ASUS India has unveiled the third edition of its #DiscardResponsibly campaign in celebration of International E-Waste Day.
This initiative aims to educate the public and provide responsible options for disposing of electronic waste (e-waste). The campaign emphasizes the necessity for cooperation between businesses and consumers to tackle the escalating e-waste crisis.
Rising E-Waste Concerns
A recent report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) indicates that India has seen a 163% increase in e-waste production between 2010 and 2022. This alarming rise suggests that, without timely intervention, the e-waste issue could escalate similarly to the plastic waste crisis.
To address this, ASUS India has launched a microsite and a dedicated helpline to assist users in responsibly disposing of e-waste and to schedule pickups from their homes or offices.
E-Waste Day Focus: “Join the E-Waste Hunt”
The theme for International E-Waste Day 2024 is “Join the e-waste hunt – retrieve, recycle, and revive!” This initiative encourages individuals to locate and recycle unused electronics that often hold valuable materials. Items to consider recycling include:
- Power tools
- Electric toothbrushes
- Electronic toys
- Smartwatches and fitness bands
- Earbuds and AirPods
- Smart home devices
- USB drives
- Card readers
- Gaming consoles
- Cables and plugs
E-Waste Statistics
ASUS emphasizes critical statistics about e-waste:
- 57.4 million metric tonnes of e-waste were generated worldwide in 2021.
- E-waste grows by 2 million tonnes annually.
- Over 347 million tonnes of e-waste remained unrecycled in 2022.
- China, the U.S., and India are the largest e-waste producers.
- Only 17.4% of e-waste is effectively collected and recycled.
Importance of Recycling
ASUS India highlights the importance of recycling to mitigate the environmental hazards posed by outdated electronics.
The UN’s General E-Waste Monitor states that 62 billion kilograms of e-waste were generated globally in 2022, expected to rise to 82 billion kilograms by 2030. ASUS noted that e-waste generation has been growing five times faster than formal recycling efforts since 2010.
ASUS’s Commitment to a Circular Economy
Beyond the #DiscardResponsibly campaign, ASUS is committed to promoting a circular economy in India. The company launched the ASUS Select Store in 2023, featuring refurbished ASUS products at discounted rates, along with a one-year warranty.
Additionally, more than 50 ASUS stores will host awareness campaigns to educate customers about e-waste disposal. Customers purchasing laptops will receive a planting kit to encourage environmentally friendly practices.
ASUS India also strives to minimize e-waste by using post-industrial recycled materials in its products. The newly launched ASUS Zenbook Duo and ASUS Zenbook S 13 OLED laptops contain a significant percentage of recycled aluminum and magnesium-aluminum alloy.
How to Participate in the Collection Drive
To facilitate e-waste disposal, ASUS India has set up a toll-free helpline at 1800 2090 365 and a dedicated portal at asus.com/in.
Consumers can learn about proper e-waste disposal methods and schedule collection pickups from October 12 to October 31, 2024. ASUS representatives will collect e-waste from specified locations.
Speaking about the launch of the #DiscardResponsibly campaign, Eric Ou, Country Head of ASUS India, shared,
The journey toward sustainability isn’t just a gradual progression but a bold transformation. At ASUS, we understand that the choices we make today, along with the practices we adopt, are powerful steps in that direction. Every day, we are committed to delivering the highest quality products while simultaneously reducing our environmental impact. This involves creating innovative products that benefit both consumers and the planet, integrating design, technology, and sustainability.
As part of our goal to achieve a global recycling rate of 20% for ASUS products, we are thrilled to launch the third edition of our #DiscardResponsibly campaign. This initiative aims to spark a conversation and raise awareness about the importance of responsibly retrieving, recycling, and potentially reviving electronic products. We believe this campaign will encourage ASUS consumers to actively contribute to India’s e-waste circular economy, fostering a greener and more sustainable future for our planet.