Uber offers free electronic junk pickup service — but you’ll have to hurry

Dubai: For two more days, residents in Dubai can hail an Uber car to get rid of their old mobile phones, laptops, DVD players, and other electronic gadgets that you want to throw away.

From July 2 to 4, members of the public in the following locations can request an Uber to pick up their electronic-waste materials, for free:

• Dubai Science Park
• Dubai Internet City
• Dubai Media City
• Dubai Studio City
• Dubai Knowledge Park
• Dubai International Academic City and
• Dubai Outsource City

The e-waste will be taken to Averda, a waste management service, for processing and disposal.

On its Twitter account, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) posted a video of its minister, Dr Thani Ahmad Al Zeyoudi, explaining what can happen to the environment if you do not dispose of your e-waste properly.  

On average, a UAE resident produces 17.2 kilogram of e-waste every year. In 2015, this amounted to nearly 600,000 tonnes in the region. By 2020, e-waste generation in the GCC is expected to reach a staggering 900,000 tonnes, according to a United Nations research project.  

Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, executive director at Dubai Science Park, said in a statement: “This campaign raises awareness about the importance of recycling and the role it has in reducing our carbon footprint and creating more sustainable, eco-friendly business practices.”

How it works

1. Open or download the Uber app
2. Request an ‘UberRECYCLE’ between 10am and 4pm, from July 2 to 4
3. If an ‘UberRECYCLE’ is available, a partner-driver will head your way to pick up your items
4. Recycling your technology is totally free

Some items may require extra preparation before donation. Uber won’t be responsible for data left on any donated equipment. Please remember to remove personal data from hard drives or other storage media before having them picked up by Uber.