Global Take-back & Recycling Policy

Midea Group provides a customized e-waste take-back and recycling service, which complies with local demands and regulatory requirements in countries with established e-waste regulations. Additionally, Midea Group voluntarily offers product take-back and recycling services in certain regions.

 

Consumers can contribute to resource conservation and avert potential environmental issues by properly disposing of Waste Electronics and Electrical Equipment (WEEE). All electrical and electronic products shall be disposed of separately from municipal waste, through designated collection facilities authorized by the government, local authorities, or qualified recyclers. For more detailed information on the disposal of your old appliances, please contact your municipal office, waste disposal service provider, or the store where you purchased the product. In addition, Midea Group provides all users with access to links directing to take-back information resources across various countries and regions on our official website.

 

Mainland China, PRC

  • Recycling Standards: The Regulations for the Administration of the Recovery and Disposal of Waste Electric and Electronic Products (No.551 Order of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China) and Green-Recycling-Appliance Recycling Service Management Scheme of Midea Group is adopted within Mainland China.
  • Recycling Scope: All product categories of Midea Group’s own brand products, and air conditioners, refrigerators, laundry appliances and TV products from other brands.
  • Recycling Methods: Recycling through offline distributors’ stores, online booking for home pick-up, mail-in, and one-stop service for dismantling and collection.
  • Recycling Locations: Midea Group collaborates with over 5,000 recycling service providers with recycling service network covering all provinces and key towns nationwide. Collection points for old appliances are established at distributors’ stores in various regions.
  • Dismantling End: Midea Group cooperates with over 50 dismantling enterprises on the national List of Enterprises Subsidized by Waste Electrical and Electronic Products Disposal Fund to achieve the procedure-based dismantling of waste appliances from various channels for resource reuse.

 

Hong Kong SAR, PRC

  • Recycling Standards: The Producer Responsibility Scheme on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WPRS) is implemented, requiring manufacturers and importers to fulfill statutory recycling obligations.
  • Recycling Scope: Covers air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, computers, printers, scanners, and monitors.
  • Recycling Methods: Free statutory removal service for regulated appliances upon new purchase; collection via licensed recyclers and community recycling centers.Recycling Locations: Collection points include retail stores, government-designated recycling centers, and the WEEE·PARK treatment facility.
  • Dismantling End: Appliances are processed at WEEE·PARK or other licensed facilities for environmentally sound dismantling and resource recovery.

 

Macau SAR, PRC

  • Recycling Standards: Governed by the “Regulation on the Management of Electrical and Electronic Equipment Waste” (Decree-Law No. 2/2017/M), aligning with EU WEEE Directive principles.
  • Recycling Scope: Includes large household appliances (e.g., refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines), small appliances, and IT equipment.
  • Recycling Methods: Collection via municipal waste collection points, scheduled pick-up services, and authorized recyclers.
  • Recycling Locations: Public collection points managed by the Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA) and authorized recycling companies.
  • Dismantling End: Waste appliances are sent to licensed dismantling and recycling facilities for proper treatment and material recovery.

 

Taiwan Province, PRC

  • Recycling Standards: Regulated under the Waste Disposal Act and the 4-in-1 Recycling Program, with mandatory recycling for designated appliances.
  • Recycling Scope: Includes televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, and IT equipment.
  • Recycling Methods: Free removal service upon new appliance delivery, drop-off at municipal recycling stations, and collection by registered recyclers.
  • Recycling Locations: Extensive network of municipal recycling stations, retail stores, and community collection points.
  • Dismantling End: Appliances are processed at certified recycling plants, with materials separated for reuse and hazardous substances safely managed.

 

