Skip to content
  • About
  • Partner with Us
  • Op-ed Guidelines
  • Indonesia
Primary Menu
  • Home
  • Latest
  • News
  • Brief
  • Interview
  • Opinion
  • Figure
  • Youth
  • G20
  • SDGs
  • Topics
  • #LetterfromtheFounder
  • Featured
  • News

E-Waste Management Efforts in Singapore

Singapore’s zero waste mission includes a collaborative electronic waste management through government initiatives, startup innovations, and citizen participation.
by Kresentia Madina June 20, 2022
pile of electronic waste such as cables, keyboards, and other electrical appliances

Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash

The world is currently grappling with waste management problems. Everything we consume and use needs proper disposal and recycling systems to minimize environmental pollution. This includes our electronic devices.

Singapore generates about 60,000 tonnes of e-waste annually, which equals 70 devices per person. Here’s how the nation is managing its electronic waste.

EPR: producers’ responsibility

A proper disposal system will make it possible to extract valuable resources from e-waste to be recycled. It will also prevent leakage and explosion of hazardous materials, safeguarding our health and well-being. By 2020, Singapore, through the National Environment Agency (NEA), is establishing a regulated e-waste management system based on the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) approach.

Under this system, the producers of electronic devices are responsible for collecting and conducting a proper treatment for their products when no longer used. The producers, including manufacturers and importers, are obligated to register with NEA and keep an updated record of the regulated supplies. 

The government also appointed ALBA E-waste Smart Recycling Pte Ltd as the Producer Responsibility Scheme (PRS) Operator. The company is responsible for collecting the regulated consumer electrical and electronic waste across Singapore for proper treatment and recycling on behalf of producers. This role applies for five years, starting from 2021.

HyperScale: a collaborative platform

More recently, StartupX has organized a global platform called HyperScale in partnerships with the NEA and Enterprise Singapore. The platform is designed to be the place where world-class experts, corporates, and investors can come together to brainstorm, innovate, and develop waste-tech solutions, particularly for electronic, plastic, and mixed waste.

StartupX has signed the MOU with its corporate partners SembWaste, Circulate Capital, and The Incubation Network at the CleanEnviro Summit Singapore on 18 April 2022. The event was witnessed by the government, the NEA, and Enterprise Singapore representatives.

Mr. Ng Chun Pin, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Planning, Corporate and Technology) of the NEA, stated that HyperScale aligns with the nation’s vision to become a Zero Waste Nation. “With 5.88 million tonnes of waste generated by our land-scarce country in 2020, it is critical that we find innovative and novel ways to manage this amount of waste and build the circular economy,” he added.

HyperScale is accepting applications from 18 April to 17 July 2022. The participating startups will go on a 12-week program in August – November 2022 involving various masterclasses, workshops, mentorship, networking sessions, and eventually lead up to Demo Day at the end of the program. 

Circular economy: a collective effort

Reducing production and consumption must be where the bulk of a more sustainable, “zero waste” effort. Still,  a proper management and recycling system for all kinds of waste is essential in transitioning to a circular economy. As the number of electronic waste will increase as technology continues to develop, it is also society’s responsibility to chime in with their own efforts. 

Singapore’s citizens can contribute to the nation’s zero waste mission by disposing of their electronic waste at the drop sites provided by the government. Eventually, the nation’s goal to reach zero waste will get significant progress when everyone is involved in the process, from the government, business, and citizens. 

Editor: Nazalea Kusuma

Thank you for reading!
Stay up-to-date with sustainable development news and stories in the Asia Pacific and beyond, subscribe to our weekly newsletter at no cost. Delivered to you every Friday.
Subscribe Now
Kresentia Madina
Website | + posts

Madina is an In-House Reporter and Content Writer at Green Network Asia. She covers Global, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Australasia.

  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    World Cities Summit 2022: Rebuilding Cities in the Time of Crisis
  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    Seven Years of Improving Rice and Coffee Production in Vietnam
  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    Raising Global Awareness on International Mangrove Day
  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    Kyrgyzstan's Plan for Mountain Sustainability

Continue Reading

Previous: A Survivor’s Story Becomes a Wakeup Call for Change on Nepal’s Rape Laws
Next: World Oceans Day 2022: Collective Actions for Ocean Revitalization

Related Stories

an urban planning scale model World Cities Summit 2022: Rebuilding Cities in the Time of Crisis
  • Featured
  • News

World Cities Summit 2022: Rebuilding Cities in the Time of Crisis

by Kresentia Madina August 10, 2022
two people carrying load on their backs at the baltoro glacier with icy mountain in the background What Melting Glaciers Mean for Pakistan
  • Featured
  • News

What Melting Glaciers Mean for Pakistan

by Nazalea Kusuma August 9, 2022
orange, red, and black coffee beans spread on two trays Seven Years of Improving Rice and Coffee Production in Vietnam
  • Featured
  • News

