As part of the effort to combat marine plastic litter, a Member of Parliament of Singapore proposed to the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (formerly known as the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources [MEWR]) the ban of single-use plastic, However, MEWR (through its senior minister of state) and NEA both argued against it (Eco-Business, 2018), saying that the plastic litter issue should be tackled through public education and not through policy. Senior Minister Amy Khor emphasised that the government’s aim was to encourage consumers and businesses to reduce plastic use ‘beyond what the regulations require’. She explained that ‘[t]his process may take longer. But this is the right way; the positive effects will go beyond plastic bags, beyond packaging, beyond waste management to areas including climate action’. Meanwhile, NEA argued that since majority of residents live in high-rise buildings, plastic bags are still needed to hygienically dispose of their food waste or risk pest outbreaks.
Singapore has conducted several initiatives to reduce plastic use, including the Singapore Packaging Agreement, launched in 2007. This voluntary agreement within industries and non-governmental organisations to reduce packaging waste has successfully gathered 239 signatories and reduced a cumulative of 54,000 tonnes of packaging waste (NEA, 2019a; MEWR, 2019). Major supermarket, such as NTUC Fairprice, have implemented rebates for consumers who bring their own shopping bags. Some retailers, such as Miniso, have started charging S$0.10 per plastic bag use.
Going forward, Singapore has released the Zero Waste Masterplan which maps strategies to achieve the vision of Zero Waste Nation (NEA, 2019b) (Table 1).
Table 1. Target Items and Measures on Plastic Waste
Target | Period | Measure |
|---|---|---|
Increase national recycling rate to 70%: 81% non-domestic recycling rate and 30% domestic recycling rate | 2019–2030 | Extend Semakau Landfill’s lifespan beyond 2035 |
Reduce the daily amount of waste sent to Semakau Landfill from 0.36 kg/capita (2018) to 0.25 kg/capita (2030) | ||
Launch the Multi-Storey Recycling Facility to house under one roof recyclers handling different forms of waste streams like metals, e-waste, paper, and plastics | ||
Enhance the redevelopment and land intensification at Sarimbun Recycling Park to handle a quarter of the country’s recycling | ||
Redesign the labels on the blue recycling bins for clearer information on what can and cannot be deposited in the bins | ||
Equip the garbage trucks with robotic arms that can lift and empty recycling bins | ||
Mandatory packaging data reporting for packaged products producers and supermarkets | 2020 | Packaged products producers and supermarkets with an annual turnover of more than S$10 million will be required to report data on packaging put on the market and their 3R plans for packaging |
Expand the mandatory reporting to all large industrial and commercial premises, including large convention and exhibition centres | ||
Implement an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework for managing packaging waste including plastics | No later than 2025 | Further promote sustainable consumption of packaging through the Singapore Packaging Agreement |
Support ground-up initiatives by funding campaigns such as Zero Waste SG’s Bring Your Own (BYO) | ||
Study the approach and consult with industries | ||
Benchmark EPR mechanisms for packaging waste management vis-a-vis those adopted by other countries |
Source: NEA (2019b).
To reiterate the measures mandated in the Zero Waste Masterplan, in February 2021, Singapore released the Singapore Green Plan 2030. It is a whole-of-nation movement to advance Singapore’s national agenda on sustainable development. One of the key programmes of the Green Plan is creating sustainable living through a circular economy. Reducing the waste sent to the landfill by 20% by 2026, with the goal of reaching 30% by 2030, is the main target of this programme. To achieve this target, Singapore would be endorsing their NEWSand materials created from incinerated waste for construction purposes, while also increasing the recycling rate.
In conjunction with the World Environment Day 2022, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment launched the National Action Strategy on Marine Litter, which aims to galvanise a whole-of-nation effort to combat marine litter. It outlines six strategic focus areas tailored to the local context, each elaborated with some targeted measures (Table 2).
Table 2. Focus Areas and Measures in National Action Strategy on Marine Litter
No. | Focus Area | Measure |
|---|---|---|
1. | Reduction of land-based sources of litter | Control of waste collection and disposal |
Integrated solid waste management system | ||
Treatment of wastewater before discharge to sea | ||
Clean up of waterways and coastal waters | ||
Regulation of general waste disposal facilities | ||
2. | Reduction of sea-based sources of litter | Inspection on ships to check compliance to regulations on garbage disposal into the sea |
Prohibition of waste dumping from offshore fish farms | ||
Clean up of coastal waters | ||
Implementation of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships | ||
3. | Circular economy approach | Reduction of use of disposables |
Promotion of recycling | ||
Implementation of Resource Sustainability Act 2019 to address priority waste streams | ||
4. | Research and development | Study and development of membrane bioreactor technology systems at water reclamation plants |
Study on marine debris by the National Parks Board and the National University of Singapore | ||
Use of technology | ||
5. | Promotion and strengthening of outreach and stakeholder engagement | People, private and public partnerships to reduce land-based solid waste |
Raising of awareness through collaboration with ground-up initiatives | ||
Engagement of citizens to co-create solutions | ||
Community initiatives to ignite mindset and behaviour change | ||
Education of youths through incorporation of sustainability elements into national school curriculum | ||
6. | International engagement and collaboration | Involvement in international and regional platforms |
Capacity-building programmes to support developing countries |
Source: MSE (2022).
