SINGAPORE - Hong Kah North constituency in Bukit Batok has launched a new initiative to further reduce its carbon footprint, doing its part to support the global climate pact sealed in Paris this month.

Under the initiative launched on Sunday (Dec 20), the constituency will intensify its efforts at getting residents to generate less waste through the 3Rs - reduce, reuse and recycle.

Under the Hong Kah North Towards A Zero Waste Community campaign, the Hong Kah North Grassroots Organisations (GROs) and the Waste Management and Recycling Association of Singapore (Wmras), which is partnering the constituency, are pushing for change in three areas.

They are: Recycling, reducing food waste and increasing awareness of environmental conservation and environmentally-friendly practices through the setting up of a eco community fund.

The campaign was launched by Dr Amy Khor, MP for Hong Kah North, at the Hong Kah North Community Club (CC) on Sunday.

To promote the recycling of material like newspapers, clothing, metal cans, plastic and e-waste, the constituency has placed four smart bins within the CC.

The smart bins, sponsored by waste management firm Otto Waste Systems, are equipped with sensors that will alert the town council when they are full. On top of that, two additional smart bins for general waste will be placed within the CC.

The smart bins are in line with Singapore's drive to be a Smart Nation, which aims to optimise logistics and collection operations using integrated technological and management solutions.

Dr Khor also visited the nearby hawker centre to urge residents to reduce food waste by not over-ordering.

Lastly, through the setting up of the Hong Kah North Eco Community Fund, the constituency hopes to cultivate a green consciousness among residents, especially students.

Various individuals and companies have contributed $23,000 to the fund so far, part of which will be used to purchase simple composting machines for schools within the constituency. This will help raise recycling rate of food waste - the waste stream with the lowest recycling rate in Singapore.

Said Dr Khor, who is Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources and Health: "The historic global climate pact is but the first step for all of us to work towards ensuring that we will continue to have a liveable planet.

"We all have to do our part - government, companies, community and individuals - to conserve resources, reduce our energy consumption and contribute toward a reduction in energy intensity."