Seven Years of Improving Rice and Coffee Production in Vietnam

by Kresentia Madina August 8, 2022
a bike at a flooded parking station in bonn, Germany Addressing the Threats of Coastal Floodings and Sinking Cities
  • Featured
  • News

Addressing the Threats of Coastal Floodings and Sinking Cities

by Nazalea Kusuma August 3, 2022
a mangrove forest above water Raising Global Awareness on International Mangrove Day
  • Featured
  • News

Raising Global Awareness on International Mangrove Day

by Kresentia Madina August 1, 2022
a group of kangaroos among trees looking at the camera Australia’s Biodiversity Is Declining
  • Featured
  • News

Australia’s Biodiversity Is Declining

by Nazalea Kusuma July 29, 2022
  • Latest
  • Popular
  • Partner
  • an urban planning scale model World Cities Summit 2022: Rebuilding Cities in the Time of Crisis
    • Featured
    • News

    World Cities Summit 2022: Rebuilding Cities in the Time of Crisis

  • two people carrying load on their backs at the baltoro glacier with icy mountain in the background What Melting Glaciers Mean for Pakistan
    • Featured
    • News

    What Melting Glaciers Mean for Pakistan

  • orange, red, and black coffee beans spread on two trays Seven Years of Improving Rice and Coffee Production in Vietnam
    • Featured
    • News

    Seven Years of Improving Rice and Coffee Production in Vietnam

  • a bike at a flooded parking station in bonn, Germany Addressing the Threats of Coastal Floodings and Sinking Cities
    • Featured
    • News

    Addressing the Threats of Coastal Floodings and Sinking Cities

  • a mangrove forest above water Raising Global Awareness on International Mangrove Day
    • Featured
    • News

    Raising Global Awareness on International Mangrove Day

  • The green landscape of Semakau Island in Singapore Semakau Island, the Green Landfill in Singapore
    • Featured
    • News

    Semakau Island, the Green Landfill in Singapore

  • Indonesian spices as cultural heritage Enthusiasts Reclaim Spices’ Cultural Heritage, Launch Spice Hub Indonesia
    • Featured
    • News

    Enthusiasts Reclaim Spices’ Cultural Heritage, Launch Spice Hub Indonesia

  • illustration of National SDG tracker by Unescap UNESCAP Supports “Build Back Better” with the National SDG Tracker
    • Featured
    • News

    UNESCAP Supports “Build Back Better” with the National SDG Tracker

  • In frame: Beena Rao with the children | Image source: beenarao.com Beena Rao and Her Fight for Education for the Children of the Slums
    • Figure

    Beena Rao and Her Fight for Education for the Children of the Slums

  • Customized water bottle by Muslimat NU Bojong | Image: Muslimat NU Bojong Muslimat NU of Bojong-Tegal Campaigns Environmental Protection, Reduces Waste Production
    • Featured
    • News

    Muslimat NU of Bojong-Tegal Campaigns Environmental Protection, Reduces Waste Production

  • A young adult from we day ugm and three elementary schoolers planting mangrove seed. Photo is taken from above and shows only their heads and backs. WE Day UGM 2022: Raising Awareness on Climate Change and Encouraging Community Empowerment
    • Featured
    • News
    • Partner

    WE Day UGM 2022: Raising Awareness on Climate Change and Encouraging Community Empowerment

  • a screenshot of a zoom meeting with two speakers Unlocking Indonesian Green Jobs Opportunity with Zona EBT
    • Featured
    • News
    • Partner

    Unlocking Indonesian Green Jobs Opportunity with Zona EBT

  • rooftop solar panel by xurya New Energy Nexus Supports Indonesian Startups for Clean Energy with Equity
    • Featured
    • News
    • Partner

    New Energy Nexus Supports Indonesian Startups for Clean Energy with Equity

  • Photo by SCERTIFY Leading with ESG: Why Executives & Boards Need Sustainability Education
    • Brief
    • Featured
    • Partner

    Leading with ESG: Why Executives & Boards Need Sustainability Education

  • A tree ilustrating ESG training for business leaders Preparing Businesses for a Greener Industry with Knowledge and Technology
    • Featured
    • News
    • Partner

    Preparing Businesses for a Greener Industry with Knowledge and Technology

About Us

  • About
  • The Team
  • Partner with Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Work with Us
  • Contact Us
  • Op-ed Guidelines
  • Contribute to Our Mission
  • Advisory Network
  • Youth Advisory Network
  • Author Network
  • FAQ
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • Telegram
  • Etsy
  • Tokopedia
  • Media Link 11
  • Media Link 12
  • Media Link 13
  • Media Link 14
  • Media Link 15
© 2022 Green Network Asia