Where To Dispose Old Mobile Phones, Speakers, And Other Unused Electronic Devices

A new year often means trying to get rid of the tambak we're always saying we will throw, but we never do. One of the reasons this happens, apart from the lack of time to actually do decluttering, many items require proper disposal, especially when it comes to electronic waste (e-waste).

What is e-waste?

That's why we're always on the lookout for e-waste tambakan to finally rid ourselves of that old mouse (is it mice if you have several?), speakers, and the like. And Globe has come to our rescue, which has set up collection points nationwide for e-waste.

Accepted e-waste are:

1. computer sets (LCDs, monitors, CPUs, keyboards)
2. IT accessories (mouse, earphones, speakers, etc)
3. printers and fax machines
4. old TV monitors
5. mobile phones
6. home appliances (washing machine, iron, oven, refrigerator, etc)
7. cable wires (except fiber optic)
8. car electronics
9. circuit boards
10. CDs and DVDs
11. batteries (except for lead-acid car batteries)

Globe tells us that select Globe stores can accept e-wastes anytime during store hours (see participating NCR stores below). There is no need to wrap if these are a bit bulky like CPUs or monitors. Customers just need to make sure any small components will not fall apart.

Here's the best part. If the total weight of your e-waste is 10KG or more, customers may fill-up this online form for free door-to-door pickup, courtesy of Globe. Click here for the link to the form. 

There are currently more than 100 collection points, including Globe stores, corporate offices, and other partner organizations. Globe's collection points nationwide may be viewed here. Globe stores in Visayas and Mindanao areas will also be added to the list.

On the website, only those labeled “public” are accessible to everyone. This will be updated to reflect the additional 50 Globe stores collection points that can receive e-waste donations from the public.

For participating Globe stores, here is the list for those located in the National Capital Region:

1. SM North Edsa
2. Trinoma
3. UP Town Katipunan
4. Gateway Mall
5. SM East Ortigas
6. Ayala 30th
7. SM Southmall
8. Glorietta
9. Greenbelt 4
10. Ayala Manila Bay
11. SM Mall of Asia
12. SM Sucat
13. Robinsons Place Manila
14. SM San Lazaro
15. Market Market
16. SM Aura

Yoly Crisanto, Globe chief sustainability officer and SVP for Corporate Communications, says Globe still plans to expand the collection points to more Globe Stores and partner organizations and establishments in the coming months.

For organizations interested in supporting the advocacy or for one-time hauling of bulky e-waste, a request for free door-to-door pickup can be made by emailing bridgecom@globe.com.ph.

Proceeds from e-waste processing will be used to provide public school teachers and students' communication needs in collaboration with the Department of Education.

In 2019 alone, the Globe E-waste Zero program has managed to collect over 343,000 kg of e-waste, bringing the total collection to more than 1.2 million kg. The collected e-waste is delivered by Globe to its partner Treatment, Storage, and Disposal (TSD) facilities -- Total Environment Solutions - Asset Material Management Philippines (TES-AMM) Maritrans Recycler, Inc.

E-waste is segregated to recover plastic materials, electronic components, and precious metals in the Philippines, with the final recycling process being done in TES-AMM's facility in Singapore.

Globally, it is estimated that more than 50 million metric tons of e-waste are produced per year. Its continued importation and the increased local generation in the Philippines have become a cause for concern.

Roughly 80% of this e-waste end up in landfill, which makes the informal community and adjacent environment susceptible to toxic hazards. According to a recent study made by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and EcoWaste Coalition, only 28 out of the 135 registered TSD facilities in the Philippines process e-waste.