Traceability

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DA.AI Technology also built a complete production traceability management system, starting from the Tzu Chi recycling stations, through recycling plants, chemical fiber plants, to garment supply chain factories. Information such time, source, number of PET bottles and other information are registered to fully implement quality management, and to ensure the recycling status and results. Transparent information is available to the public to show our integrity, and the approach is also for the promotion of the production of recycled products.

About DA.AI

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DA.AI was founded in December 2008.  It is Taiwan’s first non-profit company dedicated to producing eco-friendly products and one of the world’s first non-profit companies which donates 100% of its net proceeds to charity.

DA.AI adheres to Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s concept of “Coexist with the Earth” by using recycled PET bottles as raw material to manufacture recycled eco-products, activating a new life cycle for the PET bottles and reducing the consumption of natural resources. 100% of DA.AI’s net proceeds from the sale of eco-friendly products and its investments are donated to the Tzu Chi Foundation to help the underprivileged.

DA.AI has developed recycled textile raw materials, such as recycled poly chips, recycled polyester fibers and recycled fabrics. These recycled raw materials are then used to produce eco-products such as clothing, beddings, and other everyday textile products. DA.AI’s production process has received a “Global Recycling Standard” (“GRS”) certification from the Netherland’s Peterson Control Union. In order to gain GRS process certification, all stages of production, from obtaining raw materials to manufacturing and trading of the products have to be in compliance with the GRS standard. The eco-friendly fleece blanket made with 100% recycled polyester has also received the Carbon Footprint Certifications from both Germany’s TÜV Rheinland and the EPA.

DA.AI works with over  8,626 Tzu Chi recycling stations in Taiwan. Each year, nearly 2,000 tons of post-consumer PET bottles are collected and recycled by over 200,000 recycling promoters, whom we regard as Bodhisattvas. The Recycling Bodhisattvas carefully sort and clean PET bottles, remove caps and bottle rings, helping to ensure the quality of raw materials. As of today, over 536,263,228 PET bottles have been recycled and regenerated.

A circle of love is formed as DA.AI uses PET bottles collected and sorted by recycling volunteers to generate eco-friendly products to be sold to the consumers, with 100% of its net proceeds donated to the Tzu Chi Foundation to help the people in need. With this unique socially responsible business model in mind, DA.AI hopes to encourage and inspire more businesses and organizations to join its efforts in protecting our Mother Earth and to give back to society. 

Our History

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In 1990, Dharma Master Cheng Yen, the founder of Tzu Chi Foundation, urged all Tzu Chi volunteers to engage in environmental protection work with their hands used for applauding.

Ever since then, many Tzu Chi volunteers have joined in the environment protection movement. Besides actively promoting and engaging in recycling and sorting recyclables, the volunteers also apply the concept of environmental protection in their daily lives. 

In 2003, Master Cheng Yen encouraged a group of volunteers to research and develop food, clothing, housing, transportation, information and communication products which can be used in international relief missions. Thus, in November 2003, Tzu Chi International Humanitarian Aid Association (TIHAA) was formed.

TIHAA was worried about the impact of non-biodegradable plastic bottles on the ecology of the Earth. Therefore, in 2006, TIHAA started to gather vendors to set up assembly lines, using the recycled plastic bottles that Tzu Chi volunteers collected to produce eco-friendly textile products such as blankets. As of today, these blankets have been distributed to people in need during winter distributions and disaster relief missions around the world, benefitting more than 600,000 people.

In 2008, with selfless kindness in their heart and the concept of “Coexist with the Earth” in their mind, five TIHAA volunteer entrepreneurs set up a company named DA.AI Technology Co. Ltd. (“DA.AI”) to develop technology used to produce all kinds of clothes, blankets and daily-use textile from the recycled plastic bottles collected by Tzu Chi volunteers.

In 2010, five entrepreneurs donated 100% of DA.AI's stock ownership to Tzu Chi Foundation, making DA.AI a unique, socially responsible business. The new business was awarded Taiwan Corporate Integrity Album by MOEA the following year.

In 2011, after receiving the "Green Classics Services Award" and "Green Classics Product Award" from the first Taiwan Green Classics Award in 2011. DA.AI again received the highest honor from the Green Classics Award in 2012.

In 2012, DA.AI obtained a Cradle to Cradle® Silver Certification. DA.AI is committed to establishing a sustainable full recycling system, and gradually moving from "less" waste to "zero" waste within the life cycle of the products and services.

In 2013, DA.AI Technology was honored again with the “Taiwan Excellence Award “ and has become an exemplary “boutique enterprise” thanks to its multi-dimensional identities of ECO brand in Taiwan.

In 2014, being the three consecutive award winner, DA.AI not only received five more awards this year, but also was invited to participate in the EPIF 2014 International Green Classic Award Forum, showing the highest honor and recognition from the Taiwan Ministry of Economic Affairs.

DA.AI was established due to the inspiration and encouragement from Dharma Master Cheng Yen. Dharma Master Cheng Yen encouraged these entrepreneurs to gather more people to apply their professional expertise in researching and developing technology used for producing eco-products, thereby benefiting living beings in the world. Thus, with their professional expertise and selfless loving heart, these entrepreneurs joined hands in applying the concepts of environmental protection and charity in the development and production of eco-products.

Core Values

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DA.AI adheres to its core values of “3C” - Culture of Environmental Protection, Circle of Love, and Contribution to Society.

Brand Story

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The name of DA.AI Technology was first used on December 10, 2008. Although clean and short, it carries a big meaning. “DA.AI,” Chinese for “Great Love,” reminds us to “love all creatures and show appreciation to the Earth.” DA.AI, home to key recycling technology, is also a selfless social welfare platform.