Effects of fund policy incorporating Extended Producer Responsibility for WEEE dismantling industry in China

Abstract Irregular treatment of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) causes significant environmental pollution and negative human health effects. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is used to extend the responsibility of electrical and electronic product producers and make WEEE dismantling safe and environmentally friendly. This study provides a thorough analysis of the effects of Fund policy for subsidizing WEEE dismantling by applying an evaluation framework including relevance, impact, effectiveness, efficiency, acceptability, equity, flexibility and sustainability with data gathered from a total of 109 certified treatment enterprises. Results reveal that Fund policy designs flexible directory and standards, dismantling qualification licensing institution and subsidy audit institution render the policy significantly adaptable to the changes of the WEEE dismantling industry. Moreover, Fund policy represents an effective way to make WEEE dismantling industry larger and improve its standardization, and can balance the losses and make dismantling enterprises profitable via subsidies.