Chloe Zhang
Singapore's plastic waste is a pressing issue, with the country generating 957,000 tonnes of plastic waste in 2023, but only 5% of that was recycled. While the country has clean streets and beaches, it has relied heavily on incineration and exporting waste to other countries, which is unsustainable. Singapore's recycling industry faces challenges due to the high cost of sorting and processing plastic waste, and contamination of recyclables. China's ban on foreign garbage has also impacted Singapore, as it used to export much of its recyclable plastic there. Singapore needs to develop a robust local recycling infrastructure and encourage public awareness about proper waste disposal to improve its plastic recycling efforts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic waste generated in 2023 | 957,000 tonnes |
| Percentage of plastic waste recycled | 5% |
| Plastic waste generated in 2016 | 763,400 tonnes |
| Percentage of plastic waste recycled in 2016 | 6% |
| Plastic waste per capita increase over the last 15 years | Nearly 20% |
| Average number of plastic bags used per person in 2016 | 13 bags/day |
| Plastic products used yearly | 1.76 billion |
| Percentage of people unsure about the type of plastics that can be recycled | 70% |
| Plastic waste processed by Impetus Conceptus monthly | 600-700 tonnes |
| Percentage of plastic waste collected by Impetus Conceptus that cannot be recycled | More than 50% |
| Countries that imported plastic waste from Singapore in 2016 | China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic waste in Singapore is incinerated and the ash is sent to a landfill
- Singapore exports its plastic waste to other countries for recycling
- Plastic waste sorting is a costly process
- Plastic recycling is not a sustainable business model in Singapore
- Singapore's plastic waste problem is exacerbated by the use of disposable products
Plastic waste in Singapore is incinerated and the ash is sent to a landfill
Plastic waste is a significant issue in Singapore, with the country generating 957,000 tonnes of plastic waste in 2023. However, only a small percentage of this waste is recycled, and the rest is often incinerated and the ash sent to a landfill.
Singapore has a high consumption of plastic products, with people using at least 1.76 billion plastic bags, bottles, and disposables annually. This has led to a correspondingly high amount of plastic waste. In 2019, Singapore's recycling rate for plastic waste was only 4%, and overall recycling rates have been declining in recent years.
Historically, Singapore exported a large proportion of its recyclable plastic overseas, particularly to China. However, China's decision to ban "foreign garbage" in 2018 has disrupted this practice and left Singapore struggling to find sustainable alternatives. As a result, much of the plastic waste that would have been exported for recycling is now being incinerated instead.
Incineration is not without its drawbacks, as it contributes to increased carbon emissions and air pollution. Additionally, the ash produced by incineration must be deposited in a landfill. Singapore's sole landfill, the Semakau Landfill, is projected to run out of space by 2035 or even earlier, highlighting the urgency of improving waste management practices.
While there have been efforts to promote recycling in Singapore, such as increasing the number of recycling bins and awareness campaigns, the country continues to face challenges in this area. The sorting and processing of plastic waste for recycling can be costly and labour-intensive, and there is a lack of awareness among the public about proper recycling practices, leading to contamination and further complications in the recycling process.
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Singapore exports its plastic waste to other countries for recycling
Plastic products are heavily used in Singapore, with people using at least 1.76 billion disposable plastic items every year. However, awareness about recycling is lacking, with almost half of the respondents in a survey by the Singapore Environment Council reporting that they use three or more plastic bags per supermarket trip. In 2023, Singapore generated 957,000 tonnes of plastic waste, but only 5% (48,000 tonnes) were recycled.
Due to the high land and manpower costs in Singapore, some companies transport their recyclable plastic waste to other countries for further processing. For example, V1 Recycle and Impetus Conceptus send their plastic waste to a facility in Ulu Tiram, Johor Baru, Malaysia. Singapore has also exported plastic waste to China, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. However, since China's ban on "foreign garbage" in 2018, Singapore has had to find other destinations for its plastic waste exports.
While exporting plastic waste can help countries avoid the costs of recycling, reusing, or properly processing waste, it also has negative consequences. It contributes to ocean plastic pollution, with 5% of ocean plastic pollution coming from waste exports. Additionally, exported plastic waste is often burned or dumped illegally, releasing toxic chemical pollutants into the air and water supplies.