Eco-Business (2018), Singapore environment ministry pushes back against MP’s proposal to cut single-use plastic and tax bags. https://www.eco-business.com/news/singapore-environment-ministry-pushes-back-against-mps-proposal-to-cut-single-use-plastic-and-tax-bags/ (accessed 02 October 2019).
Green Plan (2021), Sustainable Development — A Core Belief. https://www.greenplan.gov.sg/about/vision (accessed 26 November 2021).
Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) (2022). National Action Strategy on Marine Litter. https://www.mse.gov.sg/nasml (accessed 09 June 2022).
Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) (2018), Public Sector Sustainability Plan 2017–2020. Singapore: MEWR. https://www.mewr.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/grab-our-research/Public_Sector_Sustainability_Plan_2017-2020.pdf (accessed 02 October 2019).
Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) (2019), Speeches. https://www.mewr.gov.sg/news/address-by-dr-amy-khor—senior-minister-of-state—ministry-of-the-environment-and-water-resources-and-ministry-of-health—at-the-eu-conference-towards-a-plastic-free-ocean—what-role-for-policymakers–civil-society-and-business—on-25-oct-2017 (accessed 02 October 2019).
National Environment Agency (NEA) (2019a), Singapore Packaging Agreement. https://www.nea.gov.sg/programmes-grants/schemes/singapore-packaging-agreement (accessed 02 October 2019).
National Environment Agency (NEA) (2019b), Zero Waste Masterplan: Singapore. MEWR. https://www.towardszerowaste.sg/images/zero-waste-masterplan.pdf (accessed 02 October 2019).
As part of the effort to combat marine plastic litter, a Member of Parliament of Singapore proposed to the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (formerly known as the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources [MEWR]) the ban of single-use plastic, However, MEWR (through its senior minister of state) and NEA both argued against it (Eco-Business, 2018), saying that the plastic litter issue should be tackled through public education and not through policy. Senior Minister Amy Khor emphasised that the government’s aim was to encourage consumers and businesses to reduce plastic use ‘beyond what the regulations require’. She explained that ‘[t]his process may take longer. But this is the right way; the positive effects will go beyond plastic bags, beyond packaging, beyond waste management to areas including climate action’. Meanwhile, NEA argued that since majority of residents live in high-rise buildings, plastic bags are still needed to hygienically dispose of their food waste or risk pest outbreaks.
Singapore has conducted several initiatives to reduce plastic use, including the Singapore Packaging Agreement, launched in 2007. This voluntary agreement within industries and non-governmental organisations to reduce packaging waste has successfully gathered 239 signatories and reduced a cumulative of 54,000 tonnes of packaging waste (NEA, 2019a; MEWR, 2019). Major supermarket, such as NTUC Fairprice, have implemented rebates for consumers who bring their own shopping bags. Some retailers, such as Miniso, have started charging S$0.10 per plastic bag use.
Going forward, Singapore has released the Zero Waste Masterplan which maps strategies to achieve the vision of Zero Waste Nation (NEA, 2019b) (Table 1).
Table 1. Target Items and Measures on Plastic Waste
Target | Period | Measure |
|---|---|---|
Increase national recycling rate to 70%: 81% non-domestic recycling rate and 30% domestic recycling rate | 2019–2030 | Extend Semakau Landfill’s lifespan beyond 2035 |
Reduce the daily amount of waste sent to Semakau Landfill from 0.36 kg/capita (2018) to 0.25 kg/capita (2030) | ||
Launch the Multi-Storey Recycling Facility to house under one roof recyclers handling different forms of waste streams like metals, e-waste, paper, and plastics | ||
Enhance the redevelopment and land intensification at Sarimbun Recycling Park to handle a quarter of the country’s recycling | ||
Redesign the labels on the blue recycling bins for clearer information on what can and cannot be deposited in the bins | ||
Equip the garbage trucks with robotic arms that can lift and empty recycling bins | ||
Mandatory packaging data reporting for packaged products producers and supermarkets | 2020 | Packaged products producers and supermarkets with an annual turnover of more than S$10 million will be required to report data on packaging put on the market and their 3R plans for packaging |
Expand the mandatory reporting to all large industrial and commercial premises, including large convention and exhibition centres | ||
Implement an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework for managing packaging waste including plastics | No later than 2025 | Further promote sustainable consumption of packaging through the Singapore Packaging Agreement |
Support ground-up initiatives by funding campaigns such as Zero Waste SG’s Bring Your Own (BYO) | ||
Study the approach and consult with industries | ||
Benchmark EPR mechanisms for packaging waste management vis-a-vis those adopted by other countries |
Source: NEA (2019b).
