Electronic Waste: Where Do They Go?

E-Waste items (📷: Unpslash)

Singapore generates 60,000 tonnes of electronic waste (e-waste) annually. That is equivalent to 73 mobile phones discarded by each Singaporean (Alba, 2018).

Sure, it's a shocking figure — but why should it matter to us, and more importantly, what can we do about it?

Why does recycling e-waste matter?

Electronic products bring immense convenience to our daily lives— from our homes to our workplaces, and even in our personal routines.

Even when they stop working, they still contain valuable resources that can be extracted through proper handling and treatment processes.

Recycling e-waste recovers these valuable materials to be repurposed into components for new electronic products, supporting a circular economy.

On the other hand, though chucking e-waste into the bin is easy, many don’t realise that it also contains small, hazardous materials like lead and mercury.

These harmful substances can leech into our soil and water systems, if improperly disposed of.

As a result, the e-waste doesn’t just disappear when discarded– it can come back to threaten our environment and even our health.

A regulated e-waste management system is thus crucial to ensure these toxic components are managed safely.

How is e-waste managed in Singapore?

As a technologically driven nation, Singapore generates significant amounts of e-waste.

Proper management is thus not just important, but essential.

How then is Singapore tackling this growing challenge?

As of 2021, the National Environment Agency (NEA) introduced a regulated e-waste management system, based on the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme.

Under this system, producers bear the responsibility for the collection and treatment of their products when they reach end-of-life.

ALBA E-waste Smart Recycling Pte Ltd has been appointed as the Producer Responsibility Scheme (PRS) Operator.

This means that the group is responsible for collecting regulated consumer e-waste across Singapore on behalf of producers.

The e-waste collected will then be sent for proper treatment and recycling.

How can I recycle e-waste in Singapore?

E-waste Collection Drives and Doorstep Collection

Don’t know how to get rid of bulky electronic items at home?

Keep a look out for ALBA’s e-waste collection drives.

ALBA will be organising quarterly collection drives in conjunction with Town Councils across Singapore.

Members of the public can bring down regulated electronic waste to stations near them for free collection and subsequent recycling.

Bulky e-waste, which does not fit into the bins at e-waste collection points, will be accepted.

Check out ALBA’s e-collection schedule and locations here!

E-waste recycling bins

Alternatively, keep an eye out for our white e-waste bins!

Small electronic items and most ICT equipment can be disposed of in these bins.

To reduce the risk of short-circuits and creation of fire hazard, tape the ends or wires of rechargeable batteries before recycling them.

Bulky e-waste is not to be placed outside the bin.

Currently, there are more than 870 e-waste collection bins all around Singapore.

Unsure where the nearest e-waste bin is or whether your item can be recycled?

We are here to help!

Visit recycle.gov.sg/locations to find a nearby collection point and learn what items are accepted.

Find your bin, and know what goes in. Let’s start recycling right today!