KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 10): 3cat Sdn Bhd signed a memorandum of collaboration (MOC) with Pos Malaysia Bhd, XOX Bhd and JCL Credit Leasing Sdn Bhd to reduce electronic waste (e-waste) through responsible electronic practices on Monday (Feb 9). This is through repairing, refurbishing and reusing electronic devices, alongside responsible end-of-life management.

Founded in 2023, 3cat is a Malaysian retailer for used and second-hand gadgets including consumer electronics such as handphones, laptops, smartwatches and tablets. The company currently operates more than 22 retail outlets nationwide.

The company’s co-founder and CEO Karl Loo said that premature disposal of functional electronics is a growing environmental challenge, adding that reuse and refurbishment can significantly reduce material waste.

“With over one billion smartphones sold globally, manufacturing accounts for the majority of a device’s environmental impact. Rather than buying new devices, reusing and refurbishment of gadgets can significantly reduce emissions and material waste,” said Loo during his opening speech at the launch held in Kuala Lumpur.

The MOC was signed in conjunction with the launch of 3cat’s circular week which will happen from Feb 9 to 15 at Low Yat Plaza.

Together with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), 3cat has also deployed the Small Information Technology and Telecommunication Devices Recycling Project (Kitar) bins in its premises at Low Yat Plaza.

The Kitar project was launched in 2015 and rebranded in 2022 to promote responsible disposal of small, broken or obsolete electronic devices.

“I think there is greater awareness now in Malaysia for sustainable practices and recycling old devices. MCMC has been pivotal in that conversation. They were looking for a retail channel partner, so people could drop off their end-of-life devices. We took up that opportunity to work with MCMC. For end of life, Kitar will handle [it], and as for assessment and resale, we will handle [it],” said Loo.

Meanwhile, MCMC will work with e-waste recyclers and the Department of Environment to ensure the safe and environmentally responsible disposal of end-of-life devices, said Fadli Amin, head of sustainability division at MCMC.

“[At the moment] we are just covering disposal (through the Kitar programme). Disposal should be the least, we need to enable a better circular ecosystem, so that these devices don’t just end up in a landfill. This year, we will engage with industry to enable the market better,” he added.

Additionally, Loo said that under the collaboration, partners will prioritise repair, refurbishment and reuse of electronic devices where feasible, encourage environmentally sound disposal and recycling when reuse is no longer viable, and support alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production.

For instance, Pos Malaysia which is 3cat’s logistics partner, will utilise its electric vehicle delivery fleet to transport nearly all of 3cat’s deliveries, aligning the distribution of refurbished and second-hand devices with greener delivery practices.

“Advances in technology have helped people live more meaningful and productive lives, and as we continue to increase our consumption of tech devices year-over-year in Malaysia, we must also make sustainability a key consideration to address potential climate impact,” said Loo.