Waste Management and 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 2023, HIWIN generated a total of 10,069 t of waste, consisting of 9,594 t of general industrial waste and 475 t of hazardous industrial waste. The waste generated was managed through recycling, reuse, and direct treatment methods such as incineration and landfill. Specifically 8,169 t of general industrial waste were treated for reuse, accounting for 81% of total waste generated. This improvement is due to the reduction of sludge mixtures and scrapped grinding wheels being sent to landfills or for incineration and being recycled instead. Additionally, we improved the storage classification of furnace dust and established control measures. As a result, the reuse rate increased by 4% compared to 2022.
The intensity of general industrial waste in 2023 increased by 0.04% compared to 2022, while the total volume decreased by 13.2% compared to the previous year. We plan to continue improving waste reduction efforts in 2024, with the introduction of sludge dewatering equipment in the second half of the year to further reduce waste. The intensity of hazardous industrial waste in 2023 increased by 50% compared to 2022, with the total volume also rising by 36%. This was primarily due to the delay in installing hazardous waste acid treatment equipment, which is now expected to be completed and operational in the first quarter of 2024. Once operational, it is anticipated to reduce the total volume of hazardous industrial waste by approximately 60%.
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.
Circular Economy Promoting
The circular economy is one of the key environmental issues of global concern, with major companies introducing strategies to spearhead their transition toward a circular economy. As HIWIN promotes source reduction and resource recycling projects, we also require our suppliers to set targets for waste reduction and recycling.
Waste Vendor Audits and Guidance
HIWIN’s operational waste has consistently been outsourced to government-qualified vendors selected by our Environmental Protection Department and Purchasing Department, based on six key screening criteria. After contract signing, these vendors handle waste removal, processing, and flow management. Only vendors scoring 60 points or above in our evaluation are added to the list of qualified vendors. In 2023, we added six new vendors, bringing the total to 16. Of these, four were rated as average and 12 as excellent.
In 2023, all waste disposal personnel from HIWIN’s qualified vendors received in-house contractor training for entering HIWIN facilities. Waste disposal is reported in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Environment. Within our facilities, we have an audit system, and each department is responsible for sorting and transporting waste to designated storage areas. Qualified waste removal vendors are then notified by designated personnel to clear and remove the waste from HIWIN facilities.