3 million tonnes of waste discarded in Singapore last year

NEA: Plastic made up about 30% of that, food 20%; overall recycling rates down

The 350ha Semakau Landfill was created from the sea space between two offshore islands about 8km south of mainland Singapore. Last year, the Government outlined its first Zero Waste Masterplan to reduce the amount of waste sent to the Semakau Landfil
Workers clearing a rubbish chute at a Housing Board block in Kim Keat last year. There was a 6 per cent reduction in the total amount of waste generated last year compared with 2018. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
The 350ha Semakau Landfill was created from the sea space between two offshore islands about 8km south of mainland Singapore. Last year, the Government outlined its first Zero Waste Masterplan to reduce the amount of waste sent to the Semakau Landfil
The 350ha Semakau Landfill was created from the sea space between two offshore islands about 8km south of mainland Singapore. Last year, the Government outlined its first Zero Waste Masterplan to reduce the amount of waste sent to the Semakau Landfill by 30 per cent by 2030. PHOTO: NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
Vanessa Liu
Updated
Published
April 16, 2020 at 5:00 AM
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"Given that 34 per cent of Singapore's recyclables are exported, the status of the external market and policy of other countries towards recyclables would have a significant impact on our recycling rate," said NEA.

Since the start of 2018, China has banned waste imports from foreign countries, including plastics, paper products and textiles.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 16, 2020, with the headline 3 million tonnes of waste discarded in Singapore last year. Subscribe

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