As the Sustainability Executive of ALBA e-waste, could you introduce yourself and describe your typical workday?
My name is Jerry, and I have held the role of Sustainability Executive at ALBA E-waste since January 2023.
ALBA E-Waste was appointed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) as the Producer Responsibility Scheme (PRS) Operator for Electrical and Electronic Waste (E-Waste) in Singapore. Our primary responsibility is to collect regulated consumer e-waste throughout Singapore for proper treatment and recycling. This duty extends for a period of 5 years, from July 2021 to June 2026, and it plays a crucial role in Singapore's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for e-waste management.
On a typical workday, you'll find me in the office during standard office hours, which are from 9 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday. Since our office team is relatively small, I also take on various outreach responsibilities. These include giving talks at schools and participating in community and commercial events. Consequently, my day may begin earlier when such events are scheduled.
In addition to my outreach activities, I manage our social media accounts and handle feedback for ALBA. I'm also involved in coordinating with students on their project work, offering guidance, answering questions, and providing information about our operations. Furthermore, I'm actively exploring potential collaborations with different organisations.
What responsibilities does your colleague on the operational side carry out?
She is responsible for overseeing various administrative tasks within our organisation. This includes generating monthly reports that detail the amount of e-waste we've collected. Additionally, she manages human resources duties, such as monitoring staff attendance and producing attendance reports. On occasion, she also takes on customer service responsibilities, such as responding to inquiries received via our generic email and hotline, particularly when our dedicated customer service colleague is on leave.
Could you please share about your previous job and what inspired you to pursue a career in sustainability?
I was initially attracted to my current position due to my deep-rooted passion for marketing. I've always had a keen interest in empathising with consumers and comprehending the art of effectively marketing and presenting products. This passion even transcended into my personal experiences, such as when I was selling items on platforms like Carousell. There, I quickly learned the value of using the right keywords to boost discoverability and the significance of creating eye-catching initial images to captivate potential buyers.
Given my genuine interest in marketing, I decided to pursue a marketing degree. However, after graduating, I encountered challenges when searching for traditional marketing roles. Many entry-level positions were associated with multi-level marketing structures, which didn't align with my vision of a stable marketing job that focused on product promotion.
This quest eventually led me to the role of public relations at Ang Mo Kio Town Council. This role, in essence, shared several similarities with marketing but leaned more towards building awareness and publicity rather than the direct calculation of sales and revenue that traditional marketing entails.
Following my time at Ang Mo Kio Town Council, I stumbled upon a job opening for my current position. This opportunity has allowed me to merge my marketing expertise and passion for sustainability into a fulfilling and meaningful role.
You mentioned that you hold a degree in marketing but it does not seem to be directly related to sustainability. Have you encountered any challenges or difficulties in your current role, particularly in terms of addressing sustainability-related issues?
I had to immerse myself in the intricacies of various recycling processes in Singapore. This entailed gaining an in-depth understanding of the recycling methods for different materials, including plastic, paper, metal, and glass. It's crucial to comprehend what materials can be recycled and be well-versed in the recycling laws of Singapore. This knowledge is essential because I frequently visit schools to deliver talks, and students often refer to me as the "recycling man." Therefore, I must possess a comprehensive understanding of recycling practices to effectively educate and engage with these students.
This expertise not only enhances my ability to carry out my responsibilities more efficiently but also empowers me to promote sustainable practices within the community.
Did the company offer support when you first had a career switch, or did you have to navigate the transition independently?
I took the initiative to conduct my own research to acquire the necessary background knowledge, but the company also offered support when I initially joined. In fact, during my first week, which I considered my orientation week, I had the valuable opportunity to shadow a driver responsible for e-waste bin collection. I accompanied them to shopping malls, where I had the chance to observe their operations up close. This included tasks like collecting the e-waste bins and making deliveries back to the warehouses. This hands-on experience allowed me to gain valuable insights by witnessing how they handled the e-waste and managed their day-to-day operations. These experiences were instrumental in helping me comprehend the various responsibilities involved.
Do you consider yourself a sustainable person?
I wouldn't necessarily describe myself as a highly active member of the sustainability community, but I am conscientious about practising sustainability whenever possible. For instance, when I order food, I am intentional about refusing disposable utensils and prefer to use my own at home. Additionally, when it comes to plastic bottles, I go the extra mile by washing them before recycling. This behaviour is rooted in my knowledge, acquired through my work in this field, that the behind-the-scenes processes of recycling are not always straightforward. Therefore, I make an effort to contribute by incorporating small changes into my daily routines, which can help streamline the backend recycling process.
When pursuing a career in sustainability, one of the challenges we encounter is that our educational background might not be directly related to sustainability. So, when you were applying for this role, how did the company evaluate your qualifications and skills, given your prior lack of experience in this field?
In my situation, I believe what truly set me apart was my previous experience working at Ang Mo Kio Town Council. This role allowed me to build a substantial network of connections with a variety of organisations, including the People’s Association (PA), various community centres, and Members of Parliament (MPs). This network proved to be a valuable asset for the company because it meant I could effectively engage with communities, especially those with strong connections. I believe that it was this ability to reach a wider audience and establish meaningful connections that played a pivotal role in my hiring.
