Slight drop in overall recycling rate in Year of Climate Action

2018 fall attributed to decline in wood waste recycled; domestic sector saw small uptick

Plastic items meant for recycling. The overall recycling rate fell from 61 per cent in 2017 to 60 per cent last year. This year has been labelled the Year Towards Zero Waste, with the Environment and Water Resources Ministry noting that effecting beh
Plastic items meant for recycling. The overall recycling rate fell from 61 per cent in 2017 to 60 per cent last year. This year has been labelled the Year Towards Zero Waste, with the Environment and Water Resources Ministry noting that effecting behavioural change requires a holistic approach and sustained engagement. ST FILE PHOTO
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Last year was Singapore's Year of Climate Action, but the call to save the earth may have been lost on its residents.

National Environment Agency (NEA) figures released this month showed the overall recycling rate fell from 61 per cent in 2017 to 60 per cent last year, mainly due to a drop in wood waste recycled.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 17, 2019, with the headline Slight drop in overall recycling rate in Year of Climate Action. Subscribe