What’s E-waste and How to Dispose of it Responsibly?

NOVEMBER 2020 UPDATE: Since E-Waste Project Collection Drives are currently on hold due to the pandemic, I found other places to send your E-Waste & have updated this post on Oct 2021.

: GLOBE PROJECT 1 PHONE. Usually they have drop of bins in their store shops. Check for the location nearest you in their BIN LOCATOR.

WHAT ARE E-WASTE?

E-waste are discarded electrical or electronic devices which if not disposed of properly can lead to adverse effects to our health and toxic environmental pollution. Many electronic scrap components contain harmful toxic substances that are unsafe if handled by normal waste disposal or recycling and will leak heavy metals from landfills and incinerator ashes.

E-wastes include but are not limited to the following:

• Batteries & powerbanks
• CDs, DVDs, VHS, Betamax, Casettes
• CPU, Hard drives, usbs and memory cards
• Chargers, phone cables, earphones, wires
• Large household appliances such as refrigerators and freezers etc.
• Small household appliances such as vacuum cleaners, irons, and toasters etc.
• Consumer equipment and photovoltaic panels such as radio sets, and TV.
• Lighting equipment such as fluorescent lamps, sodium lamps, etc.
• Electrical and electronic tools (except large scale stationary industrial tools) such as drills, saws, sewing machines, etc.
• Medical devices (except all implanted and infected products)
• Monitoring and control instruments such as smoke detectors, heating regulators and thermostats; and
• Automatic dispensers.

Fortunately for us around the Philippines there are now several companies that collect E-wastes NATIONWIDE! See below!

E-WASTE DISPOSAL WARNING

Whenever I purchase something, I always read the manual & heed whatever warnings I see. When you purchase E-waste, it usually has this sign:

This means the item is not supposed to be thrown with regular trash because it has toxic stuff that can leak in landfills, so check your items carefully.

Above is how the CROSSED-OUT WHEELED BIN SYMBOL looks when I purchase something electronic from IKEA. Keep an eye out for future electronics, batteries, bulbs & other e-waste purchases & set them aside! Do not throw in your normal rubbish bins please!

READ: THE DANGER OF NOT RECYCLING BATTERIES PROPERLY

E-WASTE PROJECT

#ParaSaBayan #ParaSaMundo
tep.upcircuit.org
@tep_ph Twitter
TheEwasteProject Facebook

E-Waste Project holds collection drives and the E-waste they collect are properly processed by an accredited E-waste recycler, Envirocycle Philippines, Inc. (more info below)

Launched in 2012, the E-waste Project is an initiative by UP students to raise awareness and educate people about proper Electronic Waste Management through collection drives.

Unfortunately, due to the paandemic they are unable to accept e-waste until further notice. You may still follow them on Facebook to get notified once they resume.

They have however given me a list of companies that continue to collect E-waste around the Philippines which is a great resource for updating this list.

ENVIROCYCLE PHILIPPINES

envirocycle@hmrgroup.com • facebook • WhatsApp
+63 917-6223807 • +63 917-8307989
+632 8584-4478 / +632 8584-4516 / +49 508-0643
Silangan Industrial Park, Canlubang, Calamba, Laguna, Philippines map

Envirocycle Philippines, Inc. is a full service e-waste recycling company. Envirocycle’s goal is to assure no potentially polluting electronic equipment is deposited into landfill.

Envirocycle is accredited by the DENR as a Treatment, Storage and Disposal (TSD) Facility capable of handling not just e-waste but a variety of other hazardous waste i.e. CRT’s, busted fluorescent lamps (BFL’s), used lead-acid batteries (ULAB’s), ink toners and cartridges, used oil, contaminated containers, solder dross, solder paste, and more. Personnel involved in transporting hazardous waste undergo training with the DENR and are duly accredited. Envirocycle’s vehicles are DENR Registered Hazardous Waste Transporters (TP4A-34-00250).

Envirocycle Philippines, Inc.