In your opinion, what is the hardest part of your job?
In my opinion, the most challenging aspect of my job is effectively managing my schedule. For instance, if someone schedules an event for November or December, I must proactively block those dates in my calendar and ensure I don't plan any leave or risk falling ill during that period. This means that I have to meticulously plan my activities, including vacations, several months in advance to avoid potential conflicts with my work commitments.
Given the nature of my role, where I handle many responsibilities independently with no one to provide coverage, it becomes crucial that I live up to my commitments. Missing scheduled school talks, especially after promising teachers, or taking unplanned sick leave would not reflect favourably on our company. Consequently, maintaining a well-organised and detailed schedule, often planned for several months, is a necessity.
Moreover, I occasionally find myself attending or hosting events on weekends as part of my job responsibilities, which further adds to the challenge of balancing work and personal life.
What motivates you in your current role?
I draw significant motivation from my work because it feels like I'm making a positive impact. When I visit schools and witness students grasping the importance of sustainability, it gives me a profound sense of achievement. I genuinely feel that I'm contributing something meaningful to the community by helping people understand these crucial concepts.
As an example, during my tenure at Ang Mo Kio Town Council, I was involved in the creation of banners for annual events such as Hari Raya and Chinese New Year. Coordinating photo shoots with various Members of Parliament (MPs) and aligning their schedules was sometimes demanding. However, when I walk past those banners and see the tangible results of my efforts, it fills me with a deep sense of accomplishment. I genuinely enjoy what I do because I can directly observe the real impact of my work.
Have there been instances where you needed to alter your outreach approach from the usual?
As of now, I haven't found it necessary to alter my approach. The stakeholders appear content with how I conduct outreach. My key performance indicator (KPI) entails conducting four school talks and two community events each month. However, I often surpass these targets, at times doubling the numbers. I tend to be quite flexible, so if someone requests my participation and my schedule allows for it, I'm inclined to accept rather than decline. I make an effort not to turn people down as it doesn't align with my values, which is why my schedule tends to be quite packed.
Apart from schools, are there other stakeholders you’ve collaborated with, perhaps major companies like Harvey Norman?
Yes, we engage in collaborations with various stakeholders. For example, leading up to International E-Waste Day on October 14th, we actively participated in organising an event at Toa Payoh Hub. We set up informational booths during this event, and I delivered educational talks to the attendees.
Additionally, we have established partnerships with electronic retailers like Harvey Norman, Courts, and Best Denki. When customers make new purchases at these retailers, they set aside their old electronics for us to collect. As part of the competition held during the event, those who make purchases during the event and also have an old electronic item to discard can enter a lucky draw with the opportunity to win a $20 NTUC voucher.
We also collaborate with town councils that request our assistance in collecting e-waste. It's worth noting that we do not generate revenue from the items we recover during the e-waste recycling process. In the past, various companies collected e-waste in Singapore, but the government has now established a standard wherein only ALBA is authorised to collect, which gives the National Environment Agency (NEA) greater oversight of the process. This arrangement ensures a circular chain in which the items are sent to recyclers who recover the materials and sell them back to the producers.
From what I understand, ALBA is responsible for the collection and sorting of e-waste. Who are your recyclers then?
An example of a recycler would be companies like EWR2. However, our choice of recyclers is primarily driven by the machinery and tools they have at their disposal. We conduct thorough audits to verify that they possess the appropriate equipment for various aspects of e-waste recycling. Some recyclers specialise in equipment for data removal from ICT equipment, while others have larger machinery designed to disassemble and recycle items like washing machines.
We maintain relationships with two distinct local recyclers, each specialising in different categories of e-waste. This dual approach ensures that in case one recycler faces any issues, we have another reliable option to turn to. Moreover, these recyclers are required to adhere to stringent safety standards and demonstrate their capacity for effective e-waste recycling. The quality and quantity of their machinery are critical factors in determining what types and quantities of e-waste they can handle. We carefully consider all of these specific details before formalising our partnerships with them.
Do you export overseas for recycling?
No, we are mandated to conduct all our operations within Singapore for this particular project.
What is your most memorable interaction since working in ALBA?
Every interaction in this job has left a lasting impression, but a few standout moments are particularly memorable.
One of these moments occurred during my visits to preschools for educational talks. I find it important to tailor my presentation and slides to match the comprehension levels of the children. For the youngest age groups, I avoid delving into complex topics such as regulated and non-regulated waste. Instead, I start with a simplified explanation, focusing solely on e-waste to prevent any confusion.
Another highly memorable experience was during my initial orientation when I accompanied the collection team on their truck routes. Witnessing the day-to-day routines of the collection team, following their routes to pick up the bins, and realising the challenges they face, such as accessing certain malls with loading bay restrictions, was truly eye-opening. In some instances, we needed clearance to enter specific areas, while in others, we had to park at a distance and manually push the bins to their designated locations. These experiences remain among the most vivid and memorable aspects of my role
To learn what e-waste you can and cannot recycle in Singapore, find out more about regulated and unregulated waste here.
ALBA seeks to make recycling convenient and easy for Singaporeans. Click here to find your nearest e-waste collection channel!
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