On October 15, 2021, the Center for Statistics and Science and Technology Information of HoChiMinh City organized an online workshop to analyze technology trends "E-waste treatment". 

The workshop aims to provide information on technology trends for e-waste treatment and recycling in the world on the basis of analysis of patent data. It also introduces existing technologies that are ready to  transfer to serve the process of treatment and recycling of these types of waste in Vietnam. Experts will participate in answering and providing direct advice to managers, researchers and businesses to have an overview of the trend of e-waste treatment technology in the world and in Vietnam, as well as the method of application and deployment in practice.

At the seminar, the technology solutions include: Printed circuit board recycling technology presented by Mr. Huynh Trung Hai - Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Hanoi University of Technology; Circuit board incinerator and metal recycling in electronic waste treatment presented by Mr. Le Van Lu - University of Natural Resources and Environment of Ho Chi Minh City; Some gold recycling solutions and application of adsorbent materials in e-waste recycling technology presented  by Mr. Trieu Quoc An - Faculty of Food and Environmental Engineering, Nguyen Tat Thanh University; Technology to recover Yttrium and Europi from fluorescent lamps after use by Mr. Ha Vinh Hung - Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology; Solution for handling and recycling electronic components presented by Mr. Hoang Xuan Duong - HiTech Vietnam Technology Development Joint Stock Company; The Vietnam recycling program was presented by Ms. Mai Thi Thu Hang - Reverse Logistics Vietnam Co., Ltd.

According to statistics of the United Nations Environment Program, each Vietnamese person generates an average of 1.3kg of e-waste per year, equivalent to 116,000 tons. Consumer electronics such as televisions, computers, peripherals, audio equipment, phones, etc. account for 2% of the total waste today. Although the number is very small, the risk and toxicity of these types of waste is not small. Electrical and electronic devices contain different materials, components and chemicals. These substances are completely harmless throughout the life of the device. However, they become extremely toxic when the equipment is dismantled or opened for unprofessional disposal such as lead, mercury, etc. These substances can penetrate deep into the ground and groundwater, causing seriously affect human health. They also leave unpredictable consequences for the environment. Thus, environmental experts say that waste collection programs and waste treatment technology in a safe and scientific way are extremely urgent, especially in big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Quang, most of e-waste is collected and dismantled in an irregular manner and only focuses on recovering materials that are easily recoverable and recyclable (such as some metals), the rest is destroyed or brought to solid waste landfills. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the capacity of recycling and collection from the community. The circular economy-oriented electronic waste management solution introduces the technological process of metal separation and recovery from electronic circuit boards (PCBs).

According to Mr. Le Van Lu, Technological solutions about Circuit board incinerator and metal recycling in electronic waste treatment is the result of scientific and technological research tasks (implemented at the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City), allowing the recycling of e-waste by the highly efficient incineration method. This also allows quick and abundant recovery of precious metals.

After the presentation of leading experts on technological solutions in e-waste treatment, there was a discussion and answer session of experts with online attendees nationwide.