SINGAPORE: CapitaLand is marking Earth Hour 2019 with a new e-waste or electronic waste collection record. Leveraging its vast network of office buildings and shopping malls in Singapore, CapitaLand has been actively encouraging its tenants and shoppers to take part in the Group’s e-waste collection initiative.[the_ad id=”31605″]In 2018, CapitaLand collected over 30,000 kg2of e-waste across 16 participating properties, a 33% increase year-on-year. Based on publicly available data, this sets a record of 53,000 kg of e-waste (approximately the weight of over 321,200 smart phones) collected in Singapore by a real estate company over two years.
Tan Seng Chai, Group Chief People Officer of CapitaLand Group and Chairman of the CapitaLand Sustainability Steering Committee, said: “Singapore is the second largest generator of e-waste in the region; but with only 5% of it being recycled and diverted from landfills, e-waste is a growing environmental problem for the country. By helping our tenants and shoppers to manage their e-waste safely through e-waste collection services at our properties, CapitaLand seeks to leverage our competencies and network to effect positive change for the environment. To mark Earth Hour this year, CapitaLand is embarking on a global sustainability outreach with over 280 online and offline activities across more than 30 countries. We want to encourage our customers around the world to join CapitaLand in taking climate action, by reducing waste and leading more sustainable lifestyles.”
Over 260 CapitaLand properties –including 31 properties in Singapore –will participate in Earth Hour on March 30, 2019 by switching off their façade and other non-essential lights at 8.30pm local time. CapitaLand has participated in the Earth Hour movement every year since its inception in Singapore in 2008.
Tan added: “Sustainability is a key focus for CapitaLand. As a leading global real estate company, we strive to create real estate products that are not just best in the world, but also best for the world. In addition to our ongoing efforts to integrate sustainability into our business across geographies and assets, and to engage our residents, shoppers and tenants to do more for the environment; CapitaLand is also partnering government and non-profit agencies in our global outreach. Through these activities, we hope our customers and stakeholders will continue making sustainable choices in the future.”