The harm caused by electronic waste is a serious one around the world. Discarded phones, computers, tablets, TV sets, DVD players and portable music players release hazardous materials which pollute water, soil and even the air when the waste is burnt to extract metals like copper. The environment is harmed further by large-scale mining of materials for new gadgets. The mobile phone alone requires gold, silver, platinum, palladium, copper, tin and zinc, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
The scale of the problem is growing everywhere as more consumers jump on the tech wagon and manufacturers design products with built-in obsolescence. A device might be usable for many more years but people are nudged into getting a new model because older versions are not compatible with the latest gadgets and software support is lacking. The cost of spare parts for certain repairs sometimes outweigh the cost of a new device. Further, telcos encourage handset upgrades by offering non-stop deals to bind customers. A throwaway mentality is fanned by businesses in other ways too, for example, when a printer is priced cheaper than a set of new ink cartridges.
Consequently, a mountain of electronic rubbish is being generated every year. Here, each person discards 5.5kg of e-waste annually. Collectively, households produce some 30,000 tonnes of such waste. This huge volume could be reduced if greater efforts are taken to reduce, reuse and recycle such devices. The benefits are tangible: People can save money, energy and natural resources. But old habits die hard, it seems. A paltry 6 per cent of e-waste is sent for recycling via blue recycling bins, despite over 15 years of the National Recycling Programme. Overall, the household recycling rate remains low and has not budged much since 2005. Public awareness of recycling is clearly deficient as "30 to 50 per cent of materials deposited into the recycling bins are not suitable for recycling", Parliament was told last year.
Singaporeans are way behind the Swedes, who can boast a 52 per cent recycling rate for e-waste. Perhaps it might take a "regulated system", as envisaged by the National Environment Agency, to change attitudes and behaviour. One can now dispose of used mobile or Internet-linked devices at ReCycle bins or by "mailing" them to recyclers for free at any post box - an initiative of Singtel and SingPost. To broaden such efforts, places could be created where bulky e-waste like refrigerators can be conveniently disposed of. However, any system is only as good as its users. People must play their part by choosing gadgets wisely and extending the life of products to minimise e-waste. Buying environmentally safe products, reusing electronic items wherever possible, and recycling e-waste ought to become second nature to Singaporeans.
Correction note: This editorial has been updated for clarity.