Japan

  • Recycling Standards: In Japan, which imports many resources from overseas, the Home Appliance Recycling Law (Law for Recycling of Specified Household Appliances) came into effect on April 1, 2001, with the aim of ensuring the proper disposal of home appliance waste and the effective use of resources. The Home Appliance Recycling Law requires that three parties - "customers," "distributors (retailers)," and "manufacturers/importers" - share their respective roles and cooperate to carry out recycling.
  • Recycling Scope: Air conditioners, TVs, refrigerators/freezers, and washing machines/clothes dryers.
  • Recycling Methods: Customer (お客様),The consumer is responsible for handing over used appliances for recycling. They pay the recycling fee and transportation fee. Retailer (販売業者): When delivering a new appliance, retailers collect the old one from the customer. They arrange transportation to the designated collection site. Designated Collection Site (指定引取場所): These are official locations where collected appliances are temporarily stored. Managed by manufacturers/importers for proper recycling logistics. Manufacturer / Importer (製造業者・輸入業者): They organize the recycling process and ensure compliance with regulations. They transport appliances from collection sites to recycling facilities. Recycling Facility (リサイクル施設): Appliances are dismantled and processed. Valuable materials (iron, copper, aluminum) and refrigerants are recovered. Hazardous substances are safely treated.
  • Recycling Locations: Toshiba (and other manufacturers) maintain a list of designated collection points across Japan which can be searched by region via the Japan Home Appliance Recycling Center (一般財団法人家電製品協会). For site locations, use the“指定取引場所一覧”section on their website http://www.e-map.ne.jp/p/rkcsymap/
  • Highlight: Between April 1, 2024–March 31, 2025, TOSHIBA LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES CORPORATION Collected: Air conditioners: 439 K units, Refrigerators/freezers: 426K units, Washing machines/dryers: 676 K units. Achieved recycling rates: AC & washers/dryers: 91%, Refrigerators/freezers: 80%. We also recover valuable materials—iron, aluminum, copper—and refrigerants, managing separation, regeneration, and destruction.
  • Additional Information: For more information, please visit https://www.toshiba-lifestyle.com/jp/corporate/csr/recycle/

 

Southeast Asia and Oceania

  • Recycling Standards:

-Vietnam: Circular No. 30/2017/TT-BTNMT requires manufacturers/importers to take responsibility for collection and treatment of E-waste.

-Indonesia: Governed by Government Regulation No. 27/2020 on Waste Management, with extended producer responsibility for electronics.

-Malaysia: Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005 covers E-waste, with pilot take-back programs.

-Thailand: Draft E-waste management law and voluntary take-back initiatives; some regulations under Hazardous Waste Management Act.

  • Recycling Scope: Includes large and small household appliances, electronics, and IT equipment.
  • Recycling Methods: Collection via municipal programs, retailer take-back, and authorized recyclers; pilot projects in some countries.
  • Recycling Locations: Municipal collection points, retailer drop-off, and certified recycling facilities.
  • Dismantling End: Appliances are sent to licensed dismantling and recycling facilities for proper treatment and material recovery, with increasing emphasis on compliance and resource reuse.

 

Vietnam

The Law on Environmental Protection 2020 sets out requirements for a wide range of environmental issues, including the enhancement of e-waste management in Vietnam. The Government has also issued "Decree 08/2022 Detailing a Number of Articles of the Law on Environmental Protection" and "Circular 02/2022/QD-TTg Detailing the Implementation of a Number of Articles of the Law on Environmental Protection," which took effect since January 10, 2022 and requires producers/ importers to contribute financially for waste treatment of primary batteries from January 1, 2022.

 

On January 6, 2025, the Government issued "Decree No. 05/2025/NĐ-CP," which further details and supplements provisions related to extended producer responsibility (EPR) under the Law on Environmental Protection. This Decree expands requirements for producers and importers to contribute financially or self-manage e-waste recycling for rechargeable batteries and other electronic products. The recycling cost norm (Fs) for a unit weight of in-scope product or packaging has also been released under "Circular No. 07/2025/TT-BTNMT," which took effect since February 28, 2025.

 

Australia

The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS) was established in Australia in 2011. Effective since July 1, 2021, the NTCRS has been superseded by the Recycling and Waste Reduction (Product Stewardship –Televisions and Computers) Rules 2021 made under the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020, which will provide a new legislative framework to manage waste, recycling and product stewardship. Currently, the national framework covers televisions and computers, including printers, computer parts and peripherals.

 

Other Countries in Southeast Asia and Oceania

Regulators in Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and New Zealand are also gearing towards the global trend of mandating end-of-life product recycling. Discussions with regulators and industry bodies are in progress. We hope to contribute to the formulation of sustainable e-waste management policy in each country through engagement with local governments and industry associations and participation in pilot recycling projects.

 

South Asia

In India, the updated e-waste recycling law has been implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) from the April 1, 2023, with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) targets based on end-of-life (EoL) and the metal extraction post recycling of the respective e-waste.

 

The updated amended rules were introduced with an intent to focus and enhance recycling capabilities.

Further amendments to the e-waste (Management) rules 2023 defined the percentage of metals to be extracted from the collected e-waste in Metric ton and the compliance requirement needs the mentioned key metals like Mild steel, Copper, Aluminum and Gold to be extracted, post recycling of e-waste as per the percentage defined.

 

Further the Extended Producer Responsibility laws with respect to Plastic waste and Battery waste are also having clauses to ensure recyclable content being there as per the percentage defined and increasing Year on Year.

