Don't bin that electric kettle – recycle it or get some cash instead! It's important to dispose of our electronic waste responsibly so we don't let hazardous substances enter and pollute our waste stream. Here's where to recycle or dispose of e-waste properly in Singapore.
When we found out that e-waste contains a treasure trove of materials (we’re talking precious metals like gold, silver, and copper), we knew we had to share our tips and tricks for recycling e-waste in Singapore. We love local, and that includes loving and caring for the environment we live in. We have to handle electrical gadgets with care as they’re very different from other recyclable items. For example, we wouldn’t want any hazardous substances to enter and pollute our waste stream and we sure don’t want any of our data to fall into wrong hands. So, fear not! We’ve got some cool tricks to help you sort through the tech chaos and recycle like a pro in Singapore! Let’s turn trash into treasure, one light bulb at a time.
Before you recycle, consider repairing, donating or exchanging your e-waste for cash
Recycling is just one of the ways to reduce e-waste. Consider repairing the electronic item or perhaps, give it a new home by donating it to charities like the Salvation Army or Bridge the Digital Divide (for tablets, laptops, and mobile phones. Cash it out at Cash Converters or try putting them up for sale on platforms like Carousell, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay. Feeling generous? Spread the love on Olio, Pass it On, YouSwop, or Freecycle,
Need more options? Check out NEA’s website or grab the One Map app (for IOS and android) for e-waste drop-off points on the fly!
What is e-waste?
E-waste refers to discarded electrical and electronic devices, from ICT equipment like laptops and phones to home appliances like TVs and refrigerators. It also includes batteries, lamps, and electronic toys. Made mostly of metal and plastic, e-waste may contain hazardous substances that can harm the environment if not properly managed.
Here’s the thing though — your old devices aren’t just trash. They’re actually sitting on a small fortune in recoverable materials. In 2025, Apple reported that 30 percent of all material across its products came from recycled content, including 100 percent recycled cobalt in its batteries and 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in its magnets. That tells you something about what’s actually inside our gadgets — and why it matters where they end up when we’re done with them.
What are the types of devices that can be recycled?
Infocomm Technology (ICT) Equipment
- Desktop computers
- Laptop computers
- Tablet computers
- Mobile phones
- Computer and mobile phone batteries
- Printers
- Keyboards
- Modems
- Monitors
- Computer mice
- Docking stations
- Hard disk drives
- Battery chargers
- Other peripherals and accessories
Home appliances
- Televisions
- Refrigerators
- Air conditioners
- Washing machines
- Rice cookers
- Microwave ovens
- Toaster ovens
- Electric kettles
- Food processors and blenders
- Electric fans
- DVD/video/music players
- Radios
- Hi-fi systems
- Vacuum cleaners
- Digital weighing scales
Other types of e-waste
- Lamps and lighting devices
- Batteries, including EV batteries
- Electronic toys
- Sports and leisure equipment like fitness trackers, electric bikes and treadmills, VR headsets, and personal mobility devices
How is e-waste categorised in Singapore?
Regulated consumer e-waste
Under NEA’s Extended Producer Responsibility System, producers – referring to the brands that we buy from – are responsible for the collection and treatment of their products when they reach end-of-life.
Regulated consumer e-waste includes Information and communication equipment, large household appliances, electric mobility devices, batteries (household batteries, lithium ion portable batteries, and EV batteries), lamps, and bulbs.
Non-regulated consumer e-waste
Any items that are not listed above are categorised under non-regulated consumer e-waste. Some common examples include the electrical fan, ovens, food processors, vacuum cleaners, digital watches, hair dryers, electric toys, walkie talkies, camera, speakers, electric toothbrush, etc.
Where to recycle regulated e-waste in Singapore: Computers and computer accessories, cartridges and mobile phones
Most brands and producers run recycling programs where consumers can drop-off their broken or used items for proper treatment. But if their collection centres are out of the way, you can always dispose them at one of the 550 e-waste bins, e-drives, or collections, managed by Alba E-Waste, located around the island. For larger appliances, the brand’s delivery crew will help you dispose of the used or broken item.
Note: Remember to erase all your data before recycling!
1. Mobile phones
Most mobile phone brands like Apple, Samsung, Huawei, and Xiaomi offer trade-in and recycle programs which you can easily turn to when purchasing a new device. Telcos like Starhub and Singtel provide e-waste recycling bins at selected stores.
