Waste Management & Recycling
HIWIN is dedicated to preventing, reducing, and reusing waste, and has incorporated recycling goals into its procurement, product design, and manufacturing processes. By conducting regular waste project meetings and actively promoting the ISO 14001:2015 environmental management systems, HIWIN consistently evaluates strategies for reducing waste at its source and develops plans for waste reduction. The ultimate objective is to achieve zero waste by effectively managing and continuously reducing waste through enhanced recycling and reuse practices. HIWIN handles both general and hazardous business waste and follows a waste management procedure-based control system. The Company's long-term vision is to strengthen recycling and reuse efforts, thereby achieving efficient waste management and ongoing waste reduction to facilitate resource reuse. Additionally, HIWIN has adopted the five major principles of waste management to minimize waste production, lower carbon emissions, and work towards the long-term goal of zero waste.
Waste Resources
In 2022, HIWIN generated a total of 11,594 metric tons (MT) of waste, consisting of 11,245 MT of general industrial waste and 349 MT of hazardous industrial waste. The waste generated was managed through recycling, reuse, and direct treatment methods such as incineration and landfill. Specifically, 8,970 MT of general industrial waste were treated for reuse, accounting for 77% of the total waste generated. This represents a 10% decrease in the utilization rate compared to 2021. The decrease in the reuse rate can be attributed to the treatment of waste acid solution using Type R, which was later found to exceed the legal standards for TCLP (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure) during the annual regular inspection. Consequently, the waste solution had to be classified as hazardous industrial waste, resulting in a decline in the overall reuse rate. To address this issue, HIWIN has planned to establish internal waste acid treatment equipment in 2023. This initiative is expected to achieve the reduction target and increase the reuse rate.
Source Reduction Measures
At HIWIN, waste management adheres to the principles of recycling and reusing. We regularly conduct life cycle assessments for various stages, including raw materials, products, shipping, packaging, etc., to prevent ineffective waste treatment caused by environmental impacts.
Highlight Case - Reduction of Packaging Materials
In 2019, we received client' feedback concerning about the environmental impact and lack of effective recycling options for the foaming agents used in our packaging materials. Following an internal review and improvement process, the HIWIN team has made the switch to using EPE (Expandable Polyethylene) plastic pads and paper pads as alternatives to the foamed material for packaging. Since 2019, we have actively explored new methods, such as utilizing vacuum packaging machines, cardboard paper, and EPE foam in combination to reinforce cardboard boxes. Originally, we had planned to complete these improvements in the second quarter of 2022. However, due to equipment introduction delays caused by the pandemic outbreak, Jingke Factory 2 is now expected to complete this initiative by the end of June 2023.
The entire manufacturing process for the packaging material reduction project has been designed with life cycle concepts in mind. Each stage, from design to disposal, has been integrated with green designs, resulting in significant reductions in waste disposal costs for our customers. This approach creates a win-win situation. From 2019 to 2022, we have achieved a cumulative reduction of 103,999 kg.
Highlight Case - Reduction of Wastewater Sludge
In order to reduce the sludge produced by wastewater treatment equipment, HIWIN has invested in relevant equipment to reduce the volume since 2019, and has achieved benefits of more than 50% every year. In 2022, due to factors such as equipment repairs and surrounding road construction, the operation of the moving line was suspended, and the reduction effect was less; normal operations will resume in the second half of 2022, and 173 tons have been reduced from 2019 to 2022, saving US$33.5 thousand in cleanup costs. In 2023, relevant equipment will continue to be introduced for the reduction.
Circular Economy Promoting
The circular economy is a crucial global environmental concern. Given the challenges of limited resources and waste management, prominent companies have devised strategies to transition towards a circular economy. HIWIN has actively pursued waste reduction initiatives and implemented recycling programs, including the recycling and treatment of cable carriers and discarded grinding wheels. Moving forward, we will also request that our suppliers establish waste reduction and recycling goals.
(1) Highlight Case I: Chainge Cable Carrier Recycling Program
HIWIN actively collaborates with suppliers and industrial partners. In December 2022, HIWIN became a participant in the igus "Chainge Cable Carrier Recycling Program." This program effectively repurposes plastic waste into other valuable commodities, such as potted plants, thereby reducing the amount of idle products and materials wasted and minimizing the CO 2 emissions associated with plastics. HIWIN has successfully recycled a total of 8.4 kg of materials. It is important to note that cable carriers are not considered ordinary waste and will continue to be recycled in this manner in the future.
(2) Highlight Case II: Waste Reuse
In 2022, HIWIN repurposed scrapped grinding wheels by transforming them into bricks or cement mixtures, resulting in the reuse of 85.07 MT. Additionally, the Company outsourced sludge mixtures for reuse in asphalt cement mixtures or cement products, amounting to 2,284.13 MT. Non-hazardous furnace dust and waste oil mixtures were also outsourced for reuse, being cured and utilized as cement products and mixtures. The waste oil mixture underwent processing to become recycled oil and auxiliary fuel products.
Waste Management and Reuse
HIWIN has consistently relied on reputable vendors, approved by environmental protection agencies, to handle the disposal of waste generated from its operations. These vendors are selected through a joint effort between the Environmental Protection Dept. and the Procurement Dept., based on six key criteria such as size/reputation, licensing documents, violation records, on-site facilities, waste control, safety and health, etc. Once a contract is established, HIWIN outsources the removal, treatment, and management of waste to these vendors.
In 2022, HIWIN engaged the services of 20 qualified waste removal vendors and trained 36 vendor personnel who met HIWIN's on-site contract worker training requirements. Throughout the year, we identified one violation and worked closely with the contract workers and vendors to ensure necessary improvements were made. HIWIN's outsourced waste removal and treatment procedures strictly adhere to the regulations set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Our factories have implemented an audit system to monitor these processes. Each unit within the factories is responsible for collecting and categorizing its own waste, which is then transported to a designated storage site for stockpiling. Qualified waste removal vendors are promptly notified by assigned personnel to remove the waste from the factories.