US Electronic Waste Flooding Asian Markets in Multi-Billion Dollar Trade, Watchdog Reveals

Massive E-Waste Export Operation Uncovered

American electronic waste is creating an environmental crisis across Southeast Asia through a multi-billion dollar export industry that ships approximately 2,000 containers monthly to developing nations, according to reports from environmental investigators. The Basel Action Network (BAN), a Seattle-based watchdog organization, conducted a two-year investigation that revealed systematic exportation of discarded electronics to countries including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Massive E-Waste Export Operation Uncovered
Scale and Value of the Trade
Key Companies and Their Responses
Environmental and Health Concerns
Global Context and Regulatory Gaps
Tracking the Waste Stream

Scale and Value of the Trade

Sources indicate that around 33,000 metric tons of e-waste leaves United States ports each month, with the total trade reportedly exceeding $200 million monthly across the industry. Analysis of trade data suggests that between January 2023 and February 2025, ten identified companies exported e-waste valued at over $1 billion. The report states that US e-waste shipments constituted approximately six percent of all American exports to Malaysia during this period.

Key Companies and Their Responses

Investigators identified several prominent companies allegedly involved in the trade, including Corporate eWaste Solutions, Semsotai, First America Metal Corp., and PPM Recycling. These entities are described as “e-waste brokers” who ship discarded electronics rather than recycling them domestically. According to the report, most companies named have declined to comment, though Semsotai denied exporting scrap and accused BAN of bias, while PPM Recycling claimed the organization exaggerated shipment volumes.

Environmental and Health Concerns

The exported materials include discarded phones, computers, and other electronics containing hazardous substances like lead, cadmium, and mercury. Analysts suggest this represents a significant environmental threat to receiving countries, where recycling infrastructure may be inadequate to handle such volumes safely. “Malaysia suddenly became this mecca of junk,” said Jim Puckett of BAN, describing the investigation’s findings.

Global Context and Regulatory Gaps

The investigation highlights a critical regulatory gap: the United States remains the only industrialized nation that hasn’t ratified the Basel Convention, an international treaty governing hazardous waste trade. This means American exporters aren’t bound by the same restrictions that prevent other developed nations from shipping e-waste to developing countries. Meanwhile, global e-waste generation continues to outpace recycling capacity, with the United Nations reporting 62 million metric tons produced in 2022 alone.

Tracking the Waste Stream

Investigators used tracking devices to follow e-waste containers to multiple destinations beyond Malaysia, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates. The report comes amid growing concern about electronics consumption and disposal patterns worldwide, with environmental groups calling for stricter controls on the international waste trade.