E-waste is overflowing landfills. At one sprawling Vietnam market, workers recycle some of it

In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Nhat Tao Market operates as a major hub for recycling e-waste, where workers like Dam Chan Nguyen salvage and refurbish old electronics. This informal recycling market is crucial as global e-waste production hits record levels, with 62 million metric tons in 2022 and an expected increase to 82 million by 2030. Despite the growing waste, less than a quarter is properly recycled, often due to the lack of formal collection systems in Southeast Asia.

The market's bustling activity underscores a larger issue: the rapid accumulation of e-waste in landfills, which poses environmental and health risks due to toxic chemicals. Informal recyclers like Nguyen play a key role in mitigating these risks by maximizing the reuse and recycling of electronic components. However, their work is often hazardous and lacks formal recognition or support, highlighting the need for better integration of informal workers into official recycling efforts to improve both efficiency and worker safety.