Forum: Accountability must start with those generating and throwing away waste

We wish to highlight a growing concern regarding improper waste disposal practices, particularly the indiscriminate dumping of bulky, hazardous and unacceptable items.

Waste generators – including households, building managers and commercial operators – must play an active role in cooperating with licensed waste collectors to ensure waste is sorted and disposed of correctly.

The presence of prohibited waste materials at discharge points has led to serious operational issues. In some cases, disposal vehicles have been denied entry to the national disposal facility, causing costly delays and inefficiencies.

Even more critically, the improper disposal of hazardous materials has contributed to fires and other safety hazards at recycling facilities, endangering lives and damaging vital infrastructure.

We also urge that enforcement efforts be strengthened and shared across the chain of responsibility. It is neither fair nor effective to place the burden solely on waste transporters.

As an analogy, delivery crew who drop off parcels do not know what is inside the parcel, and only the senders do. Similarly, waste collectors and waste transporters cannot verify every waste item they collect and transport. Accountability must start with those generating and throwing away waste.

We call on all citizens, residents, building owners and managers to recycle right by segregating waste responsibly and working closely with licensed waste collectors. Only through collective responsibility and proper enforcement can we ensure the safety, sustainability and efficiency of the national waste management system.

Fang Wei Goh
Executive Director
Waste Management and Recycling Association of Singapore