 

Europe / CIS Region

WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment): The WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU is a piece of European Union legislation aimed at reducing the environmental impact of electrical and electronic waste. It promotes the reuse, recycling, and recovery of such waste and places responsibility for disposal on producers. Midea and TEKA have proactively developed solutions to all these requirements. Midea and TEKA have a very diverse product range in Europe. To manage our WEEE compliance across the EU, it has been our policy to register directly with appropriate recycling schemes in countries where we have legal company presence.

  • Recycling Standards: Compliance with the EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, which sets minimum recycling rates and producer responsibility for collection and treatment.
  • Recycling Scope: All categories of electrical and electronic equipment, including air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, TVs, and small appliances.
  • Recycling Methods: Collection via municipal recycling centers, retailer take-back schemes, and authorized recyclers. Free take-back often provided upon purchase of new appliances.
  • Recycling Locations: Extensive network of municipal collection points, retailer drop-off locations, and certified recycling facilities.
  • Dismantling End: Appliances are processed at licensed WEEE treatment plants, where hazardous substances are removed and materials are recycled according to EU standards.

 

The responsibility for compliance with the legislation lies with each subsidiary. 

 

Spain

-    Law 7/2022 on Waste and Contaminated Soil (to separate and recover waste at source), and adhesion to the collective system of extended producer responsibility for industrial packaging (art. 38).

-    RD 110/2015 on waste electrical and electronic equipment. Management and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment with RECILEC. In Spain, if a retailer of large household appliances offers home delivery, they are required to remove the equivalent old appliance and manage its proper treatment as WEEE at no additional cost to the consumer.

  • Collection obligation: When a new appliance is delivered to the customer's home, the retailer is required to collect the old appliance of an equivalent type (for example, a washing machine for another washing machine) if the customer requests it.
  • No additional cost: This collection must be free of charge for the consumer. No charges may be made for transport or WEEE waste management.
  • Consumer information: The retailer must clearly inform the customer of their right to this free WEEE collection upon delivery of the new appliance.
  • Proper waste management: The seller must ensure that the collected WEEE is managed properly, that is, delivered to an authorized waste disposal facility or recycling center, in compliance with legal requirements.

-    Law 23/2003, of July 10, on Guarantees in the Sale of Consumer Goods. Spain offers one of the most consumer-friendly warranty laws in Europe. Since January 2022, the legal guarantee period for new products is three years—longer than the standard two years required by EU law. Additionally, consumers in Spain have up to five years to file a claim from the time a defect appears, whereas in many other countries, this presumption only applies for six months.

-    RD 1055/2022 of 27 December establishes the legal framework for packaging and packaging waste in Spain, introducing significant obligations for producers. As Teka places packaging on the Spanish market, it must comply with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which includes financing and organizing the collection, sorting, and recycling of packaging waste. Teka must also register in the national Packaging Producers Registry, provide detailed annual data (including packaging placed on the market), and ensure that all packaging is designed for recyclability and progressively incorporates recycled content (e.g., at least 25% in PET bottles).

From mid-2025, stricter requirements enter into force, including mandatory declarations of reusable versus single-use packaging, and more granular reporting—such as the use of non-returnable pallets. 

 

In Spain, repairs are carried out by external technical assistance services (TAS), which normally cover the whole sector. The SATs give priority to repairing our household appliances rather than changing them for a new one.

 

TEKA INDUSTRIAL, S.A. which is a company of Midea Group, complies with this legislation in Spain because it has adhered to SCRAP:

 

Packaging: Until 2024, ECOEMBES, and, from 2025, ECOLEC.

 

WEEE: ECOLEC

 

TEKA INDUSTRIAL, S.A. makes a Declaration every year of the packaging and electrical and electronic equipment placed on the Spanish market and pays a fee to ECOEMBES and ECOLEC.

 

In both cases we are members of a Collective System of Extended Producer Responsibility (SCRAP), in compliance with European, State and Local Regulations.

 

Please find attached the following documentation:

  • ECOLEC Packaging and WEEE Contracts
  • WEEE Prevention Plan 2024-2026

 

For example, in Sweden we are connected to the NPA (Näringslivets producent Ansvar), and we are also connected to Elkretsen. We recycle all our materials that go to waste. We use big parts of recycled materials (Like plastic and steel). We use “left over” material to new products that can be made in to like toilet signs, also purchased items like cutting board are made from scrap wood. All our products can be recycled. We have a system for Bulk packaging where we have a rotation system between us and the customer on packing material.

