Looking for the latest phones to get or gift this holiday season?
Most Common Types of E-Waste and How to Recycle Responsibly
Got old gadgets, batteries, or broken appliances? Don’t just dump them in the trash. Electronics contain metals and chemicals that need special handling. If they're mixed with household waste and end up in landfills, they can release toxic chemicals that pollute the soil and water supply.
Get rid of electronic waste (e-waste) responsibly. Find out which items you need to segregate and where you can bring them for safe recycling.
Spot Common E-Waste Examples in Your Home
E-waste includes any broken or discarded item that runs on electricity or batteries. Always segregate these common types of household e-waste.
- Personal electronic devices like phones, tablets, computers, laptops, and smartwatches
- Electronic accessories like chargers, headphones, keyboards, and cables
- Printers and their ink cartridges
- Screens like televisions, monitors, and projectors
- Batteries including disposable batteries and power banks
- Household appliances from small toasters and blow dryers to larger equipment like refrigerators and washing machines
- Electronic toys or childcare items like breast pumps
- Lighting equipment like lightbulbs, flashlights, or Christmas lights
Find E-Waste Recycling Programs Near You
1. Look for drop-off bins in malls.
Got old phones, chargers, or batteries? Do your part for the environment and recycle your e-waste responsibly.
Image credit: Globe
Many malls have dedicated bins or collection points for specific types of e-waste. You can check with mall information desks for e-waste recycling programs or designated drop-off locations.
In addition to general e-waste bins, some malls offer special recycling programs with added incentives. For example, SM Malls has a Trash to Cash Market where you can trade lead or car batteries for cash or vouchers. The market is held every first Friday and Saturday of the month, but only accepts e-waste every quarter (May, June, September, and December). You can check out where to find them on the SM Supermalls website.
Aside from malls, research into other collection points. For instance, The E-Waste Project has a year-long collection drive that allows you to safely dispose of your small to medium-sized electronic items in drop-off boxes. A special week-long collection drive will be held later for large e-waste, like refrigerators. For the exact box locations, click on these Google Map links:
2. Reach out to manufacturers or distributors.
Some electronics brands let you return old or broken products for proper disposal.
- Apple: Back up your device, remove personal data, then fill out the online form to have it shipped to a recycling partner.
- Samsung: Drop off your Samsung phones, laptops, or wearables at e-waste boxes in partner stores.
- Hewlett Packard (HP): Bring empty ink cartridges to any HP store. If you have more than 10 toner cartridges or 20 ink cartridges, you can schedule free pick-up from your home or office.
For other brands or bigger appliances like refrigerators, contact the manufacturer or appliance center where you bought the product. They may have recycling or trade-in programs or can refer you to recycling partners.
3. Contact electronic waste disposal companies.
Electronic waste recycling companies salvage useful parts or precious metals from broken gadgets or appliances.
Try to use certified recyclers who follow environmental standards for safely dismantling electronics and handling hazardous substances. Ask if they have DENR (Department of Environment and National Resources) certifications or ISO 14001.
- Envirocycle
This DENR-accredited facility specializes in electronic waste. It can also destroy sensitive data in your old devices.
Details: Silangan Industrial Park, Canlubang, Calamba, Laguna; (917) 834 9596 or message on Facebook - HMR Super Surplus Bodega
It buys old gadgets, computers, appliances, or parts like motherboards and turns them into affordable refurbished products.
Details: Pioneer corner Reliance Street, Mandaluyong City; (028) 634 0526
4. Donate working electronics to charities.
Consider cleaning and repairing old electronics and donating them to your church or charity organizations. You help the planet and other people too.
These places welcome pre-loved gadgets, computers, appliances, or toys.
- Segunda Mana
Operated by Caritas Manila, the charity sells donated goods to fund outreach programs.
Details: Caritas Manila Inc., Jesus Street, Pandacan, Manila; (905) 4285001 or (929) 8343857 - Goodwill Philippines
Sales of donations go to supporting training programs for PWDs (persons with disabilities).
Details: G26X+Q9V, 22 Veterans Rd, Taguig, 1630 Metro Manila; (028) 899 9788 or (028) 897 3752 - Philippine Toy Library
The center sets up play centers in crowded urban areas. It accepts battery-operated toys that are not violent (no toy guns, please!).
Details: 56 Esteban Abada St., Loyola Heights, Quezon City; (917) 318 2795
5. Dispose of old appliances in community groups.
Have you upgraded your home entertainment system or realized that you’ll never use your waffle maker? Post a pic of your old appliances online and give them away on Facebook groups like Really Really Free Market Manila or local spinoffs like Really Really Free Market Quezon City.
6. Participate in local e-waste recycling drives.
Local governments regularly hold e-waste collections in the city hall or other community centers. Follow your city’s social media or visit your barangay hall for updates.
Do your part by managing your household’s e-waste and protecting the environment. Participate in recycling or donation programs and find ways to reduce waste. For example, if you’re a Globe Postpaid subscriber, switch to an eSIM or an Eco-SIM made of 100% recycled materials.
Every choice counts. Want to learn more about reducing your carbon footprint? Discover innovative apps and technologies that can help create a greener, cleaner world.
