The National Environment Agency (NEA) spearheads several e-waste recycling programmes for individuals and households. E-waste recycling bins are available all around the island. To reduce the risks of leaking batteries and short circuits, you are highly encouraged to tape the ends or wires of rechargeable batteries and seal them in leak-proof containers before recycling them.
Food
If you’re clearing out the office pantry or your home kitchen, consider giving excess non-perishable food items to the less privileged. According to the Hunger Report: An In-Depth Look at Food Insecurity in Singapore, 10.4% of resident households here have experienced food insecurity.
Food Bank Singapore aims to end hunger and address food insecurity in Singapore. Dry, packaged food items that are unopened and unexpired (ideally with at least four weeks to the expiry date) can be placed in Food Bank donation boxes at various malls, buildings, supermarkets and Shell petrol stations.
Do note that fresh food, half-eaten, opened and expired food will not be accepted. The donated food is distributed through a network of beneficiaries, including voluntary welfare organisations, Family Service Centres and soup kitchens.
Household Items
One way to prevent clutter at home is to avoid buying items you won’t use very often. The GoodHood.sg app lets you connect with your neighbours and borrow or lend items as and when you need them.
Not only does this help to save the environment, it is a simple way to foster community spirit in your neighbourhood. Through the app, you can also participate in “freecycling” by giving away items you no longer need to others in your community.
Getting to extend the lifespan of things you would otherwise throw away, blessing others who are in greater need, and reducing waste all at the same time? That’s what’s good in your ’hood.
Repair
While it’s wonderful to recycle responsibly, sometimes we overlook the fact that it is possible to salvage our belongings by repairing them.
Before you put something in the “To Recycle” pile, consider if you can fix them up with some help from others. Perhaps all you need is a trip to the cobbler or seamstress to get your items looking as good as new.
Or learn to repair your things on your own! The Repair Kopitiam is a community repair meet-up, where specialists guide you on how you can repair everyday items such as torn clothes, damaged irons and even wobbly chairs. Check out their Facebook page to keep up with the locations and dates of these events.
Being part of the repair culture will give you an added appreciation for the things you choose to buy and own – and inculcate patience and discipline as you pick up the skills needed to fix things instead of throwing them away.