Under the Zero Waste Masterplan, the biggest goal is to extend lifespan of the Semakau Landfill beyond 2035 by reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill per person per day by 30% by 2030. The plan also includes working towards increasing the national recycling rate to 70%, non-domestic recycling rate to 81%, and domestic recycling rate to 30% by 2030.
However, much work and cooperation is required in order to raise our current recycling rates, especially in the domestic sector. The National Environmental Agency (NEA) reported that overall nationwide recycling rates reduced from 61% in 2018 to 59% in 2019. Amongst that, both non-domestic and domestic recycling rates declined from 75% to 73% and from 22% to 17% respectively.
Comparing the recycling rates of non-domestic and domestic sectors, there is considerable potential in increasing our domestic recycling rates to meet our nation’s recycling goals. What has contributed to our low household recycling rates? And what is being done to improve the nation’s recycling rate?