By launching its unique Sweet Lemon Certification1 and four-cycle strategy, BYTE International Co., Ltd. (BYTE) has created a Product-as-a-Service low-carbon business model.
According to the Global E-waste Monitor 2021 report published by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the world generated 57.4 million metric tons of electronic waste in 2021, with an average annual increase of 2 million metric tons. However, the recycling rate is only 17.4%. The amount of electronic waste continues to grow, but the solutions are far from enough.
In the face of the rapid growth of electronic products, people generally choose to buy new ones. For broken electronic products, they are often not repaired and are not properly recycled when discarded.
Such a large amount of waste cannot be handled by the government's recycling system. Only when companies assume their extended producer responsibility, implement reverse logistics planning, and promote circular economy business models, can it be a long-term solution.
Device as a Service
The core concept of this project is to transform the traditional passive role of reverse logistics into an active one. By investing in Device as a Service, Bestyield will ensure that products are recycled through a closed-loop system within the enterprise. This will help to reduce electronic waste and promote a circular economy.
This project uses the circular strategies of sharing and product-as-a-service in the distribution/use stage.
The specific practices are as follows:
- We encourage consumers to recycle broken computers and parts. This helps to reduce electronic waste and promote a circular economy.
- For recycled computers and parts, we will repair them. This helps to extend the product life cycle of electronic products.
- For laptops that are too old to find new parts to repair, we will choose to repair them by combining three to five laptops of the same model or released in the same year. This is a cost-effective way to repair laptops that are no longer in production.
- The repaired products will be refurbished and sold to small and medium-sized enterprises at a discounted price, or donated to schools and non-profit organizations. This helps to make refurbished products more accessible to consumers.
Bestyield has designed a four-stage circular economy solution for government agencies, organizations, and businesses that need to use IT equipment on a long-term basis. The goal is to effectively reuse resources and reduce electronic waste.
Stage 1: Lease instead of buy, use for 3-4 years, and recycle at the end of the term
Bestyield offers large-scale leasing solutions that provide the latest IT equipment. The lease term is up to four years, and equipment is inspected and maintained annually. At the end of the lease, the equipment is returned to Bestyield.
Stage 2: Recycle and refurbish, and provide short-term lease and use for small and medium-sized enterprises after passing the "Sweet Lemon Certification"
Bestyield refurbishes equipment from Stage 1 and provides it to small and medium-sized enterprises or for short-term events. The lease term is typically one to two years, and equipment is inspected and maintained annually. At the end of the lease, the equipment is returned to Bestyield.
Stage 3: Donate to rural schools and organizations for further use
Bestyield refurbishes devices from Stage 2 and donates it to elementary and secondary schools or non-profit organizations. Devices are inspected and maintained annually until they can no longer be used, at which point it is recycled.
Stage 4: Recycle materials after EOL (End of Life)
Bestyield works with third-party partners that have government-approved electronic waste recycling equipment. Third-party partners recycle equipment from Stage 3 and process the components using appropriate methods. Recycled materials are processed into production materials or other products.
Bestyield’s four-stage circular economy solution provides a comprehensive service that covers the entire life cycle of electronic products. It not only helps customers to develop their businesses but also protects the environment. By working together, we can make a difference in the world.
Benefits
Economic and environmental
The leasing business model is still in its early stages, and there are no clear economic or environmental benefits yet. However, as the scale of the business expands, we hope to change the linear model of buying and discarding to a circular economy model of product service.
Social
The " Taipei City Yu Xi Caring Association", founded by the writer Lin Ling-qing of "People Who Work ", established a computer classroom for the homeless. The association trains the homeless to use computers for basic purposes such as applying for a natural person certificate, searching for information, and integrating calendars. This helps the homeless to acquire more self-reliant skills.
In the summer of 2023, Bestyield and the Gigabyte Education Foundation jointly donated 6 computers to the computer classroom and 6 computers to employees. Bestyield installed and tested the equipment, while Zyxel Communications Corp provided the networking equipment. All equipment was in place and installed on September 20, which was the best cooperation of mutual benefit. Lin Ling-Qing said, "People who practice a skill for 1,000 hours can easily find their place. As long as a skill is useful in society, it can gradually change one's life." Bestyield is pleased to be a force in helping the homeless turn their lives around, and we will continue to work together to make society better.