Two companies certified under national e-waste standard

Monica Kotwani Channel NewsAsia 12 Nov 14;

SINGAPORE: The National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Singapore Standards Council on Wednesday (Nov 12) announced the implementation of Singapore Standard SS587, which will provide guidelines on how businesses can get rid of their electronic waste responsibly.

The announcement was made at the Electronics Recycling Asia Conference this morning, and the standard was first revealed in September last year.

About 60,000 tonnes of e-waste are generated annually in Singapore, of which about half are common household IT products ad home appliances while the rest are IT equipment generated from business and industrial sectors, the NEA estimated.

The establishment of the standard aims to promote the adoption of best practices by businesses and industries in managing their electronic waste, and raise awareness among businesses and industries on environmentally responsible electronic waste management, the agency added.

To help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) adopt the standard, SPRING Singapore will co-fund up to 70 per cent of the costs associated with adopting the standard. There is also an accreditation scheme for companies that adhere to e-waste guidelines.

Two companies that were first to have achieved the SS587 accreditation were recognised on Wednesday. Green packaging company Greenpac and Solvay Specialty Chemicals Asia Pacific both received their certificates.

- CNA/kk

National standard to guide businesses and industries in managing e-waste
Today Online 12 Nov 14;

SINGAPORE — The National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Singapore Standards Council announced the implementation of Singapore Standard SS587 today (Nov 12), which aims to promote the adoption of best practices by businesses and industries in managing electronic waste.

The joint announcement was made at the Electronics Recycling Asia Conference held earlier this morning.

The NEA estimates that about 60,000 tonnes of e-waste are generated annually in Singapore. Of this, about half consists of common household IT products and appliances, while the rest are equipment generated from the business and industrial sectors.

The establishment of the standard also seeks to raise awareness among businesses and industries on environmentally responsible electronic waste management.

To help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) adopt the standard, SPRING Singapore will co-fund up to 70 per cent of the qualifying costs of adopting the standard.

An accreditation scheme for companies will also recognise establishments that practise socially responsible disposal methods.

Two companies, Green packaging company Greenpac and Solvay Specialty Chemicals Asia Pacific, were the first to achieve this a