Retailers collecting e-waste to promote recycling
Old, unused electronics can now be dropped off at Klang Valley, Johor and Penang outlets of two tech retailers in a new recycling initiative.
The 'RE:Cycle' campaign by Urban Republic and Switch, in collaboration with TechWaste, aims to provide a convenient and safe outlet for disposing of items such as mobile phones, laptops and cameras.
Through the campaign, the shops will serve as drop-off points for unwanted electronic items while TechWaste will collect and recycle them.
Depending on the item, vouchers worth between RM10 and RM30 will be given.
TechWaste communications head Dania Hidayah said based on its records in 2021, the total number of e-waste they had collected in Malaysia was over 36,000 units.
She also warned that improper disposal of items could lead to privacy breaches.
'Your data can still be accessed if you dispose of electronics improperly by throwing them away or burning them.
'TechWaste follows the Department of Environment procedures and ensures proper disposal, returning hard drives to owners whenever possible,' she said during the launch at a mall in Kuala Lumpur.
Urban Republic general manager Lawrence Seng said retailers had a role to play in raising awareness.
'E-waste poses a significant threat to the environment and we believe retailers have a responsibility to lead by example,' he said.
Describing the campaign as more than just a collection drive, he said: 'It leads to many other conversations, about sustainability, about reducing waste, about rethinking our consumption habits. But it is a catalyst that starts the conversation.'
The campaign organisers hope the tangible rewards will encourage more people to part with old electronics rather than keeping them unused at home or disposing of them improperly.
All devices will undergo safety checks before they are channelled to licensed recycling facilities where reusable materials such as gold, copper and rare earth metals are recovered, reducing the need for new mining and resource extraction, the organisers said.
For details, visit Urban Republic and Switch's official platforms.
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