How SG Recycle Can Help You Recycle Your E-Waste in Singapore

E-waste, or electronic waste, refers to any unwanted or obsolete electrical or electronic devices, such as computers, smartphones, TVs, or batteries. E-waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world, especially in the information age where technology is constantly evolving and upgrading.

According to the Global E-Waste Monitor 2020, Singapore generated about 188 kilotonnes of e-waste in 2019, equivalent to the weight of 47 Airbus A380 planes. This amount is expected to increase as more people use and dispose of electronic devices.

However, e-waste is not only a waste problem, but also an environmental and health problem. E-waste contains various hazardous substances, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, or brominated flame retardants. These substances can leach into the soil and water, or release toxic fumes into the air when e-waste is improperly disposed of or incinerated. This can cause serious harm to humans, animals, and plants.

That’s why e-waste recycling is crucial for Singapore and the world. E-waste recycling can help to reduce the environmental impact and health risks of e-waste, as well as recover valuable materials and resources that can be reused or recycled.

SG Recycle is a leading e-waste recycling agent in Singapore that provides smart and innovative solutions for e-waste recycling and management. We help individuals and businesses recycle their e-waste in a convenient, safe, and rewarding way.

The Rising E-Waste Problem in the Information Age

One of the main drivers of the e-waste problem is the rapid advancement and obsolescence of technology. As new and better models of electronic devices are released every year, consumers tend to replace their old devices with new ones, even if they are still functional. This creates a huge amount of e-waste that needs to be disposed of.

Another factor that contributes to the e-waste problem is the design of electronic devices. Many devices have fixed or built-in batteries that cannot be easily replaced or repaired. When these batteries fail or degrade over time, consumers have no choice but to discard the whole device. This also creates a lot of e-waste that could have been avoided if the batteries were removable or replaceable.

Furthermore, the e-waste problem is likely to worsen in the future as more sectors and industries adopt electric vehicles (EVs) as part of their green initiatives. EVs use large and powerful batteries that need to be replaced after a certain period of use. These batteries are also considered as e-waste and need to be recycled properly. In fact, Singapore has announced its plan to phase out internal combustion engine vehicles by 2040 and go fully electric by then. This means that more EV batteries will be generated and need to be recycled in the coming years.

Pollution is Not the Solution

Unfortunately, not all e-waste is recycled properly in Singapore. According to NEA, only about 6% of e-waste was recycled in 2019. The rest was either disposed of with general waste or exported overseas for recycling.

This means that most of the e-waste in Singapore ends up in the landfill or incineration plants, where it poses serious environmental and health risks. E-waste contains various hazardous substances that can leach into the soil and water, or release toxic fumes into the air when they are buried or burned. These substances can contaminate the environment and affect the quality of life for humans, animals, and plants.

Moreover, disposing of e-waste with general waste also wastes valuable materials and resources that could have been recovered and reused. E-waste contains various metals, plastics, glass, and other materials that can be recycled into new products or raw materials. Recycling these materials can save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve natural resources, and create economic opportunities.

Therefore, pollution is not the solution for e-waste. Recycling is the solution.

The Environmental Disaster of E-Waste

E-waste is not only a waste problem but also an environmental disaster. E-waste can cause serious harm to the environment and human health if it is not recycled properly.

Some of the harmful effects of e-waste are:

• Soil contamination: E-waste can leach hazardous substances into the soil when it is buried in landfills or dumped illegally. These substances can affect the soil quality and fertility, as well as the growth and health of plants and crops. They can also enter the food chain and accumulate in the tissues of animals and humans, causing various diseases and disorders.
• Water pollution: E-waste can also contaminate water sources when it is disposed of near rivers, lakes, or oceans. The hazardous substances in e-waste can dissolve in water and pollute the aquatic environment, affecting the water quality and biodiversity. They can also pose a threat to human health when they are ingested through drinking water or seafood consumption.
• Air pollution: E-waste can also pollute the air when it is incinerated or burned in open fires. The combustion of e-waste can release toxic fumes and gases into the atmosphere, such as dioxins, furans, heavy metals, or greenhouse gases. These pollutants can cause respiratory problems, cancer, or climate change when they are inhaled or dispersed in the air.
• Human health risks: E-waste can also directly affect human health when people are exposed to it through contact, inhalation, or ingestion. E-waste workers, especially those who work in informal or unregulated sectors, are at a high risk of exposure to e-waste and its hazardous substances. They may suffer from skin irritation, eye infection, headache, nausea, or chronic diseases such as kidney failure, liver damage, or neurological disorders. E-waste can also affect children’s health and development when they play with e-waste or live near e-waste sites. They may experience learning difficulties, behavioural problems, or birth defects.

How SG Recycle Can Help You Recycle Your E-Waste

SG Recycle is a leading e-waste recycling agent in Singapore that provides smart and innovative solutions for e-waste recycling and management. We help individuals and businesses recycle their e-waste in a convenient, safe, and rewarding way.

Some of the benefits of choosing SG Recycle for your e-waste recycling are:

• Convenience: We provide various collection channels for your e-waste recycling needs. You can drop off your e-waste at our designated collection points across Singapore, or request for a free pick-up service from your home or office. You can also use our mobile app to locate the nearest collection point or schedule a pick-up service at your preferred time and location.
• Safety: We ensure that your e-waste is handled and processed in a safe and responsible manner. We work with licensed and reputable e-waste recyclers who comply with local and international standards and regulations for e-waste recycling. We also provide data destruction services for your data-bearing devices to protect your privacy and security.
• Rewards: We reward you for your e-waste recycling efforts. You can earn points for every kilogram of e-waste you recycle with us. You can also earn bonus points for sorting your e-waste correctly or participating in our challenges and competitions. You can exchange your points for cash vouchers, gift cards, lucky draw entries, or donations to charities of your choice.

One of our key partners for e-waste recycling is VGM Sustainability Solutions, which has a full battery recycling plant operational in Singapore. VGM Sustainability Solutions is able to recycle all types of batteries, including lithium-ion batteries used in EVs. VGM Sustainability Solutions uses advanced technology and processes to recover valuable metals and materials from batteries, such as cobalt, nickel, copper, aluminium, or lithium. VGM Sustainability Solutions also ensures that the battery recycling process is environmentally friendly and safe for workers and communities.

Our Solution to Fight Pollution

If you are interested in finding out more about how SG Recycle can help you recycle your e-waste in Singapore, please contact us today for a free consultation and quotation. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have and provide you with a customized solution that meets your needs and expectations.

Don’t wait any longer. Join us today and become part of the solution for a greener and cleaner Singapore. Together, we can make a difference for our environment and our future generations.

SG Recycle – Your Smart E-Waste Recycling Agent