IGPN - International Green Purchasing Network

July 8, 2013

Panasonic leads e-waste recycling programme in Singapore

Electronics conglomerate Panasonic Asia Pacific launched a new program for recycling home appliances and electronic waste in Singapore. Called the Heartland E-waste Recycling Program, the CSR initiative is a pilot project running from July to December 2013 at Marine Parade and Mountbatten, or Singapore’s south east district.

Panasonic has partnered with the South East Community Development Council (CDC), National Environment Agency (NEA), electrical and electronics retailer Best Denki, e-waste recycler Cimelia and public waste collector SembWaste to provide an integrated, convenient recycling platform covering different avenues, from community to retailer level. The six-month trial program is Panasonic’s solution to raise awareness on the nature of electronic waste, and more importantly to encourage recycling through a hassle-free collection system.

Collection points are currently in place at ten resident committee centers in Marine Parade and Mountbatten. Residents can dispose their portable e-waste in these locations, as well as general waste like paper, plastic bottles and aluminum cans. There will be monthly collection drives at the centers starting on July 14 and succeeding collections will be held every first Sunday of the month. Aside from portable e-waste, bulky e-waste and large home appliances can be disposed through the Marine Parade Town Council Bulky Items Removal Service, which can collect up to three bulky items per household per month for free.

Another alternative is the retailer level, where consumers can recycle their portable e-waste at collection bins found at the Best Denki outlet at Parkway Parade mall and the bulky e-waste can be collected upon purchase and delivery of a new appliance. Cimelia will then collect the e-waste gathered both by the town council and Best Denki for recycling.

In addition, Panasonic will also be conducting awareness talks in different schools and organizing field trips to their factory and Cimelia’s recycling plant to let students learn more about the concept of recycling and green manufacturing. If the program goes well, Panasonic aims to expand the Heartland E-waste project nationwide. The goal is to have the program replicated in each CDC district.

Read more at Eco-Business.

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