 

Portugal

  • Decree-Law No. 102-D/2020 (Waste Management Framework Law) establishes the general framework for waste management, emphasizing prevention, reuse, recycling, and other forms of recovery.
  • Decree-Law No. 152-D/2017 (Packaging and Packaging Waste) defines obligations for producers regarding packaging waste management, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
  • Decree-Law No. 24/2024 mandates producers to manage their packaging waste through compliant schemes by January 1, 2025.
  • Portuguese legislation adopts the principle of extended producer responsibility, assigning to the producer of EEE the responsibility for managing the waste when it reaches the end of its life. This responsibility is transferred to an integrated system, such as the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Waste Management System (SIGREEE) - Eletrão
  • The legislation sets annual targets for the collection and recovery of WEEE, which producers must meet. These targets are set based on the average weight of EEE placed on the market in the previous three years.

 

In Portugal we have a partnership with Eletrão. Electrão is an entity that manages electrical equipment waste, batteries and packaging. It was created to support companies in complying with the Extended Producer Responsibility Principle, which determines that producers, importers or packagers of these goods are responsible for ensuring their proper end-of-life.

 

In addition, in Portugal there is a recycling awareness campaign undergoing: we promote the collection and forwarding of employees' old lamps and batteries.

 

Italy

  • Piano Nazionale per l’Economia Circolare (National Plan for Circular Economy): Integrated into Italy’s Recovery and Resilience Plan, this strategy includes measures to boost sustainable product design and repair culture, including for home appliances.
  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for EEE: Italy enforces EPR under the Decree 49/2014, aligned with the WEEE Directive, but also encourages producers to innovate with sustainable design and end-of-life recovery.
  • Remade in Italy Certification: Voluntary certification for products (including appliances) made with recycled materials, helping promote circular business models.
  • Repair Bonus: A fiscal incentive introduced in 2021 encouraging citizens to repair appliances and other electronics by providing up to 50% tax credit on repair costs.

 

In the Italian market WEEE is implemented via semi-governmental entities who are assigned by the government to implement the administration. Our WEEE are manage to ERION as follows:

  • ERION WEEE – management of electrical appliances declaration
  • ERION ENERGY – management of batteries declaration
  • ERION PACKAGING - management of packaging declaration
  • CONOU – management of oil declaration
  •  

As the manufacturer, Midea is responsible for declaring to this entity on a monthly and quarterly basis (ERION WEEE and ERION PACKAGING), and a quarterly basis (ERON ENERGY) the quantity of goods put on the local market. At the end of the year, an annual declaration is made.

 

We do not have to manage the collection of products for disposal because in Italy, it is the end user who is responsible for taking the product to a dedicated disposal area.

 

MIS (Midea Italy) is compliant in making all declarations and corresponding payments. Improvement in the accuracy of our declarations for packaging data is needed (due to differences between economic value and tons of paper, plastic, wood… put on the market).

 

Germany

·       Circular Economy Act (KrWG): The German Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetz encourages waste prevention, reuse, and recycling. It transposes EU waste and product design directives and fosters producer responsibility in electronics.

·       Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG): Strengthens obligations for appliance producers, including take-back systems, public awareness, and reuse targets.

·       Right to Repair Measures (Federal plans): Germany is supporting EU-level initiatives and has proposed national incentives for repair services and refurbished products.

·       Digital Product Pass (planned): As part of the EU implementation roadmap, Germany is expected to pilot the Digital Product Passport for electronics to track environmental impacts across the life cycle.

 

In Germany, new appliances that are returned from customers’ homes also follow a flow that, from highest to lowest priority, is as follows:

a) repair and recovery

b) cheaper sale as a ‘beaten’ product

c) separation of parts for spare parts storage

d) management as waste with ECOLEC

 

In the German market WEEE is implemented via semi-governmental entities who are assigned by the government to implement the administration of:

  • EAR – recycling of appliances
  • DUALES – recycling of packaging (consumer and transport)
  • EAR – recycling of batteries

 

As a manufacturer, Midea is responsible for declaring to the relevant entities the tons placed on the local market — monthly for appliances, and annually for packaging and batteries. Subsequently, a contract with a licensed compliance scheme (take-back scheme) is required. This scheme coordinates the actual recycling operations on a pro-rata basis according to Midea’s declarations.

 

For appliances and batteries, Midea use Landbell; for consumer packaging, Gruner Punkt, and for transport, packaging Interzero. After January 2026, Midea will switch consumer packaging from Gruner Punkt to Interzero.

