Latest figures from the National Environment Agency show that Singapore generated 7.7 million tonnes of solid waste in 2017, down slightly from the 7.81 million tonnes in 2016. However, the overall recycling rate remained at 61%. Both the non-domestic and domestic recycling rates also remained at 76% and 21% respectively.
Domestic recycling generally refers to recycling waste produced by households and trade premises, while non-domestic recycling generally refers to recycling waste produced by industries and corporations.
The Republic lists “Towards a zero-waste nation” as one of the five broad areas under the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint 2015, which contains a series of environmental goals to be met by 2030.
Singapore’s National Recycling Programme was launched in 2001 to carry out fortnightly collections of recyclables from Housing Board blocks and landed homes. Since then it has been extended to all households. From 2011 to 2014, standardised blue recycling bins were introduced to all HDB blocks and landed homes. Also, since 2014, all new public housing developments launched have been fitted with dual chutes for refuse and recyclables. From 1 April 2018, dual chutes will be extended to new non-landed private residential developments taller than four storeys. From 1 Aug 2018, all existing condominiums will also have to provide one recycling bin per block.
Currently, public waste collectors also carry out Cash For Trash collections where residents can exchange recyclable items for cash.
In Singapore, most waste is incinerated, except for those forms that cannot be burnt because they would cause too much pollution to the environment or damage to the incineration plant. The non-incinerable waste, as well as the ash from the incinerable waste, would then be transported to Singapore’s only landfill on Pulau Semakau.
Opened in 1999, the landfill was expected to last until 2045, but projections based on Singapore’s current rates of disposal show that it may now last only until 2035.
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Source: The Straits Times, 2 April 2018