Manufacturing equipment
TI has a comprehensive program for disposing of equipment used in our own manufacturing processes. Our objective, whenever possible, is to prolong the life of the equipment and keep it in active commerce – by using it elsewhere within our own operations or by selling it. If neither option is practical, then we decommission it, remove any residual chemicals, and sell the equipment for scrap, ensuring that it will be disposed of in an environmentally responsible way.

Semiconductors
Although TI does not control how our customers handle the semiconductors they place in their products, nor their products' end-of-life issues, we do provide them with detailed information about the substances used in our components so they can make informed decisions about end-of-life disposal.

Education Technology
TI works to reduce waste by designing Education Technology (ET) products with flash technology. Flash technology lets consumers download new software applications from ET's Web site, extending our products' life span and long-term value. We also design our calculators to withstand years of classroom use.

When TI's ET products reach the end of their useful lives, TI helps make sure they're responsibly disposed of. TI currently participates in take-back programs in European countries, where approximately 20 percent of our products are sold. Under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, all companies that sell technology in EU countries are required to have end-of-life collection for electronic or electrical products. TI contracts with third parties to manage this program.

Outside Europe, government jurisdictions have different ideas about how to manage electronic waste. To ensure compliance, we continuously monitor the varying requirements for registration and certification, labeling, batteries and product packaging.

When customers return ET units that are still under warranty, we send those products to a de-manufacturer for recycling.