Dealing With E-Waste: Places We Can Properly Dispose or Donate Our Old Gadgets
Considering how fast technology and gadgets evolve, we’ve built up so much e-waste! Here are places we can dispose them!
E-waste (short for electronic waste) is a combination of old or broken gadgets that have been thrown away! But what do we do with these gadgets? As we declutter our homes, we’ll discover that there are just so many gadgets lying around, and a lot of times, we’ll find out that they’re almost still brand new. However, some of us are wary of buying second-hand gadgets: we don’t know what kind of information is stored inside nor do we know how well the former owner cared for it.
Instead of just letting our old gadgets gather dust and clutter up our place, here are places where we can properly dispose of our e-waste.
1. Globe Telecom
Globe, as a telecom giant, has various e-waste bins scattered across the Philippines. However, they don’t take in old laptops. They usually take in old phones, tablets, modems, and other old peripherals like earphones, cables, and charger blocks. After that, they recycle and recover precious metals and materials which could be used for other gadgets and peripherals again.
2. Envirocycle, Inc.
Accredited by the DENR, Envirocycle considers itself the “only full-service environmental processor of electronic waste in the Philippines being equipped to handle virtually all types of electronic waste streams.” They handle not just gadgets but other electronics like bulbs, batteries, ink toners, cartridges, and, etc. Envirocycle also offers other services such as data cleanup to prevent hackers from retrieving sensitive data.
3. The E-Waste Project
Stationed in UP Diliman and at the Tzu Chi Foundation at Sta. Mesa, The E-Waste Project has been running for over 12 years. They accept all sorts of e-waste except bulbs which they normally turn over to their partner recycling companies. Based on their Facebook group, they have some drop-off points open during the weekends.
4. Crowd Records Management
Besides data management, Crown Records Management also offers e-waste disposal in both Manila and Cebu. They take pride in making sure all forms of sensitive data cannot be accessed, even if placed on another medium. From industrial-grade shredding to crushing, they make sure that the gadgets are reduced back to their raw materials.
5. SM Cyberzone
In select SM malls, their Cyberzones will have some bins that can accommodate e-waste. Based on the box size, most of the e-waste it accommodates includes smartphones, smaller laptops, keyboards, and various peripherals like earphones, cables, and the like. Recently, SM partnered with PLDT and Smart to further the awareness of e-waste and how to recycle it.
6. Tzu Chi Foundation
The Tzu Chi Foundation at Sta. Mesa does both medical and environmental missions, often doing general recycling. They have two programs: the Recycling Donation Drive and their Recycling Center, dealing with all sorts of waste. Inspired by the story of Master Chen Yen, the Tzu Chi Foundation continues its mission to help others find ways to care for Mother Earth.
The Philippines is one of the top producers of e-waste!
Considering how fast we go through smartphones and cellphones, it’s no surprise that the Philippines is one of the top producers of e-waste. The way we throw our phones after they lose their novelty or don’t work as well not only is bad money management but harmful to the environment. Because they’re made from heavy metals, they’re usually toxic to living beings.
Although the DENR has come up with policies, we still have to do our part. And sometimes, it means not always getting carried away by the trends and novelties of technology.
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