Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The development and prospects of the waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling system in Taiwan

  • REGIONAL CASE STUDY
  • Published:
Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Since the European Union (EU) promulgated the Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (January 2003) on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in 2002, various governments around the world have developed WEEE recycling systems and promoted the concept of extended producer responsibility (EPR). In 1997, the Taiwan government has implemented the 4-in-1 Recycling Program, which uses recycling funds as its financial base. The following year 1998, the program incorporated a WEEE-based recycling managerial system, which involves confirming the payers of the recycling funds and slightly adjusting the relevant recycling measures to effectively estimate the number of electrical and electronic equipment items produced on a yearly basis and their annual recycling volumes. These statistics ensure the effective management of WEEE. This study explored the development of Taiwan’s WEEE recycling system and proposed improvements to the system. The current findings provide a reference for other state governments to establish their own WEEE recycling systems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ma H-K, Cheng C-P, Wu C-L (2009) The mechanism of WEEE recycling and treatment in Taiwan 4th World Recycling Forum Shanghai ‘09, ICM, Shanghai, China

  2. Wu C-L, Wang C-H, Wu J (2009) The innovaton of recycling system for waste household appliances and waste electronics IT objects. EPA-98-HA14-03-A177, SGS Taiwan Corporation, Taipei, ROC (Taiwan) (in Chinese)

  3. Balde K, Wang F, Ruediger K, Huisman J (2015) The Global E-waste Mointor 2014. United Nations University, IAS-SCYCLE, Bonn, Germany http://i.unu.edu/media/unu.edu/news/52624/UNU-1stGlobal-E-Waste-Monitor-2014-small.pdf

  4. Marketsandmarkets (2015) E-waste management market by material recovery (metals, plastic, & glass), source type (household appliances, entertainment & consumer electronics, & IT & telecommunication), and by geography—forecast to 2020 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/electronic-waste-management-market-373.html

  5. Freegard K, Tan G, Morton R 2006 Develop a process to separate brominated flame retardants from WEEE polymers Final Report The Waste & Resources Action Programme, London http://www.wrapcymru.org.uk/sites/files/wrap/BrominatedWithAppendices.3712.pdf

  6. OECD (2001) Extended producer responsibility: a guidance manual for governments organisation for economic co-operation and development, Paris, France

  7. Fan K-S, lin C-C, Chang T-C (2005) Management and performance of Taiwan’s waste recycling fund. J Air Waste Manag Assoc 55:574–582

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Kojima M, Yoshida A, Sasaki S (2009) Difficulties in applying extended producer responsibility policies in developing countries: case studies in e-waste recycling in China and Thailand. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 11:263–269. doi:10.1007/s10163-009-0240-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Chung S-W, Rie M-S (2008) A comparative study on the e-waste recycling systems in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan from the ERP perpectives In: Michikazu K (ed) Promoting 3Rs in developing countries—lessons from the Japanese experience. Institute of Developing Economics, Japan

    Google Scholar 

  10. European Parliament and of the Council (2003) Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 on waste electriacal and electronic equipment (WEEE) Official Journal of the European Union

  11. Terazono A, Murakami S, Abe N, Inanc B, Moriguchi Y, Sakai S-i, Kojima M, Yoshida A, Li J, Yang J, Wong MH, Jain A, Kim I-S, Peralta GL, Lin C-C, Mungcharoen T, Williams E (2006) Current status and research on E-waste issues in Asia. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 8:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Wen L, Lee C-H, Chang S-L, Lin C-H (2003) Due-recycling articles recycle rate of clearance and disposal fees evaluation, effectiveness and review program EPA-91-HA31-03-A173 Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research, Taipei, ROC (Taiwan) (in Chinese)

  13. Xu Z (2000) Analysis of personal computer enduser recycling behavior survey, Chinese Television Network Inc., Taipei, ROC (Taiwan) (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Hung T-D, Wu C-L (2001) Integration and evaluation fo waste electrical and electronic articles recycling system EPA-90-HA31-03-90A110 Institute of Environment and Resources, Taipei, ROC (Taiwan) (in Chinese)

