Where does your food waste go?

Developers investing in systems that turn it into sludge for better disposal, amid drive to lessen environmental impact

In Singapore, food waste has risen 40 per cent from 2008 to 2017. As part of efforts towards the Zero Waste Masterplan, developers like Lendlease are adopting sustainable ways to manage their food waste.
A cleaning assistant operating Jem mall's eco-digester, which turns food waste into sludge before sending it into the sewers. It is a simple process for Jem's 79 food and beverage tenants to dispose of their food waste via the eco-digester, said Lend
A cleaning assistant operating Jem mall’s eco-digester, which turns food waste into sludge before sending it into the sewers. It is a simple process for Jem’s 79 food and beverage tenants to dispose of their food waste via the eco-digester, said Lendlease head of asset operations Jenny Khoo. All they have to do is to segregate the food waste into organic and non-organic types. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
An employee segregating food waste from general waste at the Koufu foodcourt in Jem mall. Porous baskets at the collection points first help to separate liquids from solid food. The liquid waste is then double-bagged, before the bags are taken to the
An employee segregating food waste from general waste at the Koufu foodcourt in Jem mall. Porous baskets at the collection points first help to separate liquids from solid food. The liquid waste is then double-bagged, before the bags are taken to the basement to be processed by the eco-digester. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
Derek Wong
Updated
Apr 16, 2019, 08:28 AM
Published
Apr 16, 2019, 05:00 AM
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It is a common refrain in foodcourts these days - "please return your trays". But what happens to the leftovers after you do so?

Food waste is usually dumped in bins before it is collected together with general waste and taken to the incinerators to be burned, which strains the environment.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 16, 2019, with the headline Where does your food waste go?. Subscribe

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