NEA audit to establish potential for reducing food and packaging waste

The tender to conduct a waste audit for up to 300 households of different housing types will close on Dec 14, 2015. PHOTO: NEA

SINGAPORE - The National Environment Agency (NEA) called a tender Tuesday (Nov 24) to conduct a waste audit for up to 300 households of different housing types.

The winning bidder will be required to collect waste disposed by participating households. The waste, to be collected on pre-arranged dates, will be sorted into categories like food and packaging waste, before being weighed.

Data obtained from the audit will help the NEA establish the potential for further reduction of food and packaging waste. It will also help it to develop programmes to reduce waste in Singapore.

Food waste will be categorised as "avoidable" or "unavoidable".

Avoidable food waste refers to food for human consumption that consumers could reduce or avoid generating, such as expired food products or leftovers. Unavoidable food waste refers to kitchen waste like egg shells, bones and coffee grounds.

Packaging waste will be sorted into plastic, paper, metal, glass and composites.

"The audit will support Singapore's plans to achieve our vision of being a Zero Waste Nation under the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint," the NEA said.

The tender will close at 4pm on Dec 14. The waste audit for households is expected to commence early next year.

byseow@sph.com.sg

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