| History, Problems, and Progress in E Waste Recycling In-Country |
Singapore generates about 60,000 tonnes of e-waste a year. That’s equivalent to discarding about 70 mobile phones per person in Singapore! This number is expected to increase with greater spending power and new technologies constantly replacing old ones.
In Singapore, e-waste that is not recycled is incinerated, which results in the loss of resources as well as in carbon emissions, contributing to global warming and climate change.
In addition, the processing of e-waste by these collectors can result in workplace hazards and poor environmental practices. These include the venting of harmful refrigerants from refrigerators and air-conditioners to the environment and discarding of potentially hazardous unwanted components with general waste. Heavy metals in the e-waste incinerated also contaminate the incineration ash which is landfilled at Semakau Landfill.
e-waste Recycling Programmes Around Singapore
1. StarHub’s RENEW (REcycling Nation’s Electronic Waste) Programme
2. ReCYCLE: Singtel x SingPost E-Waste Recycling Programme
3. City Square Mall E-Waste Recycling Programme
4. Project Homecoming – Ink & Toner Cartridge Recycling Programme
5. IKEA’s Light Bulb Recycling Programme |
| E-Wasters Services and Special Practices In-Country |
Tonnes and tonnes of electronic and electrical waste (e-waste) get thrown out from homes and companies each year in Singapore. To alleviate this, the National Environment Agency (NEA) of Singapore established an e-waste management system on 2021. Last Jul 1, more than 300 e-waste recycling bins is installed at various locations such as town centres, shopping malls and supermarkets. All regulated e-waste will be collected by ALBA E-waste. The items will be sent to licensed e-waste recyclers, who will ensure that all data stored on data-containing devices are permanently erased or destroyed before the device is prepared for reuse or recycling. |
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