Envirocycle however charges a minimal fee for each item for disposa, unlike when you donate to them via the E-Waste Project above. SEE PRICELIST HERE. I recommend getting in touch with them before heading to their location in Laguna at (02) 584-4478 or joseph.quindoza@envirocycle-inc.com.

CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF OTHER ACCREDITED E-WASTE RECYCLERS (see the 2nd tab)

GLOBE E-WASTE ZERO

bridgecom@globe.com.ph
Bin collection locations • Request for bulk e-waste hauling
FAQs & pandemic related announcements

Formerly called “Project 1 Phone” which was launched in 2014, Globe’s E-waste collection effort is now called E-Waste Zero. They have over 100 collection bins nationwide. They accept any old, non-working electronic devices are accepted such as the following:

• Mobile phones
• Computers sets (LCDs, Monitors, CPUs, Keyboards)
• IT servers and electronic network equipment (antennas, transmitters, etc)
• IT accessories (mouse, earphones, speakers, etc)
• Internet or WIFI modems
• Printers and fax machines
• TV monitors
• Home appliances (washing machine, iron, oven, refrigerator, etc)
• Cable wires
• Car electronics
• Circuit boards
• CDs and DVDs

However they DO NOT ACCEPT Fiber optic cables, tungsten light bulbs and lead-acid car batteries.

Bulky e-waste or multiple items weighing a total of 10KG or more can be picked up by Globe, through its nationwide logistics partners, for FREE. You may book your pick up here HERE. Otherwise you can drop it off in one of the E-WASTE ZERO COLLECTION BINS nationwide!

If your school, organization or program would like to take part in this program, feel free to get in touch with them at bridgecom@globe.com.ph.

SM E-WASTE COLLECTION PROGRAM

smcares@smsupermalls.com • +638627003
SM Cares Facebook • list of participating malls
more info

Starting last 19 February 2021, through SM cares, SM malls nationwide started accepting:

• old or broken mobile phones
• mobile phone chargers
• power cords
• commercial batteries
• earphones/earbuds
• calculators
• printer ink and toner cartridges
• small gadgets
• keyboards
• power banks.
• and computer wiring, among others.
• The drop off of gadgets larger than the bin may be coordinated with mall administration. 

Customers can bring their e-waste to designated bins every day during mall hours. SEE LIST OF PARTICIPATING SM MALLS. The EWC bins are located in Cyberzone areas, information kiosks & concierge desks.

SM also has the following:

• A Plastic Waste Collection initiative
• Trash to Cash recycling market every first Friday and Saturday of the month, across all SM Malls, to encourage waste segregation and recycling among our customers, tenants, and the community. The recycling market is open from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. They have also partnered with Watsons so you can get discounts in exchange for empty packaging of health & beauty products.
• Used Lead Acid Batteries (ULAB) collection booths for a cash exchange of P200 per battery unit

HUMBLE SUSTAINABILITY

How it works • Book FREE pick up here
Humble FREE Pick up Coverage Area

The folks at Humble Sustainability are passionate about circular living. They will take absolutely anything you are decluttering, so that they can reuse, upcycle & recycle them! It doesn’t matter whether your items are working or damaged, they will take it. They will be the ones to figure out who things can go to so it’s a convenient one stop shop!

I saw that they are fully booked on their website, but you may want to get in touch with them on Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp.

You can also go thrifting on their Shopee store called Thrift by Humble for great deals & be part of a more environmentally friendly circular lifestyle!

HOW TO SEND YOUR E-WASTE

To be safe during the pandemic & since I don’t have a driver, I usually send stuff via Lalamoveor Transportify. This also gives kuyas a way to make a living during these difficult times.

If I’m not donating lot, I prefer Lalamove motorcycle delivery, but if it is a lot, then I compare the prices of Lalamove and Transportify vehicles and choose whichever is cheaper.

CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF OTHER ACCREDITED E-WASTE RECYCLERS (see the 2nd tab)

In the past I have shared decluttering tips and inspiration on

DeclutterMNL Facebook Page
under hashtag #DeclutterMNLtips
Minimaluxe

GOOD TO KNOW: WHERE TO BRING TO BRING DECLUTTERED ITEMS IN MANILA