A Gap Analysis in Selected Asian Countries, 3R Knowledge Hub ...

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3R Gap Analysis and Findings
The sales of electrical home appliances such as
televisions, refrigerators, washing machines
and air conditioners continued to increase
from 5.6 million units in 1990 to 7.8 million
units in 2000, accounting for a 40% growth. In
2000– 2004, sales decreased to 5.8 million
units, with a reduction of 25%. The reason for
this decrease is mainly attributed to the
saturation of households with the appliances.
The highest rates of obsolescence among the
four waste items were obtained during 2000–
2005 at 19% and 14% for air conditioners and
Televisions respectively. The volume of home
appliances collected and treated in Korea is
presented in the figure below.
E-Waste Recycling and disposal in Korea
Source: www.3rkh.net
In 2006, the Government of Korea fixed
mandatory recycling rates for Televisions (13%),
refrigerators (13%), washing machines (23%)
etc. Moreover, for mobile phones, audio
equipments, copy machines and facsimiles the
rate of mandatory recycling was fixed at 15%,
13%, 8% and 8%, respectively.
After the establishment of recycling centers by
the electronics industry in 1998 in Korea,
treatment and recycling has been continuing for
waste such as refrigerators, washing machines
and air conditioners. Recycling centers are now
being operated at three locations by three major
electronic companies, handling a total amount
of 880,000 units/year.
Findings
The recycling of waste electronic home
appliances has been performed successfully,
due to the implementation of the EPR system in
2003. Three main items: refrigerators, washing
machines and air conditioners, are being
recycled at the recycling centers established by
domestic electronic companies, and Televisions
are being commissioned to private CRT
recyclers.
Korea has enforced the Extended Producer
Responsibility (EPR) Law since 2003. The law
mandates that manufacturers, distributors and
importers of consumer goods such as airconditioners,
televisions and personal
computers achieve the official recycling
targets or pay financial penalty.
GAPS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF 3R
TECHNOLOGY GAPS
Korea is one of the Asian countries with
tremendous economic growth rates on par
with some of the nations in the European
Union. The country has been able to
achieve its development goals through the
use of appropriate technology. The
rightful use of appropriate and advanced
technology has helped the country be
pioneers in semiconductors, wireless
telecommunication equipments, motor
vehicles, computers, steel, ships and
petrochemicals. The upstream manufacturing in
Korea adopts advanced technologies. However,
an assessment of technologies in downstream
waste handling and disposal is essential to
implement 3R-based solutions. The table
presents an overview of the technologies used
for waste management in Korea.
MANAGEMENT ASPECTS
Korea is the second Asian country to be a
member of the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development. The country
became an official member in 1996. This clearly
indicates that the country has been adopting
proactive management and technological
measures aimed at developing its economic
status. With well-defined policies, enforced
legislation and international cooperation
initiatives, the country has been progressing at a
steady pace.