The purpose of this project is to examine and then propose improvement suggestions on the operation of the national recycling system for waste electrical and electronic equipments in Taiwan. There are three aspects of concern in this project: the “hidden flow” of the waste recycling, the performance of the official system and the potential of establishing private recycling schemes in the future. To investigate on the “hidden flow,” or, the non-official recycling system, we have interviewed the local sanitary squad personnel, recyclable waste collectors and home appliance retailers through the country. Also for the evaluation on all registered recycling treatment plants, the analysis on their management structure, income sources and environmental management performance by means of the regulations of ISO 14030 have been completed. To clarifying the possibility of establishing private recycling schemes, we also interviewed 15 electrical and electronic equipment manufacturers and importers, mostly the major brand name companies in the domestic market. Through this project, the major achievements include a clearer picture of waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling situation, in both official and non-official sides, the improvement suggestions in financing and management for the registered recycling agents, and, the agreement among leading electrical and electronic equipment production companies to establish private recycling schemes. We also suggest strategy and feasible policy of further evolution of the recycling systems in Taiwan to the Environmental Projection Administration.

Recycling Policy, Environmental Management, Extended Producer Responsibility, Private Recycling Scheme