Macau’s Environmental Protection Bureau is introducing a new trial scheme for the collection and recycling of “electronic communication and technology materials”.
A new article in the Macau Business Daily reveals that the EPB “has launched a trial scheme” that should last approximately a year but could lead to “long–term recycling”. It is expected that, through the scheme, 50, 000 units and 7,000 tonnes of materials will be collected and recycled during the trial period, via 4 collection points. A collection van will also be used at 16 points in Macau, “available for citizens, schools, NGOs and public departments”.
The scheme, which will conclude on 27 September 2018, “will focus mainly on cell phones, televisions, computers, printer toner cartridges, printers and scanners”. Collected computers “will be evaluated by the DSPA” and the most recent models will be donated to non–profit organisations provided they are in good enough condition.
The rest of the material collected “will be dismantled” and reusable parts will be sent to the local second–hand market or they will be “processed at the Macau incineration centre to gather and re–use” components.
All electronic microchips collected will be sent on to Japan, to be recycled there, and aluminium materials will be sent to China.
“Actually recycling electronic materials is more efficient in the case of electronic devices. We hope residents can ponder if they really need to purchase or replace electronic equipment,” the Director of the DSPA Environmental Infrastructure Management Centre, Chan Kwok Ho, commented.
This trial scheme was awarded to a local branch of Hong Kong company, Chong Heng Technology “for MOP4 million, with a public tender to be opened after the trial period.”
A doorstep collection service will be rolled out for “schools, public departments and non–profit organisations”.
“We didn’t include private companies in the collecting scheme because we believe private entities should be responsible for collecting and sending the materials for recycling themselves […] We also didn’t want to affect local recycling companies that already provide those services,” Mr. Chan added.