Key Social Impacts of Electronics Production and WEEE-Recycling in China

Undeniably, the electronics industry is highly relevant for the Chinese economy and seems to continue being important in the future. Nevertheless there are an ongoing discussions on the social and environmental sustainability of this sector in China and worldwide. These discussions mainly address labour issues, health and safety and environmental pollution in production, product use and end-of life treatment. This study shall contribute to objectify the discussion on social sustainability of the Chinese electronics industry by systematically analysing positive and negative social impacts during electronics production and end-of-life treatment in China. Thereby the study shall provide a basis to identify intervention strategies for increasing the overall social performance of electronic products.