TAIPEI (TVBS News) — With major tech companies consistently releasing new phones and computers every year, the disposal of old devices has become a significant concern for consumers.
While some choose to store their old gadgets in drawers, numerous businesses are now urging them to recycle their technology, not only earning a bit of extra cash but also aiding the environment.
Growing environmental awareness has resulted in an increase in such practices, leading to profitable opportunities for some.
A CEO of an electronics recycling business, Yang Chia-hsing revealed that since 2020, the annual growth of their business has been around 50% to 100%. "With the iPhone 15 coming out, we estimate about 1.8 million iPhone 12 units currently in the market," Yang said.
"If roughly 30% of those phones end up in the second-hand market, then the revenue from the recycled gadgets is expected to be around NT$800 million."
Reports from Apple indicate that producing a single iPhone emits 63.64 kilograms of CO2. If a mere 172 old phones are recycled, and their usage extended by just one year, a reduction of 10.96 metric tons of CO2 is achieved. This is comparable to the carbon dioxide absorbed by around 2,000 trees in a 1-hectare woodland per year.
The head of purchasing for an electronics store Lee Hsin-yen said, "If we don't recycle our 3C products that are not in use anymore, they might be discarded and reenter the market, leading to secondary pollution and significant environmental damage."
According to the Environmental Protection Administration, approximately 6 million new phones are sold annually in Taiwan, yet the recycling rate remains at a mere 5%.
As businesses strive to meet their ESG goals, consumers can also contribute by making small efforts to decrease pollution and carbon emissions in their own ways.