Amid large amount of e-waste, recycling efforts start in South-west District

TAN WEIZHEN Today Online 14 Jan 18;

Statistics show that Singaporeans discard as much as 60 million kg of e-waste every year

SINGAPORE — Those who do not know what to do with their old, unused gadgets such as laptops and desktop computers can now drop them off at electronic waste bins located in areas such as Bukit Batok and Alexandra where they will be recycled - and even get their data wiped off the devices for peace of mind.

The recycling points are part of a pilot project jointly organised by the South West Community Development Council (CDC), IT giant HP and National Environment Agency’s (NEA) South West Regional Office.

Launched on Sunday (Jan 14), the e-waste recycling points will be open till end of 2018, and the initiative targets to collect 10,000 desktop computers, laptops and monitors. This is equivalent to about 50,000 kg of e-waste.

Mayor of South West CDC Low Yen Ling, who officiated the launch, said: “We are seeing more e-waste with the growth of electronic devices. If not disposed properly, electronic items can pollute our environment and harm our health.”

According to NEA’s statistics, Singaporeans discard as much as 60 million kg of e-waste every year.

“To enable and encourage the recycling of e-waste, we are working with HP so that residents can bring in bigger electronic items like fridges and televisions...laptops and monitors,” added Ms Low.

But data that is still present in devices might be a point of concern for those considering whether to drop off their gadgets.

HP Incorporated Managing Director Lionel Chng stressed that all data will be thoroughly destroyed before the gadgets are recycled.

“We find that it is very important especially for PCs, the first thing is to properly data sanitise it, remove all personal data that is inside, then we can begin the process of refurnishing it or recycling it,” he said, adding that residents can erase their data the usual way first.

Those interviewed by TODAY said they would consider using the e-waste recycling points instead of throwing their old gadgets away.

Operations manager Kenny Lim said his family regularly recycles clothes, paper and plastic, But going forward, they also plan to recycle their laptops, batteries and even mobile phones.

“I think it is most important that it must be safe for the environment,” said the 59 year old.

“I’m also concerned that I can’t fully erase my personal data in my laptop, but since HP has said that it will wipe the data, it should be ok now.”

Housewife Ms Fiza Abdjalil, 34, added: “I didn’t know about recycling e-waste, but now that I know, I can recycle them instead of throwing them away.”

Beside the South West CDC’s initiative, there are at least eight other e-waste recycling projects taking place. These include Panasonic’s Heartland E-Waste Recycling Programme, and Singtel x SingPost E-Waste Recycling Programme.



Recycling drive to turn electronic trash into cash for charity
Calvin Yang Straits Times 15 Jan 18;

A recycling initiative is hoping to turn trash into cash for charity, by donating funds raised from recycling electronic waste to help needy students.

The HP Make IT Green Campaign, which will run until the end of this year, aims to collect 10,000 used personal computers, laptops and display monitors - or about 50,000kg of e-waste - over the next 12 months.

It is part of Clean Up South West, the South West District's annual trash-for-groceries recycling drive.

Besides going into schools to collect e-waste, the initiative encourages residents in the district to drop off their e-waste at various recycling points. Funds raised from the refurbished devices will be donated to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.

The Mayor of South West District, Ms Low Yen Ling, who was at the Clean Up South West recycling drive yesterday, said the amount of e-waste has increased with the growing use of electronic devices.

"If not disposed properly, electronic items can pollute our environment and harm our health," she added. "That's why we are enhancing our efforts in public education and awareness, and ramping up our drive to recycle e-waste."

The campaign was launched yesterday by the South West Community Development Council (CDC), the National Environment Agency (South West Regional Office) and HP Singapore.

Yesterday, residents took their recyclables, such as clothes and newspapers, to 41 recycling points across the district in exchange for groceries, as part of the Clean Up South West recycling drive, which is in its 13th year.

The collection points included community centres and residents' committee centres.

Among those who took their recyclables to a collection point were Mr Kenny Lim, 59, and his wife Loo Ming Chwee, 53, who were dropping off clothes, newspapers and a used laptop.

Mr Lim, an operations manager, said: "We wanted to do our part to recycle things that we do not need. We can also use this chance to help those who are in need."


Recycling initiative to turn electronic trash into cash for Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund
Calvin Yang Straits Times 14 Jan 18;

SINGAPORE - A recycling initiative is hoping to turn trash into cash for charity, by donating funds raised from recycling electronic waste to help needy students.

The HP Make IT Green Campaign, which will run until the end of this year, aims to collect 10,000 used personal computers, laptops and display monitors - or about 50,000kg of e-waste - over the next 12 months.

It is part of Clean Up South West, the South West District's annual trash-for-groceries recycling drive.

Besides going into schools to collect e-waste, the initiative encourages residents in the district to drop off their e-waste at various recycling points.

All funds from the refurbished devices will be donated to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.

Mayor of South West District, Ms Low Yen Ling, who was at the Clean Up South West recycling drive on Sunday (Jan 14), said the amount of e-waste has increased with the growing use of electronic devices.

"If not disposed properly, electronic items can pollute our environment and harm our health," she added. "That's why we are enhancing our efforts in public education and awareness, and ramping up our drive to recycle e-waste."

She said that "not only will recycling make Singapore clean and green, it will bring cheer to those in need".

The campaign was launched by the South West Community Development Council (CDC), the National Environment Agency (South West Regional Office) and HP Singapore.

Mr Lionel Chng, managing director of HP Singapore, said the launch of one of Singapore's largest e-waste recycling efforts is "our commitment to building community awareness and creating a circular economy that supports a good cause".

On Sunday, residents took their recyclables, such as clothes and newspapers, to 41 recycling points across the district in exchange for groceries, through the Clean Up South West recycling drive, which is in its 13th year.

The collection points included community centres and residents' committee centres.

Some 200 volunteers were stationed at selected points to guide residents on recycling the correct way, such as separating their recyclables by material - plastic, paper or glass.

The drive is organised by the South West CDC and the NEA (South West Regional Office), and supported by grassroots organisations in the district.

Among those who took their recyclables to a collection point was Mr Kenny Lim, 59. He and his wife Loo Ming Chwee, 53, recycled their clothes, newspapers and a used laptop.

Mr Lim, an operations manager, said: "We wanted to do our part to recycle things that we do not need. We can also use this chance to help those who are in need."