If proof was needed of the illegal export of electrical items to developing countries, the Environment Agency has just completed a two-year investigation leading to the arrests of nine people.
The Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 2007 and European Waste Shipment Regulations 2006 state that broken electricals such as old mobile phones, TVs and laptops cannot be sent overseas to be disposed of.
The investigation found that the waste was being exported from the UK to West Africa.
Andy Higham from the Environment Agency said: “Exporters of broken electricals put at risk the lives of those who work on waste sites in developing countries. These are often children who are paid a pittance to dismantle products containing hazardous waste. Illegal exporters also avoid the costs of recycling in the UK and undermine law-abiding business. It is always a crime to export broken electricals and hazardous waste from the UK to developing countries to be dumped. The last thing we want is our waste causing harm to people or the environment overseas.”
Mobile phones and smart phones contain precious metals such as gold, copper and aluminium, as well as hazardous substances such as mercury and lead, that when not disposed of responsibly are harmful to the environment and local people.