4 Things Marie Kondo Didn’t Tell You About Tidying Up

What happens when your electronic devices no longer spark joy

When it comes to tidying up and keeping your place neat, domestic guru (or should we say senpai?) Marie Kondo had five categories of items: clothes, books, papers, komono (kitchen bathroom garage, and everything miscellaneous) and sentimental items. On her popular Netflix series, it seems like Marie Kondo has got it all figured out. Well almost.

What about e-waste? E-waste or electronic waste is becoming a major environmental problem. With technology product cycles getting shorter, electronic products that are old, damaged and unwanted are becoming increasingly commonplace.

In fact,  do you know that by 2021, we will generate 52 million tonnes of e-waste? That is approximately the weight of 5,200 Eiffel Towers! Singapore is also the 2nd largest generator of e-waste in the region but only 5% is being recycled and diverted from landfills. It is definitely time to do our part!

Unlike any other trash, e-waste needs to be properly disposed of and recycled at designated bins. E-waste may contain small amounts of heavy metals and toxic substances like lead and mercury which may leach into the environment. Incineration, for instance, could release heavy metals into the air causing environmental pollution and, in the case of mercury, it could even end up in the food chain and ultimately affect people’s health. 

So picking up where Marie Kondo has left off, INSIDE is bravely stepping in! Here are 4 steps you should consider when dealing with e-waste. 

1.  Take Good Care Of It!

Even before your electronics become e-waste, use and maintain your electronics properly to prolong its lifespan.

If it works fine, why throw it away? If it still sparks joy, keep it. If it can be repaired, consider sending it to a service centre instead!

This way, you’ll not only be saving the earth, you’ll also be saving money. 

 

 

 

 

2. Say 'Thank You'!*

Sit down and lay your electronic item in front of you. Let gratitude slowly fill you up and if you feel overwhelmed with emotions, it’s only natural.

‘Who’ was there when you were feeling bored, down and lonely? Your smartphone. 

‘Who’ was there for you when you starving in the middle of the night? Your fridge.

‘Who’ was there through all the tears and laughter? Your television.

It is without a doubt that electronics have drastically improved your life. It is only right we thank them.

*This step is completely optional.

 

3.  Dispose & Recycle Your E-waste Properly!

CapitaLand is helping shoppers and tenants to safely  manage their e-waste. If you’re working in Singapore’s Central Business District, e-waste recycling services are available at 6 CapitaLand commercial buildings:  Capital Tower, CapitaGreen, Six Battery Road, One George Street, Raffles City Tower and 21 Collyer Quay (HSBC Building). Simply drop off your e-waste at tenant service centre or contact the building managers to pick up your e-waste.

If you’re out shopping, e-waste recycling bins are also available at 10 CapitaLand malls: Plaza Singapura, Tampines Mall, Bedok Mall, Junction 8, IMM, JCube, Bugis+, Bugis Junction, Raffles City Singapore and Lot One Shoppers’ Mall, making it Singapore’s largest mall network of e-waste recycling bins.   

Others have already done their part. In 2018, we’ve collected 12,081 kilogrammes of e-waste from our offices and 18,467 kilogrammes from our malls. Now’s your turn!

4. Do You Really Need It?

With your old electronics safely recycled, it is now time for something new.

Before you run out to purchase the latest version of whatever new-fangled gadget you’ve got your eye on, ask yourself – do you really need it? Are you fulfilling a ‘need’ or a ‘want’?

The first step to dealing with e-waste is to simply reduce.

If you don’t need it, don’t buy it. 

Join the CapitaLand Earth Hour 2019 Quiz! - Win up to 900 STAR$®!

Calling all CapitaStar members! From now till 31 March 2019, learn how you can do your part for the environment. Take part in all three quizzes and stand a chance to win up to 900 STAR$®.  There is a new quiz every Friday (15, 22 and 29 March 2019), so don't miss out!

This week, we're focusing on e-waste! Find the correct answer in the article to generate the reward code for 300 STAR$®!

[THIS WEEK'S QUIZ HAS BEEN FULLY REDEEMED!]
Question: By 2021, how many million tonnes of e-waste will be generated in the world? 
Answer:  EWASTE<YOUR ANSWER>

For example, if your answer is 30 million tonnes, key in the reward code 'EWASTE30' in the CapitaStar app. Limited redemptions available. Good Luck! 

P.S. - If you're not sure how to use your reward code, see our handy guide below!
T&Cs apply

  • Get your STAR$® - Using your reward code

    Got the correct answer? It is time to redeem your STAR$®!  Here's a quick guide: 

    Step 1:
    Launch your CapitaStar App. If you are not a CapitaStar member, sign up to take part and redeem great deals at our CapitaLand malls! 

    Step 2:
    Tap on the 'Menu' icon at the top left hand corner of the app 

    Step 3:
    You'll see the reward code tab on the left hand side. Select 'Reward code'

    Step 4:
    You will arrive at the following page for you to enter your reward code

    Step 5:
    Enter your reward code

     

    Step 6:

    If your answer is correct, you will receive the following message.

    Enjoy your STAR$®
    to redeem the latest merchant deals or exchange them for eCapitaVouchers or physical CapitaVouchers

    Step 5:
    If your answer is correct, the message "XXX" will appear. 
    Step 5:
    If your answer is correct, the message "XXX" will appear. 

    Step 7:

    If your answer is incorrect, or if the STAR$®
    have been fully redeemed, you will receive the following error message. 

    Read the article to look for the correct answer or join the quiz next week for another chance!

    There is a new quiz every Friday on the 15, 22, and 29 March 2019! 

    Step 6:
    If the answer is incorrect, or if the reward code has been fully redeemed, of if you have already redeemed the code before, an error message "Code is invalid. Think this is a mistake? Contact us" will appear. 

    Read the article again to find the correct answer!