Reader Carolyn Chow Yuet Lin wrote to askST for advice on e-waste disposal: "Where can I dispose of used PCs/laptops/mobile phones and various types of used batteries? I also have a lot of CDs from public listed companies and would also like to dispose of them. Please advise." Tech Correspondent Vincent Chang answers.
Singaporeans churn out 60 million kg of electronic waste (e-waste) a year, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA). But only a fraction of the e-waste is properly disposed of or recycled. The amount of e-waste is increasing as well because of the relatively short lifespan of electronic gadgets.
Items that can be recycled include CDs/DVDs, mobile phones, keyboards, laptops and lithium-ion batteries.
To address the issue, NEA is considering a regulated national system to collect, recycle and manage e-waste. But this is unlikely to be implemented soon.
Those who would like to recycle their e-waste can turn to a number of e-waste recycling programmes organised by companies such as StarHub and Singtel.
StarHub's RENEW or REcycling Nation's Electronic Waste scheme has 235 e-waste recycling bins at 185 spots around the island. You can check out the locations here.
Singtel has a similar e-waste recycling programme. The recycling bins are located at Singtel shops in ComCentre, Tampines Mall, West Mall and Jurong Point.
You can also drop off your e-waste at Funan DigitaLife Mall's Customer Service Counter at Level 1. But take note that the mall will close for redevelopment from June 30.
- Read about other recycling initiatives at the NEA website: http://www.nea.gov.sg/ energy-waste/3rs/e-waste-lamp- battery-recycling/e-waste-recycling
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