10 WAYS TO RECYCLE

1 CASH FOR TRASH

Among Singapore’s licensed public waste collectors are Veolia Environmental Services and Colex Environmental, and each has a cash-for-trash programme that allows you to exchange recyclable items for money. Veolia has over 30 cash-for-trash recycling stations in the eastern part of Singapore and accepts items such as aluminium cans, metal tins, paper and small electrical appliances. Colex has stations set up at various locations within the Housing & Development Board (HDB) estates in Jurong. veolia-es.sg | colex.com.sg

2 NATIONAL RECYCLING PROGRAMME

The National Environment Agency (NEA) has implemented this programme to make it convenient for citizens to recycle, with blue recycling bins located around HDB estates, landed properties and those private condominiums that have opted for using recycling receptacles. Here, you can get rid of items made of paper, plastic, glass or metal. nea.gov.sg

Recycling in Singapore has become super doable thanks to the eco-friendly efforts made by the government and other organisations. So, to further help you go green, here’s a list of recycling services, second-hand shops and other avenues for being nice to Mother Earth!

3 JUNK TO CLEAR

This company helps people to clear junk by adhering to the “3 Rs”: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. It recycles materials such as paper, metal, batteries and glass, and donates items that are in good condition to needy families. Three types of removal services are offered: residential, business and secure destruction. junktoclear.com.sg

4 PASS-IT-ON

Donating is another way to recycle your pre-loved items, and Pass-It-On is set up for just that process! This non-profit project distributes any unwanted stuff that’s still useful and in good working condition to the needy. thehelpinghand.org.sg/pass-it-on

5 SINGAPORE FREECYCLE NETWORK

Check out this programme (also known as SGFreecycle) if you’ve got something to discard that is still sturdy. This non-profit movement aims to reduce waste by connecting people who are giving away goods to others seeking the same goods on its Facebook page. fb.com/groups/sgfreecycle

6 CASH CONVERTERS

The world’s biggest second-hand dealer, Cash Converters allows you to bring your unwanted goods to any of its stores to negotiate and sell. It buys almost any products that are in good condition and have a market resale value, with the exception of just a few items. cashconverters.sg

7 HOCK SIONG

Here’s another second-hand store where you can sell your pre-loved items instead of throwing them away. Hock Siong & Co buys selected household furniture such as solid wood furniture and decorative items, but it’s not limited to just that.

153 Kampong Ampat | hocksiong.com.sg

8 KARUNG GUNI

Karung Guni is an on-demand recycling company that collects all unwanted, used and spoilt items, and even pays for items that are still well-kept. The name references the karung guni or “rag-and-bone men”, who would move from home to home collecting unwanted things. karungguni.com.sg

9 SECONDSGURU

Another way to recycle is to reuse, and Secondsguru shares upcycling craft ideas that could help you do just that. It also provides handy recycling tips and lists of eco-brands, and provides info about eco-events you can go to if you’re looking to recycle in a better way or lead a more sustainable life in Singapore. secondsguru.com

10 ZERO WASTE SG

This is another non-profit and nongovernmental organisation championing the cause of eliminating waste. It provides tips and resources on recycling and waste minimisation. zerowastesg.com

You’ll find all kinds of stories on the environment and sustainability at expatlliving.sg.