The Challenge We Face
Our recycling rates fell to their lowest point in 2024. As we launch the beverage container return scheme this year, we have a critical opportunity to harmonise and strengthen our entire recycling infrastructure.
The challenges run deeper than contamination alone. While construction and demolition waste achieves 99 percent recycling rates, household recycling tells a different story. According to NEA's 2024 statistics, only five percent of plastic is recycled and eight percent of glass. Much of what enters our blue bins is incinerated or exported rather than truly recycled.
Creating Viable Recycling Solutions
We need a multi-faceted approach. First, leverage government procurement power to create guaranteed demand for recycled materials. Expanding our existing green procurement frameworks to mandate minimum recycled content in construction materials, packaging, and office supplies would provide the certainty recycling operators need for investment. This market signal would ripple across the private sector.
Second, I welcome NEA's exploration of extending EPR to broader packaging waste, particularly plastics which constitute a third of our domestic waste. Paired with mandated recycled content requirements, this would address the economic barriers that currently make only five percent plastic recycling viable.
Third, upgrade our blue bin system progressively through pilots in new estates, introducing organic waste segregation first, supported by smart bins with contamination sensors.
Singapore's zero waste ambition requires recycling that actually recycles. Our citizens deserve a system with environmental integrity and economic viability.
References
2. https://www.nea.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/annex-tables-and-charts.pdf