To reiterate the measures mandated in the Zero Waste Masterplan, in February 2021, Singapore released the Singapore Green Plan 2030. It is a whole-of-nation movement to advance Singapore’s national agenda on sustainable development. One of the key programmes of the Green Plan is creating sustainable living through a circular economy. Reducing the waste sent to the landfill by 20% by 2026, with the goal of reaching 30% by 2030, is the main target of this programme. To achieve this target, Singapore would be endorsing their NEWSand materials created from incinerated waste for construction purposes, while also increasing the recycling rate.
In conjunction with the World Environment Day 2022, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment launched the National Action Strategy on Marine Litter, which aims to galvanise a whole-of-nation effort to combat marine litter. It outlines six strategic focus areas tailored to the local context, each elaborated with some targeted measures (Table 2).
Table 2. Focus Areas and Measures in National Action Strategy on Marine Litter
No. | Focus Area | Measure |
|---|---|---|
1. | Reduction of land-based sources of litter | Control of waste collection and disposal |
Integrated solid waste management system | ||
Treatment of wastewater before discharge to sea | ||
Clean up of waterways and coastal waters | ||
Regulation of general waste disposal facilities | ||
2. | Reduction of sea-based sources of litter | Inspection on ships to check compliance to regulations on garbage disposal into the sea |
Prohibition of waste dumping from offshore fish farms | ||
Clean up of coastal waters | ||
Implementation of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships | ||
3. | Circular economy approach | Reduction of use of disposables |
Promotion of recycling | ||
Implementation of Resource Sustainability Act 2019 to address priority waste streams | ||
4. | Research and development | Study and development of membrane bioreactor technology systems at water reclamation plants |
Study on marine debris by the National Parks Board and the National University of Singapore | ||
Use of technology | ||
5. | Promotion and strengthening of outreach and stakeholder engagement | People, private and public partnerships to reduce land-based solid waste |
Raising of awareness through collaboration with ground-up initiatives | ||
Engagement of citizens to co-create solutions | ||
Community initiatives to ignite mindset and behaviour change | ||
Education of youths through incorporation of sustainability elements into national school curriculum | ||
6. | International engagement and collaboration | Involvement in international and regional platforms |
Capacity-building programmes to support developing countries |
Source: MSE (2022).
Eco-Business (2018), Singapore environment ministry pushes back against MP’s proposal to cut single-use plastic and tax bags. https://www.eco-business.com/news/singapore-environment-ministry-pushes-back-against-mps-proposal-to-cut-single-use-plastic-and-tax-bags/ (accessed 02 October 2019).
Green Plan (2021), Sustainable Development — A Core Belief. https://www.greenplan.gov.sg/about/vision (accessed 26 November 2021).
Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) (2022). National Action Strategy on Marine Litter. https://www.mse.gov.sg/nasml (accessed 09 June 2022).
Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) (2018), Public Sector Sustainability Plan 2017–2020. Singapore: MEWR. https://www.mewr.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/grab-our-research/Public_Sector_Sustainability_Plan_2017-2020.pdf (accessed 02 October 2019).
Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) (2019), Speeches. https://www.mewr.gov.sg/news/address-by-dr-amy-khor—senior-minister-of-state—ministry-of-the-environment-and-water-resources-and-ministry-of-health—at-the-eu-conference-towards-a-plastic-free-ocean—what-role-for-policymakers–civil-society-and-business—on-25-oct-2017 (accessed 02 October 2019).
National Environment Agency (NEA) (2019a), Singapore Packaging Agreement. https://www.nea.gov.sg/programmes-grants/schemes/singapore-packaging-agreement (accessed 02 October 2019).
National Environment Agency (NEA) (2019b), Zero Waste Masterplan: Singapore. MEWR. https://www.towardszerowaste.sg/images/zero-waste-masterplan.pdf (accessed 02 October 2019).
