Vietnam's Informal E-waste Recycling Market Thrives Amid Global Surge

As global e-waste production soars, informal recyclers in Vietnam's Nhat Tao market provide crucial, albeit hazardous, waste management solutions.

Informal recyclers in Vietnam's Nhat Tao market are crucial in managing the growing global e-waste, projected to reach 82 million metric tons by 2030.
Workers like Dam Chan Nguyen repair and salvage electronics, contributing to resource recovery but facing health risks due to exposure to toxic materials.
The market reflects a broader issue where less than a quarter of global e-waste is formally recycled, with the rest often handled by informal sectors.
Efforts to integrate informal recyclers with formal systems are emerging, aiming to improve safety and efficiency in resource recovery.
Vietnam's national plan targets collecting and treating 70% of its e-waste by 2025, highlighting the significant role of informal workers in achieving this goal.