Forum: Singapore can learn from recycling success in Europe and US

While Singapore strives to improve its recycling efforts, the United States and many European countries have achieved remarkable success in reducing waste and promoting sustainability, thanks to their well-established recycling infrastructure (

Singapore’s domestic recycling rate stalls at 12%, the lowest in over a decade

, June 19).

These countries have strict regulations, taxes and incentives that encourage recycling, and public education campaigns and community engagement efforts have fostered a culture of recycling.

Additionally, policies on extended producer responsibility (EPR), which makes producers responsible for their products along the entire life cycle, and deposit refund systems (DRS) have incentivised recycling and the use of sustainable packaging.

Convenient kerbside collection services have also made recycling easy and accessible, and ambitious recycling targets have driven innovation and investment in recycling technologies. Furthermore, collaboration between governments, businesses and communities has fostered a circular economy.

In contrast, Singapore faces challenges such as limited recycling infrastructure, a lack of strong regulations and incentives, and limited public education and awareness.

Singapore can learn from the successes of European countries and the US by investing in modern recycling infrastructure, strengthening regulations and incentives, intensifying public education and awareness campaigns, implementing EPR and DRS policies, enhancing kerbside collection services, setting ambitious recycling targets and goals, and fostering collaboration between the Government, businesses and communities.

By adopting these strategies, Singapore can improve its recycling rates and move towards a more sustainable future.

Keith Wong