The development of WEEE management and effects of the fund policy for subsidizing WEEE treating in China

•The paper systematically introduces recycling system of WEEE management in China.•The paper introduces the new policy about WEEE management in China.•This paper analyzes the results of its implementation.•This paper evaluates the effectiveness to WEEE management in China.

The consumption of electrical and electronic equipment is surging, so is the generation of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Due to the large quantity, high potential risk and valuable capacity of WEEE, many countries are taking measures to regulate the management of WEEE. The environmental pollution and human health-harming problems caused by irregular treatment of WEEE in China make the government pay more and more attention to its management. This paper reviews the development of WEEE management in China, introduces the new policy which is established for WEEE recycling and especially analyzes the effectiveness of the policy, including huge recovery, formation of new recycling system, strict supervision to related enterprises, and the stimulation to public awareness. Based on the current achievement, some recommendations are given to optimize the WEEE management in China.