 

MEG (Midea Germany) ensures compliance with all required declarations and corresponding payments. Our Product Development teams are currently implementing a dedicated project to improve the accuracy of our packaging data declarations.

 

UK

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive requires EU Member States to maximise separate collection and environmentally friendly processing of WEEE. In the UK, distributors (including retailers) are required to provide a system which allows all customers buying new electrical equipment the opportunity to recycle their old items free of charge.

 

Producers of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) must play a part in managing end-of-life electrical products to protect the environment - we at MUK (Midea UK) work in partnership with Recycling Lives to ensure that electricals are responsibly recycled. Find out how you can do your part by visiting https://recyclinglives-services.com

 

GAP Group NE is one of Europe’s leading electrical waste resource management companies. Home to one of Europe’s largest cooling equipment and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) processing sites, capable of processing all types of domestic and commercial fridges, coolers, air conditioners, dryers and all small and large mixed electrical waste. At Gap Renew, we specialise in breathing new life into used appliances and consumer electronics, reducing waste. Our team of skilled technicians refurbishes and repairs these products to the highest quality standards, ensuring that they are as good as new. What we can't refurbish is recycling in our state-of-the-art facility in Gateshead. All Products 99.7% recycled.

 

France

  • Anti-Waste Law for a Circular Economy (Loi AGEC)– Law No. 2020-105:

-One of the most ambitious circular economy laws in the EU. It mandates:

-Repairability Index: Since 2021, certain appliances (e.g., washing machines, laptops, smartphones) must display a repairability score from 0 to 10 at the point of sale.

-Obligation to Provide Spare Parts: Manufacturers must ensure spare parts are available for up to 10 years and deliverable within 15 working days.

-Ban on Destruction of Unsold Goods: Unsold appliances must be reused, donated, or recycled.

-Mandatory Labelling of Environmental Impact: Progressive deployment of an "environmental score" or digital product passport is planned, covering CO₂ impact, durability, and recyclability.

  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Reinforced: France has one of the most advanced EPR schemes in Europe. It includes eco-modulated fees—producers pay lower fees if products are designed to last longer, be more easily repairable, or contain recycled content.
  • Right to Repair and Reuse Platforms: The French government supports repair networks and second-hand marketplaces, including public platforms like "Répar'Acteurs", connecting consumers with certified repair professionals.
  • Eco-organismes for WEEE: Organizations like Ecosystem and Ecologic manage collection, recycling, and reuse programs for electronic appliances under strict circularity targets.

 

North America

  • Recycling Standards: Regulations vary by state/province. In the US, many states have E-waste laws requiring manufacturer-funded recycling programs; in Canada, the Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA) oversees compliance in most provinces.
  • Recycling Scope: Includes refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, TVs, computers, and other electronics.
  • Recycling Methods: Drop-off at municipal recycling centers, retailer take-back, and scheduled pick-up services.
  • Recycling Locations: Network of municipal and private collection points, retailer drop-off, and certified recycling facilities.
  • Dismantling End: Appliances are processed at licensed recycling plants, with hazardous materials safely removed and resources recovered.

 

 

Latin America

In response to a growing trend in stricter environmental laws in Latin American countries, discussions on the establishment of recycling laws and actual enforcement are being conducted.

 

In Brazil, a sectoral agreement on home appliances was concluded in October 2019, and a Federal Decree specifying a system to collect and recycle household electrical and electronic equipment was enforced in January 2021. As one of the main members of a waste home appliance management body (ABREE), Midea Carrier JV collaborated in the establishment of a reverse logistics system (a system to collect used products), and promotes efficient collection and treatment of used products.

-  4233 collect points in Brazil (1291 Cities).

-  Midea Carrier is a founder of this association.

  • Logistic reverse to collect obsolete products after consume.
  • Midea carrier also has our own reverse logistic program and some additional campaigns.

The reverse logistics Program also offers to our customers, who purchase a new product, the free benefit of collecting at theirs homes electronics for environmental disposal.

  • Operating in 7 estates in Brazil
  • 65 collections performed
  • 3.4 Tons of electronic waste collected and disposed correctly

 

Other Countries in Latin America

Countries such as Peru, Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Ecuador, Panama, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica are moving toward global standards for e-waste management. Peru and Colombia have enacted detailed WEEE laws, while others like Chile are still developing regulations.

 

Industry-led programs and government-approved recycling plans are active in Mexico and Colombia. Peru stands out with diverse initiatives public campaigns, urban mining, and circular economy projects promoting responsible e-waste handling.

 

We continue to support policy development through collaboration with governments, industry groups, and pilot recycling efforts.