  15. Wey K-D, Lee C-H, Hsu E (2000) The analysis of market impacts and fee mechanism for recycling of waste glass and fluorescent lamp National Taipei University, Taipei. ROC (Taiwan) (in Chinese)

  16. Lin C-H, Cheng C. C-Y, Wen L (2003) Feasibility analysis for the expansion of the designated recycling items list of information technology and telecommunication products. EPA-92-HA31-03-A122. Institute of Environment and Resources, Taipei, ROC (Taiwan) (in Chinese)

  17. Lee T-M, Wen L, Cheng Y-W (2003) The evaluation of announcing new listed recycling items (household electronic products) and related measure set research with facilitating projects. EPA-92-HA15-03-A123, CTCI Foundation, Taipei, ROC (Taiwan) (in Chinese)

  18. Qiu W-L, Luo Y-Q (2012) Project of the suggestion of additional due-recycled items and promoting extended producer responsibility. EPA-101-HA14-03-A231, Institute of Environment and Resources, Taipei, ROC (Taiwan) (in Chinese)

  19. Shwa D, Yang C-H (2003) Institutional evolution and reconstruction of recycling management. EPA-92-HA15-03-A184, Institute of Environment and Resources, Taipei, ROC (Taiwan) (in Chinese)

  20. Jiang K-Y, Qiu W-L (2007) Project of planning resource recycling system and promoting design for environment. EPA-96-H103-02-131, Institute of Environment and Resources, Taipei, ROC (Taiwan) (in Chinese)

  21. Weeeforum (2008) WEEELABEX project. European association of electrical and electronic waste take back systems. http://www.weee-forum.org/weeelabexproject

  22. Taiwan EPA (2014) Methods and facilities standards for the recycling, storage, clearance and disposal of household applicants & information equipment articles, Taipei, ROC (Taiwan) (in Chinese)

  23. European Parliament and of the Council (2008) Directive 200/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 Novemer 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives, Official Journal of the European Union

  24. Wu J (2007) The Inspection and certification third party on due recycled waste (waste electronic and electric appliances (HA)& Information Technology (IT) Equipments EPA-96-HA13-03-A095, TÜV Rheinland Taiwan Ltd. Taipei, Taipei, ROC (Taiwan) (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Chen K-c, Huang S-h, Lian Iw (2010) The development and prospects of the end-of-life vehicle recycling system in Taiwan. Waste Manage (Oxford) 30:1661–1669

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Wen L (2005) A Study of Definition ot Waste Recycling Items and Impact Factors of Fee Settings. EPA-94-HA15-03-A085, Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research, Taipei, ROC (Taiwan) (in Chinese)

  27. Wen L, Lo S-F, Lin C-H (2007) Assistance to fee committee member’s meeting operation and review of recycling-and-treatment fee structure. EPA-96-H103-02-131, Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research, Taipei, ROC (Taiwan) (in Chinese)

  28. Lin C-h (2008) A model using home appliance ownership data to evaluate recycling policy performance. Resour Conserv Recycl 52: 1322–1328

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate Institution of Engineering Technology, National Taipei University of Technology, No. 1, Sec. 3, Zhongxiao E. Rd., Taipei, 10608, Taiwan, ROC

    Chii-Pwu Cheng & Tien-Chin Chang

  2. Institute of Environmental Engineering and Management, National Taipei University of Technology, No. 1, Sec. 3, Zhongxiao E. Rd., Taipei, 10608, Taiwan, ROC

    Tien-Chin Chang

Authors
  1. Chii-Pwu Cheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tien-Chin Chang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chii-Pwu Cheng.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Cheng, CP., Chang, TC. The development and prospects of the waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling system in Taiwan. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 20, 667–677 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-017-0612-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-017-0612-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation