February 24, 2025 – Singapore Marks Significant Progress in Waste Reduction, Eyes Higher Recycling Rates
Singapore has witnessed a remarkable over 10% decrease in waste generation over the past decade, dropping from 7.851 million tonnes in 2013 to 6.859 million tonnes in 2023. Guided by the Zero Waste Masterplan established in 2019, the Singaporean government is striving to boost the recycling rate to 70% by 2030 and is urging all sectors of society to take active steps towards this goal.
In the realm of e-waste, Singapore faces challenges but is proactively addressing them. Annually, the city-state generates approximately 60,000 tonnes of e-waste, with the number of e-waste recycling companies on the rise. As of August 2024, there were 177 such enterprises, an increase of 14 from the previous year. Notably, KGS, since its inception in 2016, has set up 117 e-waste recycling stations across Singapore, collecting 101 tonnes of e-waste in 2023 and 104 tonnes in the first seven months of 2024. To facilitate public participation, KGS has introduced a new initiative allowing residents to collect free e-waste bags online, seal their e-waste in these bags, and deposit them in designated lockers for the company’s unified processing.
The issue of excessive packaging in consumer goods has also garnered the attention of the Singaporean government. A survey by Amazon Singapore revealed that 77% of consumers do not mind receiving online purchases without additional packaging, while 80% prefer simple packaging. In response, the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Singapore Manufacturing Federation have formed an action alliance, planning to release a “Sustainable Packaging” guide this year to reduce packaging waste in the e-commerce sector.
Furthermore, the Singaporean government actively engages businesses and environmental groups to organize various events aimed at enhancing public environmental awareness. Last summer’s “Green Singapore” campaign is one such example, featuring diverse activities including tours of the National Food Science Centre, insights into waste monitoring and management processes, and community cleaning efforts in attire made from upcycled materials. Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment and Transport, Mr. Mah Bow Tan, expressed hope that these activities would encourage more parents and children to participate and jointly cultivate environmental consciousness.
According to AsiaMB’s understanding, Singapore has clear guidelines for waste recycling. Blue recycling bins are designated for paper, plastic, glass, metal, and other recyclables, while electronic and electrical items must be deposited in specialized recycling bins. To facilitate public inquiry and differentiation, the NEA has collaborated with communication companies to launch an intelligent chatbot. By describing or uploading an image of an item, users can receive recycling advice and proper disposal methods.
Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu, emphasized that achieving the 2050 net-zero emissions target and sustainable development necessitates maximizing resource circularity and enhancing recycling efficiency. This endeavor requires the concerted efforts of government departments, enterprises, and civil organizations to collectively elevate public environmental awareness.