What is the "hidden tsunami" of e-waste from the United States?

The report by the Basel Action Network (BAN) found that millions of tons of discarded electronics from the U.S., including phones and computers, are being illegally exported to developing countries in Southeast Asia, often in violation of international laws.

How is the e-waste from the U.S. impacting Southeast Asian countries?

The influx of toxic waste, containing harmful substances like lead, cadmium, and mercury, is overwhelming the recipient countries, which are ill-equipped to handle it. Much of the e-waste ends up in informal scrapyards, where workers dismantle the devices without protection, releasing toxic fumes and polluting the local environment.

Home / Environment / Toxic Tsunami: U.S. E-Waste Floods Developing Asian Nations

Toxic Tsunami: U.S. E-Waste Floods Developing Asian Nations

Q: Which U.S. companies were identified as exporting e-waste?

The report named 10 U.S. companies, including Attan Recycling, Corporate eWaste Solutions, and Greenland Resource, that have been shipping hazardous electronic waste overseas.

22 Oct

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Summary

Millions of tons of U.S. e-waste shipped to unprepared Asian countries
10 U.S. companies identified as exporting e-waste in violation of laws
Hazardous materials like lead, cadmium, and mercury pollute local environments

Toxic Tsunami: U.S. E-Waste Floods Developing Asian Nations

In October 2025, a new report by the environmental watchdog Basel Action Network (BAN) exposed a concerning trend of U.S. electronic waste being shipped overseas, primarily to developing countries in Southeast Asia. According to the investigation, millions of tons of discarded electronics from the United States, including phones, computers, and other devices, are being exported each month, often in violation of international laws.

The report identified 10 U.S. companies, including Attan Recycling, Corporate eWaste Solutions, and Greenland Resource, that have been exporting these hazardous materials to countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. These shipments, which BAN describes as a "hidden tsunami" of e-waste, are padding the profits of the electronics recycling industry while causing significant environmental harm in the recipient nations.