Turning waste into gold

Straits Times 30 Sep 09;

THAT old computer circuit board, printer or mobile phone we throw away without a second thought is being turned into gold, as part of the national push to minimise waste here.

For the past four years, Centillion Environment and Recycling - which specialises in extracting precious metals like gold, silver and platinum from electronic waste - has been converting 200 tonnes of rubbish into 20kg of gold residue each week.

The company, which operates a 2ha facility in Tuas, sells the metals to the jewellery industry, where they are made into bracelets and rings.

This unique waste management process can now be witnessed by the public.

Yesterday, the National Environment Agency extended the two-year-old Programme for Environmental Experiential Learning, which provides exclusive one-day tours to a number of recycling facilities used to sort different types of waste - including electronic, wood and household rubbish. Collectively, more than 4,000 tonnes of these items are recycled daily.

Those interested in finding out the ins and outs of waste management can apply for the one-day tour, which is conducted once every three months. For more information, go to www.nea.gov.sg/sei

AMRESH GUNASINGHAM