Illegal Exports of Electronic Waste From European Union on Rise, Agency Says

COPENHAGEN—Between 250,000 and 1.3 million metric tons of used electrical products are illegally exported from the European Union every year, the European Environment Agency (EEA) said in a report released Nov. 6.

The report, Movements of Waste Across the EU’s Internal and External Borders, warned that the illegal trade in waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) will likely continue to grow unless more effective policy measures are implemented. Trade in general hazardous and nonhazardous waste is also expected to grow, the report said.

According to the report, strict waste disposal rules in the European Union have led to more ...