International E-Waste Day 2026 - Dr Janil Puthucheary

1. Good morning, everybody. It is my pleasure to join you for International E-Waste Day 2026. Each year, this occasion reminds us of our shared responsibility to protect the environment by properly recycling the electronic devices we use every day.

2. Today’s event, held in support of Clean & Green Singapore (CGS) and in the lead-up to CGS 2026 Day on 21 November, provides an opportunity for all of us to learn practical ways to recycle e-waste safely and responsibly.

Importance of E-waste Recycling

3. Many of us probably have an old mobile phone tucked away in a drawer at home, or an old power bank gathering dust on the desk and you are not so sure what to do with it. Sometimes you think maybe I will use it again one day, but sometimes you are also not sure how to get rid of it. It also applies to refrigerators, washing machines, air-conditioners and other large household appliances that are an integral part of our daily lives, but they also contribute to the bulk of the e-waste that is being generated.

4. We need to find ways to deal with all this e-waste and properly dispose of these devices when they reach the end of their useful lifespan. It’s very important, because if not handled properly, these electronic devices can potentially harm the environment and compromise public health.

5. These devices also contain valuable materials such as gold, copper and cobalt that can be recovered to manufacture new products, reducing the need to extract new raw materials, encouraging a circular and sustainable way to manage e-waste.

6. Since the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for e-waste was introduced in 2021, Singapore has progressively built up a system for collecting and recycling e-waste. The National Environment Agency (NEA) has been working with ALBA E-Waste, the appointed Producer Responsibility Scheme operator, to expand collection channels and make recycling more convenient. ALBA has introduced a free doorstep collection service for Large Household Appliances since 2025 and has installed e-waste collection bins at all Community Centres.

7. Annual e-waste collection has doubled since the launch of the scheme, increasing from about 6,000 tonnes in 2021 to around 12,000 tonnes in 2025. Significant improvements in the collection of large household appliances have contributed to this increase and we will continue to focus our efforts in this area. In total, by end August 2026, more than 45,000 tonnes of e-waste have been collected under the scheme.

8. While we have expanded our e-waste recycling infrastructure significantly, many residents still have reservations about recycling their e-waste due to concerns about convenience and data security. Addressing these concerns is key to making e-waste recycling a regular habit.

This Year’s Theme — Safe and Secure E-waste Recycling

9. This year’s theme, ‘Safe and Secure E-waste Recycling’, highlights two important aspects of responsible e-waste disposal.

10. The first is safety. Improper disposal of rechargeable batteries and electronic devices can pose real hazards. Lithium-ion batteries, which are found in many common devices such as mobile phones, laptops and portable power banks, can cause fires if they are punctured. That is why used batteries should never be thrown into general waste or recycling bins, where they may be compressed, punctured, or damaged during collection and handling.

11. When we ask for batteries to be recycled through dedicated e-waste collection terminals, there are two main reasons. One is that it can be properly recycled, so that we can extract maximum value from these batteries and electronic devices. But the second is also safety, by reducing the risk of fires that can happen at the collection point, when workers are collecting the material or even in the collection and sorting centres.

12. Hence, we should recycle batteries through dedicated e-waste collection channels and tape their terminals where possible before disposal to reduce the risk of short circuits. ALBA has taken a further step to reduce fire risks, which is to use fire-resistant materials for the e-waste bins.

13. Batteries with visible signs of damage or bloating, or high-capacity batteries such as those used in electric-powered mobility devices should be treated with extra care and handed over to trained personnel at collection drives organised by ALBA. NEA and ALBA will step up public education to raise awareness on the fire risks posed by the improper disposal of e-waste and batteries.

14. The second is data security. Many electronic devices contain personal and confidential information, including photographs, account details, work documents and private communications. It is understandable that many of us will be concerned that such information may be leaked when our used electronic devices are sent in for recycling.

15. Data security has been a recurring theme of International E-Waste Day over the years as it remains one of the public's key concerns when recycling e-waste.

