New smart phones come out every year, and 5 million phones are sold in Taiwan every year. A cell phone contains many chemical elements in its parts, and recycling helps reduce mining for new materials and CO2 emissions. In Taiwan, however, only 12% of cell phones are recycled. Seeing this, MOENV’s Resource Circulation Administration (RECA) has announced regulations on cell phone recycling, mandating cell phone manufacturers, importers and retailers to take responsibility for recycling. It is hoped that old phones can be reutilized afterwards and that enterprises come up with circular services, such as cell phone rental or repairs. The regulations will be in effect on 1 January 2025.
Cell phone recycling and circular use are promoted to keep the recycling action going by including services such as cell phone recycling and rental and old phone buybacks or repairs. Starting from 2026, relevant enterprises shall produce annual reports on the cell phone recycling rate of the previous year, which shall be 15% or higher. Those who fail with the recycling rate shall propose an improvement plan, and failure to achieve the required rate in the next year will be subject to a penalty of NT$30,000 to 150,000 according to the Resource Recycling Act.