{
  "id": 13325619,
  "title": "S’pore starts 6-month trial to return used phones, laptops at lockers and Shopee collection points",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/spore-starts-6-month-trial-to-return-used-phones-laptops-at-lockers",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-10T04:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times",
    "slug": "straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/spore-starts-6-month-trial-to-return-used-phones-laptops-at-lockers-and-shopee-collection-points"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Residents in Singapore can now easily recycle their old mobile phones, tablets, and laptops through a new six-month pilot program. ALBA E-waste Smart Recycling, which manages the nation's e-waste recycling scheme, is behind this initiative. The program aims to make e-waste recycling more convenient and secure. ALBA Secure-Recycle will accept devices at approximately 2,000 Shopee SPX collection points and yellow Pick! lockers located in residential areas and shopping centers. This approach follows concerns from residents about the convenience and data security of recycling e-waste. The pilot builds upon existing options, such as nearly 1,200 e-waste bins around the island and free doorstop collection services for large appliances. Upon collecting the devices, Virogreen, the appointed recycler, securely destroys personal data, providing users with a certificate of destruction. The six-month trial will help gauge public interest and evaluate operational processes before a wider rollout. Users are advised to back up their data, erase accounts and SIM cards, and perform a hard reset before depositing their devices.",
  "summary": "Since e-waste collection started in 2021, more than 45,000 tonnes of e-waste have been collected.",
  "key_points": [
    "Singapore launches six-month pilot program to recycle used phones, laptops, tablets",
    "ALBA E-waste Smart Recycling manages the initiative at 2,000 Shopee and locker points",
    "Virogreen securely destroys personal data, issues destruction certificates"
  ],
  "editors_take": "This initiative makes e-waste recycling more convenient and secure for residents, addressing concerns about data security and accessibility, and paves the way for a potential wider rollout.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}