S1E59: How iPhones, fast fashion spur the throwaway culture

Oct 7, 2025

43:07

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Buying new iPhones, wardrobe makeovers and single-use products have become social norms. But what happens to the old, replaced items?

Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

Annual launches like Apple’s iPhone have spurred the desire to own the latest piece of technology, as consumers face up to marketing tactics from smartphones to fast fashion.

Usually, older items that are replaced are being tossed away to make way for the new.

What else can be done to the replaced items apart from sending them to the landfill?

In this episode, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong examines whether we have a throwaway culture that’s grown despite years of public education and outreach and whether we are too quick to chuck stuff to make way for new ones. She also explores if the iPhone 17 is worth the upgrade from the iPhone 16.

Her guests are Mr Tan Ching Hwee, founder of myhalo, a platform allowing users to trade-in, repair, sell, and buy used digital devices; and Mr Lionel Dorai, executive director of Zerowaste SG, an NGO that advocates for Singapore to go zero waste through public education.

Highlights (click/tap above):

9:03 Upgrading from iPhone 16 to 17

12:53 Batteries in phones can be replaced

17:03 Pairing earbuds from different sets - does it work?

23:44 The repairing culture in curbing throwaways in fast fashion

31:46 How to decipher green washing tactics

35:34 Would CDC vouchers to subsidise repair costs encourage more to repair?

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Host: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

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