SINGAPORE
TOTAL WASTE PRODUCED
Graph of waste disposed, waste recycled and the total waste output in Singapore from 2003 to 2014. (Source: Zero Waste SG)
RECYCLING RATES
Breakdown of recycling rates of each material from 2003 to 2014. (Source: Zero Waste SG)
With an increasing population, total waste produced has been increasing. However, after discounting for recycling, the total waste disposed is increasing as well. This hints that the recycling efforts in Singapore is unable to keep up with our waste production.
High recycling rates in Singapore are mainly contributed by the industrial sector, where recycle materials such as construction debris and metal. However, the household recycling rates remain fairly low over the decade. Recycling rates for plastic stayed at about 7%.
LOW RECYCLING RATES
PULAU SEMAKAU
Singapore's only landfill – Pulau Semakau, is the first ever man-made offshore landfill. (Waste Management World, 2009) Water pollution by the landfill is kept to a minimum by layering the perimeter of the landfill with impermeable membrane, marine clay and rock layers. Pulau Semakau, with its flourishing marine wildlife, is currently open to the public for recreational purposes through activities such as bird watching and sports fishing. (Wild Singapore, n.d.)
​
Incineration is used to breakdown waste, a cost-effective method but potentially hazardous to human health due to dioxins produced. (Murdoch, 2008)
Burning and burying waste does not actually get rid of waste but merely just delaying the issue of pollution.
Even though Singapore may seem to be faring better in comparison to her neighbours in Southeast Asia, we must still stay alert as our Semakau Landfill would eventually be filled up. Future pollution problems caused by current methods must be anticipated and mitigated. One approach is to reduce the amount of waste disposed by increasing the recycling rates and reducing the waste output.
RECYCLING EFFORTS
One of the latest initiatives is installing a second waste chute in new residential developments for recyclables. (Boh, 2017) Blue recycling bins are available for residents of HDB estates and landed property estates, as part of the National Recycling Programme, which was implemented in 2001. (“Start Recycling at Home”, 2008)
While environment conservation attitudes have been embedded in education from a young age, recycling guidelines remain ambiguous in Singapore. (Lim, 2016) Lim reported that confusion over the usage of recycling bins had resulted in 30-50% of the items in the bins are non-recyclables (including pillows, soft toys and even unfinished food and drinks) which contaminated the other recyclables. Thus, conservation experts agreed that Singapore is not ready for recycling to be mandated in law, as residents have to fully understand the guidelines to recycling. (Boh, 2016)
The Singapore government does not wish to enforce recycling but instead, encourages recycling through increasing the ease of access to recycling infrastructure.
Dual chute systems will be found in new non-landed private properties - one for rubbish and another for recyclables. (Source: NEA)
Recycling is not the main focus of sustainable campaigns in Singapore. In the 2015 Sustainable Singapore Blueprint, reducing waste is one of the several aims that the campaign is targeting. Watch the video to find out more about the Blueprint, and see if you can find the part about reducing plastic waste!
SUSTAINABLE SINGAPORE
Recycling bin in Singapore treated as common garbage bin.
(Source: Today Online)