Global Take Back Service
Performance
30
Countrieswere provided with ASUS recycling service in 2023
82
%of the sales market worldwide was provided with recycling service in 2023
13
%total weight of e-waste was recycled worldwide in 2023
On the other hand, e-waste contains high-value or critical raw materials. If these raw materials are properly recycled, reused and processed, a green circular industry can be formed through the resource regeneration process, which has great impact on economic development, human rights and environmental protection.
Furthermore, the "2022 Report on the Transboundary Movement of Electronic Waste" delves deeper into the global flow of transboundary electronic waste. It reveals that the handling of electronic waste is often unknown, with the majority being disposed of, traded, or recycled in non-compliant or environmentally harmful ways. It is recommended that governments and businesses strengthen international supervision, management, and cooperation to enhance the efficiency of resource recycling. With the establishment of robust regulatory frameworks, ensuring proper treatment of electronic waste is essential.
Global Take Back Service
ASUS supports the circular economy based on its producer responsibility. We meet the waste recycling regulations in each country, and have created free product recycling services in major sales markets including Greater China, Europe, the Americas, India, and Oceania. We established the ASUS Hardware Recycling Guidelines with stricter requirements than laws and regulations. We use this to ensure that waste can be disassembled into resources with value for reuse and prevent inappropriate disposal or illegal processing.
Recycling Company Management Regulations
Recycling companies in collaboration with ASUS must comply with the Basel Convention and meet the qualifications recognized by the local government or internationally recognized electronic waste recycling standards. To prevent the severe impact on human health and environmental pollution caused by inappropriate disposal, the company established the " ASUS Hardware Recycling Guidelines " based on international recycling standards. We also established three recycling company management procedures that include new supplier approval, continuous risk management, and performance evaluation.
Certified Partners
Certicate requirements: ISO 14001
Recycler qualifications: international recycler standards such as e-Stewards/ Responsible Recycling (R2)/ WEELABEX, or proof of compliance with local governments
Continue to Monitor
Annual audit: conduct on-site or document audits in accordance with international recycler standards
Evaluation of Results
Manufacturers that do not pass the audit will be replaced
Key Points for the Audit and Management of Recycling Companies
Management of downstream companies and compliance
Verify that first-tier recycling companies have contractual relationships with downstream companies to ensure compliance with local and international regulations.
Plant environment and operational safety
They must have work environment protection systems to ensure the safety of employees.
Management system
They must have environmental, health, and safety management plans.
Waste storage environment
Ensure the appropriate storage of e-waste and materials with substances of very high concern.
Hazardous material handling and tracking
Ensure that hazardous materials are appropriately handled and tracked to their final destination.
Documentation and management of records
Ensure that recycling companies retain all necessary documentation and records to prove their compliance status.
Labor rights
Ensure that employees are not forced laborers, prisoners, or children, and that employees are treated equally and provided with due benefits.
In 2023, ASUS conducted 15 annual audits on recycling vendors and found no significant deficiencies. The main issues identified were incomplete document and record management. Under the requirement to provide improvement plans within 30 days and complete the improvements within three months, all identified issues were successfully rectified.
