A Statistical Analysis of Recycling Cost for Waste Home Appliances

On July 5, 1997, environmental Protection Administration of Taiwan publicized the recycling regulation of waste home appliances that include four items, namely, television, refrigerator, washing machine, and air conditioner. It is believed that this regulation pioneers the law enforcement of waste home appliances in the world. To comply with tile policy, several contemporary waste disposal plants specialized in waste home appliances were established according to a follow-up technical specification oil the waste treatment facilities and methodology. Therefore, the traditional dismantling facilities were substituted and waste collection routes were altered as well accordingly. This study investigates the collection and recycling costs of waste home appliances in accordance with these newly established routes and facilities, respectively. Cost survey was conducted among collectors and recycling plants of waste home appliances; consequently, tire collection and recycling costs were analyzed, correspondingly. Results show that the recycling costs of waste home appliances were much higher than that of other waste items. Since the market share of recycled materials is lacking, these waste recycling plants of home appliances can only survive under the subsidy of EPA in Taiwan. Due to some arduous problems, the subsidiary system has already caused serious financial unbalance for a foundation under EPA of Taiwan, which associated with waste recycling in Taiwan.