Reduce E-Waste - Save Mother Earth Gaia

Every day there are millions of e-waste generated harming our environment. Let's do our part to reduce e-waste and leave a greener earth to our child.

What Is E-Waste

E-waste is electrical and electronic equipment of any kind that has been discarded. This includes practically anything powered by an electrical source (e.g., from a power socket or a battery). Common types of e-waste include the following:-

• Infocomm technology (ICT) equipment, such as desktop, laptop and tablet computers, mobile phones, computer and mobile phone batteries, peripherals and accessories such as keyboards, modems, monitors, computer mice, docking stations, hard disk drives, printed circuit boards, battery chargers, etc.
• Home appliances, such as TVs, fridges, air conditioners, washing machines, rice cookers, microwave and toaster ovens, electric kettles, food processors and blenders, electric fans, DVD/video/music players, radios, hi-fis, vacuum cleaners, etc.
• Other types of e-waste include lamps & lighting, electronic toys, batteries, sports and leisure equipment, etc.

E-waste is mostly made up of metal and plastic components, but also contains small amounts of heavy metals and substances of concern (e.g., in printed circuit boards). The wide variety of e-waste makes it hard to generalise the material content – for example, fridges and air conditioners in particular contain refrigerants to enable cooling to take place, but these refrigerants may also contribute to ozone layer depletion or climate change; the material composition of a mobile phone is very different from that of an electric kettle.

Why Recycle E-Waste

Recycling e-waste protects human and environmental health. Improper disposal of e-waste leads to environmental pollution and this may in turn harm human health. The best way to treat e-waste is to recycle it properly. E-waste comprises many different components and requires specialised equipment to dismantle, shred, process and extract the constituent materials that can then be turned into new products. This has to be performed within a controlled system to prevent pollution and ensure workplace safety and health.

Recycling e-waste also helps to conserves our earth’s precious natural resources. Recycled material is used to make new products. This reduces the need to mine virgin raw materials from the earth, which are limited in supply. Reducing the need for mining also lowers pollution, as the process of mining has an impact on our environment.

You are encouraged to recycle your e-waste with voluntary e-waste recycling programmes available in Singapore. Companies and organisations are encouraged to adopt SS 587, the Singapore Standard for the management of end-of-life ICT equipment, or at least to implement the best practices for e-waste recycling contained in it.

Voluntary E-Waste Recycling Programmes for Individuals / Households

As an individual or as part of a household, you are encouraged to make use of the following recycling programmes voluntarily offered by industry stakeholders. Simply drop off your e-waste at the recycling points to properly recycle your e-waste.

1. StarHub's E-Waste Recycling Programme (RENEW)

Where & When to Recycle      Refer to StarHub's website for a list of locations

What to Recycle     The following types of equipment, regardless of brand, measuring less than 47 cm x 12 cm (length x width), so as to fit through the deposit slot:

• Mobile phones, mobile phone batteries
• Laptops, keyboards, modems, computer mice, docking stations, hard disk drives and printed circuit boards
• DVD players, VCD players, set-top boxes, MP3 players, VCRs, remote controls and car stereos
• Telephones and answering machines
• Cables, plugs and wires

Recycling Partner     TES-AMM

More Information        Visit StarHub's programme website

2. Panasonic's Heartland E-Waste Recycling Programme

Where & When to Recycle      Please note that the most recent phase of this programme has ended and the programme partners are currently exploring the possibility of re-launching the programme at a later date.

What to Recycle     All electrical and electronic equipment (i.e. “anything with an electric cord”) are accepted, such as Infocomm technology (ICT) equipment (e.g., desktop and laptop PCs, laptop batteries, printers, mobile phones, phone batteries) and home appliances (e.g., TV, DVD player, microwave oven)

Recycling Partner     Cimelia Resource Recovery

3. Dell Recycling Programme

How to Recycle      Refer to Dell's website to schedule a pickup and for more details

What to Recycle     Dell-branded products (e.g., desktop and laptop PCs, printers, laptop batteries)

4. Singtel's E-Waste Recycling Programme

Where & When to Recycle      Refer to Singtel's website for a list of locations

What to Recycle     The following types of equipment, regardless of brand:

• Mobile phones, mobile phone batteries, accessories, chargers
• Laptops and tablet computers
• Cables, plugs and wires

More Information        Visit Singtel's programme website

Voluntary E-Waste Recycling Programmes for Businesses

As a business, you are encouraged to make use of the following recycling programmes voluntarily offered by industry stakeholders. You are also encouraged to contact your equipment supplier or the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) for any programmes not listed on this page.

1. HP Planet Partners Programme

How to Recycle      Refer to HP's website for more details on recycling of hardware and supplies

2. Dell Recycling Programme

How to Recycle      Refer to Dell's website for more information

Voluntary Printer Cartridge Recycling Programmes for Individuals / Households

As an individual or as part of a household, you are encouraged to make use of the following recycling programmes voluntarily offered by industry stakeholders. Simply drop off your printer cartridges at the recycling points to properly recycle them.

1. Project Homecoming - Joint-Brand Ink & Toner Cartridge Recycling Programme

Singapore's first joint printer brand ink and toner cartridge recycling initiative is led by Canon and Epson and is supported by recycler TES-AMM, the National Library Board (NLB) and NEA.

Where to Recycle

• Ang Mo Kio Public Library
• Bedok Public Library
• Bishan Public Library
• Bukit Batok Public Library
• Bukit Merah Public Library
• Bukit Panjang Public Library
• Cheng San Public Library
• Choa Chu Kang Public Library
• Clementi Public Library
• Geylang East Public Library
• Jurong Regional Library
• Jurong West Public Library
• library@esplanade
• Marine Parade Public Library
• National Library Building
• Serangoon Public Library
• Tampines Regional Library
• Toa Payoh Public Library
• Queenstown Public Library
• Woodlands Regional Library
• Yishun Public Library

 For full details on e-waste recycling, please click here to visit NEA site.