Worth knowing: Apple’s recycling machines (they call them Daisy and Cora) are specifically designed to disassemble iPhones and recover materials at much higher rates than standard recycling processes. Cora, their newer machine, uses precision shredding and sensor technology to recover materials that would otherwise be lost. They also developed a machine-learning tool called A.R.I.S. to help recyclers sort electronic scrap more efficiently — and they’re making it available to other recyclers in the industry, not just keeping it in-house.
None of this means you should only buy Apple, but it does illustrate that the recycling programme you hand your old phone into actually matters.
2. PCs, laptops, computer accessories, cartridges
When you purchase a new Dell laptop or PC, remember to ask about take back service. They’ll take in PCs, laptops, computer accessories, ink and toners of any brand! Simply complete the online process and arrange for a collection. HP ‘s Planet Partners Programme helps you recycle any HP equipment and supplies, as well as and non-HP items that’s replaced by HP equipment. The process is as easy as signing up for an account and filling out a form. Lenovo collects and consciously disposes of all Lenovo and IBM branded products manufactured after 1 May 2005. If you are corporate customer, they’ll even handle your data destruction. Email them for enquiries.
3. Ink and toner cartridges
If you didn’t know, your empty or used toner cartridges are e-waste items that can be recycled. You can either send them back to the brand that you purchased them from or pass them over to companies like Archer, that will re-manufacture and recycle them. Printer brands like Canon and Brother collects used toners and cartridges at selected locations, while brands like FujiFilm even accepts them by post!
4. Large household appliances
Replace your washing machine or fridge? Always ask your friendly retailer about collecting your used or broken appliance. They’ll often do so upon delivery of your new appliance, so, you don’t have to break a sweat about it! Just be nice and ask.
Where to recycle non-regulated e-waste in Singapore: Small household appliances, gaming consoles, audio systems, power supplies etc
5. Small household appliances, gaming consoles etc
Things are much easier for the non-regulated e-waste. When it’s time to retire the gaming consoles, simply look for any of NEA’s e-waste collection points and drop them in. For those living in the North/East, look for the Virogreen bins. Remember, batteries go into e-waste bins too, not into the blue recycling bins or general bins! And if you are always on the road, Shell has its e-waste recycling bins at all of its 23 stations across Singapore.
6. Lamp and light bulb recycling
Quick heads up: fluorescent lamps and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) have a hint of mercury, so skip bloobin! You can dispose them at NEA’s e-waste collection points too but you’ll need look for the blue or green bins on the map lamp recycling. But if you shop at Ikea, know that they’ll take in your low-energy bulb, strip lighting, batteries, and even the Allen key (because we just have too many sitting around!). Find the recycling collection point by the Customer Service point.
Where to get cash for trash: Selling e-waste for trash
7. Garang Kuni man
Have you ever spotted individuals with trolleys stacked high with cardboard? They’re the legendary karang guni (rag-and-bone) men. They’re on a mission to recycle everything from cardboard to old appliances. Keep an eye out for the truck-toting ones (just listen for the unmistakable horn at your HDB estate), and you might score a deal on that old fridge or TV.
8. My Halo
Third-party sustainability platform My Halo takes in your pre-owned/demo/display and refurbished laptops and other portable electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets. Get an instant quote online, visit their showrooms, or submit your query via the online form.
9. Cash Converters
Bring your e-waste to any of the five Cash Converters around Singapore to get an instant quote for your used electrical appliances and devices. They only accept items in working condition.
10. ALBA Step Up App
You don’t exactly get cash for this but you’ll be rewarded for taking the effort to recycle your e-waste. Each time you recycle, you’ll be awarded CO2 points, which reflect the amount of CO2 emissions you saved, that can be converted into Grab points or vouchers. Download the app (IOS, Android) to learn more
11. Other e-waste management companies
1. 800 Super Waste Management Pte Ltd – Various locations in Pasir Ris-Bedok and Ang Mo Kio-Toa Payoh
2. Ezi Recycling by Sembcorp – City-Punggol, Clementi-Bukit Merah and Woodlands
Is this guide to recycling e-waste useful? Check out our A-Z of recycling in Singapore!
This article was originally written by Sheralyn Loh in 2017, and updated by Andrina Loh in 2025, and updated again in 2026.
