E-Waste Disposal Not A Serious Problem in Singapore

E-waste disposal problem in Singapore is not as serious as that in other Asian markets. Two main reasons are: active recycling and a secondhand market. In addition, IT vendors have their own programs to collect used devices for recycling and these initiatives are coordinated with local waste disposal facilities.

Mok Chee Hong, Sustainability Ambassador at Fuji Xerox Singapore said, “Fuji Xerox collects used printers and cartridges from customers’ offices for recycling. The company also recycles its own printing equipment. Fuji Xerox’s e-waste management efforts are supported by its integrated recycling centers located in Thailand, China and Australia. It meets the recycling demands of its offices in 12 countries of the Asia-Pacific region in a strategic and cost-effective manner. Further, there is a greater awareness of the importance of managing e-waste in Singapore and that government’s action in enforcing standards will provide a positive guidance.”

A spokeswoman for the National Environment Agency (NEA) said the standards will contain guidelines on best practices for management of infor- mation communication technology (ICT) equipment waste and recycling. Moreover, items will include printers, PCs and other electronic devices.

She added that the government will continue to monitor the e-waste situation and cooperate with companies to promote e-waste recycling.

The situation in Singapore was helped by the guidelines provided by government this year which enables companies to better manage the recycling of ICT equipment and by actively finding new methods to control e-waste disposal and illegal recycling.

NEA is working with the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) of Singapore, and Spring Singapore, to establish regulations and procedures for recycling ICT equipment. Additionally, these standards will promote the adoption of best practices by the ICT equipment recycling industry. The cooperative effort began in 2010, and the proposed guidelines are close to being approved. They will be released around June of this year.