International E-waste Day 2025 - Dr Janil Puthucheary

1. Good morning. It is my pleasure to join you today to commemorate International E-waste Day 2025, a global initiative to raise awareness about electrical & electronic waste (“e-waste”) and its impact on the environment. This is also one of the satellite events for Clean & Green Singapore, a year-long movement comprising community events and learning journeys organised by partners from People, Private and Public Sectors to promote greater community ownership of our environment. The annual movement will culminate in CGS Day on 1 November at Our Tampines Hub.

Importance of e-waste recycling

2. The world is experiencing rapid digital transformation, with technologies reshaping the way we live, work, learn and connect. From household appliances that meet our essential needs to smart gadgets that enhance our lifestyles, it is common for each person to own and use multiple electronic devices in Singapore today. However, these devices will eventually reach the end of their lifespan and become e-waste.

3. E-waste contains heavy metals and hazardous substances that, if improperly disposed of, can harm public health and contaminate the environment. E-waste also contains metals and other materials that should be recovered for the manufacture of new products.

4. It is therefore important for e-waste to be managed in a sustainable and safe manner. NEA has introduced the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Scheme in 2021 to ensure proper end-of-life management of e-waste, maximising resource recovery and diversion of waste from Semakau landfill.

Enhancing Accessibility for e-waste Recycling

5. We have seen progress in e-waste collection under the EPR scheme. Over 33,000 tonnes of e-waste have been collected and recycled to date, which is equivalent to the weight of about 165 million[1] mobile phones. However, there is still room for improvement in making e-waste recycling more accessible and convenient. This year's International E-waste Day theme, "Bringing Collection Points Closer to You," reflects our commitment to this goal.

6. We introduced the Retailers’ 1-for-1 Takeback Scheme from the onset of the scheme, which means when you purchase a new large household appliance, like a refrigerator or washing machine, retailer will collect your old appliance during delivery free of charge and send it for proper recycling. The Town Councils also offer a bulky waste removal service. Additionally, since the beginning of the year, our appointed scheme operator, ALBA E-Waste Smart Recycling Pte Ltd (“ALBA”), has provided free doorstep collection service for bulky e-waste, giving households more recycling options.

7. The number of e-waste collection points has also tripled over the years. Today, we will be adding the 1000^th collection point. We hope this will encourage you to deposit your e-waste in these accessible bins.

8. Beyond increasing the number of collection points, convenient placement of these collection points at high-footfall and communal areas such as shopping malls, electronic retail stores, supermarkets and community centres are just as beneficial. I am therefore glad to note that there will be an e-waste bin at every community centre by the first half of next year. I would like to thank the People’s Association for their support.

9. ALBA will also launch a refreshed version of their “StepUp App”, with added features to locate the nearest bin and participate in collection events. I strongly encourage everyone to download this app to make recycling even more convenient.

Recognising Our Partners

10. We would also like to use today’s occasion to recognise our partners who have joined us in our e-waste recycling journey. Town Councils play an important role in the collection of bulky e-waste from households. Community and interest groups have come together to organise collection drives to raise awareness and spur the community to recycle their e-waste. I thank you for your continual support.

11. We also have several partners with us at the exhibition area today. For instance, Virogreen, an e-waste recycler, has a degaussing machine at their booth to demonstrate how data sanitisation is carried out. You can be assured that your data bearing device is securely recycled.

Building a Sustainable Future with Go 25

12. As we work towards a cleaner and greener Singapore, addressing energy efficiency is just as crucial as managing waste effectively. Overcooling in homes, offices, and buildings represents a significant drain on our energy resources. This year, we launched the Go 25 movement to encourage everyone to set their indoor air-conditioning temperature to 25°C or above in homes, workplaces, and buildings. I encourage all of you to join this movement by adjusting your air-conditioning settings to 25°C or higher or choosing fans over air-conditioning when possible. This simple yet impactful change reduces energy consumption, prevents overcooling, and strengthens our long-term climate resilience. When we embrace Go 25 alongside responsible e-waste recycling practices, we can collectively shrink our carbon footprint and build a more sustainable future for Singapore.

Conclusion

13. To conclude, as we endeavour to make recycling as convenient as possible for everyone, it also requires active participation from all of us – purchasing mindfully, using devices to their full lifespan, and then recycling responsibly when they reach end-of-life. The vision of a Clean & Green Singapore requires our collective actions, and we can care for and protect our environment through simple actions such as practising proper e-waste recycling habits and supporting initiatives like Go 25. Thank you.

[1] Based on the average weight of a Samsung smartphone