16. Let me take this opportunity to recap some simple steps that everyone can take to protect their personal information: back up your data, log out of personal accounts, remove your SIM card and external storage media, and perform a factory reset to remove all user-accessible records. Once that is done, hand the device over to a secure recycling channel such as ALBA’s e-waste collection channel, where data-bearing devices are processed by licensed recyclers that securely erase or destroy all data contained in these devices before they are recycled.

 New Key Initiative — Secure-Recycle Programme

17. While these data protection measures are in place, we recognise that some members of the public may still have concerns when recycling data-bearing devices and have been holding on to your old phones or laptops.

18. Today, I am pleased to announce that ALBA, together with its partners Pick, SPX and Virogreen, is launching a new nationwide trial to make it more convenient for the public to recycle data-bearing devices securely. The Secure-Recycle Programme will allow members of the public to drop off mobile phones, tablets and laptops at about 2,000 SPX collection points and Pick Locker locations across Singapore, free of charge.

19. This initiative is also designed to give residents greater assurance. Users will be able to track the recycling journey of their devices. Once the data on the device is destroyed by the appointed e-waste recycler, Virogreen, users will receive a certificate of data destruction. The devices will then be processed and recycled to recover valuable materials. We hope this will give more Singaporeans the confidence to recycle their data-bearing devices responsibly and securely.

20. I would like to thank ALBA, Pick, SPX, and Virogreen for their partnership in making this initiative possible. This is a good example of how NEA, together with its appointed scheme operator and industry partners, can work to make responsible e-waste recycling more accessible and secure.

21. This initiative will add to our growing e-waste recycling infrastructure, where there are currently close to 1,200 collection points at shopping malls, electronics stores, supermarkets and all Community Centres around Singapore.

Recognising Our Partners

22. Today, I would also like to recognise the stakeholders of the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme and partners who have supported Singapore’s e-waste recycling efforts.

23. We talked about the scheme operators, the collection points, the people who process the material after it’s collected. But actually, a big part of these types of schemes is all of us and our community partners who make an effort to participate in the schemes, and today we are recognising our Town Councils, schools, community and industry partners who help bring e-waste recycling closer to residents.

24. Through your efforts, many more people not only understand why e-waste recycling matters but also have access to convenient options to do so responsibly and securely.

25. These contributions reflect the strong community support behind Clean and Green Singapore. They demonstrate how different stakeholders can each play their part, take shared ownership of our environment, and work together towards an even more sustainable Singapore. My congratulations to the partners who will be receiving awards today, in recognition of your contributions.

26. I am also pleased to see that students from Singapore Polytechnic have set up an exhibition booth to showcase innovative prototypes that use technology to make e-waste recycling easier, more engaging and more accessible. These include an app that nudges recycling behaviour through gamification, as well as mobile pop-up recycling stations that bring recycling closer to residents.

27. It is heartening to see our youths thinking creatively about how we can tackle this challenge. They know that this is important for the next generation, and they are deeply invested in contributing ideas, taking action and helping shape a greener future for all of us. These are challenges that the next generation are very seized with, and all of us can play our part in supporting them as they pursue these aspirations.

Conclusion

28. Today, as we commemorate International E-Waste Day 2026, I encourage you to learn about what you can do to help our community partners and stakeholders improve our e-waste ecosystem. Have a look around the exhibit. You will see some practical tips on disposing of e-waste safely, protecting your personal data, and locating convenient collection points across Singapore.

29. As you do so, think about that old phone, laptop or power bank that may still be sitting at home. Bring it for recycling and give it a new purpose. Every e-waste resource we can recover makes us less reliant on scarce, external sources of materials, reduces environmental burdens from waste disposal, and contributes to our climate resilience. Everyone can play a part!

30. To all our partners, thank you very much for making e-waste recycling more visible, convenient and trusted in the community. To the award recipients, my heartiest congratulations. I hope today’s event encourages more Singaporeans to recycle their e-waste safely, securely and responsibly. Thank you.