Singapore has taken some steps to improve its recycling infrastructure, such as passing a new law restricting plastic exporters from shipping contaminated or difficult-to-recycle materials without the receiving country's consent. However, it still faces challenges in managing its plastic waste sustainably.
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Plastic waste sorting is a costly process
Plastic waste sorting is a costly and complex process. In Singapore, the public's lack of awareness about recycling contributes to the challenge of plastic waste sorting. People in Singapore use at least 1.76 billion disposable plastic items annually, and almost half of the respondents in a Singapore Environment Council survey reported using three or more plastic bags per supermarket trip. However, around 70% of people are unsure about the types of plastics that can be recycled, leading to many plastics being incorrectly discarded as general waste.
The sorting process itself requires either expensive machinery or skilled labour, driving up costs. Plastic waste must be sorted by type and colour, with clear plastics fetching the highest value due to their ease of dyeing. However, contamination further complicates the process. Food and drink residues, as well as the mixing of different types of plastics, hinder recycling and segregation. For example, separating the labels (PVC) and bottle caps (HDPE) from PET drink bottles is often difficult and costly, resulting in some plastics ending up in landfills despite being technically recyclable.
The high land and manpower costs in Singapore have led some companies, such as V1 Recycle and Impetus Conceptus, to transport their recyclable plastic waste to facilities in Malaysia for further processing. Singapore's recycling industry has faced additional challenges due to China's ban on importing "foreign garbage," which previously included a significant proportion of Singapore's recyclable plastic. This ban has disrupted the global recycling industry and forced Singapore to explore alternative solutions for its plastic waste.
While incineration has been suggested as an alternative to recycling, it is not a sustainable long-term solution. Singapore's Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has warned that at the current rate of waste production and incineration, the Semakau Landfill will run out of space by 2035, a decade earlier than previously estimated. Climate groups and experts have urged the Singaporean government to increase its focus on tackling waste and improving recycling infrastructure, rather than solely relying on incineration.
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Plastic recycling is not a sustainable business model in Singapore
Additionally, the process of recycling plastic is costly and complex. The sorting process, for example, requires either expensive machinery or skilled workers, and even then, more than half of the plastic waste collected by recycling companies cannot be recycled due to contamination. This contamination often comes in the form of food and drink residues or the mixing of different types of plastics, which complicates the recycling and segregation process. As a result, many plastics end up in landfills instead of being recycled.
The issue of plastic waste in Singapore is further exacerbated by the country's limited options for waste management. Singapore used to export much of its recyclable plastic to China, but this is no longer possible due to China's ban on "foreign garbage". While recycling companies have turned to other countries like Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia, this is not a long-term solution. Impetus Conceptus director and co-founder Thomas Wong emphasizes the importance of Singapore building up its own recycling infrastructure instead of relying on exporting its waste overseas.
In the absence of a robust recycling system, Singapore has primarily relied on incineration to manage its waste. However, this method is also unsustainable. The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has warned that at the current rate of waste production and incineration, the Semakau Landfill, which was supposed to meet Singapore's dumping needs until 2045, will run out of space by 2035. This issue is made worse by the increase in the use of disposable products, which is causing the amount of waste generated to grow faster than recycling initiatives can keep up with.
Overall, plastic recycling in Singapore is hindered by a lack of public awareness, the complexity and cost of the recycling process, limited waste management options, and the unsustainable nature of incineration as a primary waste management strategy. As a result, plastic recycling is currently not a sustainable business model in the country.
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Singapore's plastic waste problem is exacerbated by the use of disposable products
Singapore's plastic waste problem is a pressing issue, with the city-state generating 957,000 tonnes of plastic waste in 2023, of which only 5% was recycled. This problem is indeed exacerbated by the use of disposable products, with the convenience culture of deliveries and takeout meals contributing significantly. The increase in single-use plastics, such as disposable cups, utensils, straws, bags, and food packaging, has led to a surge in plastic waste.
While Singapore has managed to maintain clean streets and trash-free public spaces, the country has relied heavily on incineration and landfilling to manage its waste. However, this approach is proving unsustainable. The Semakau Landfill, Singapore's only landfill, is now projected to reach capacity by 2035, a decade earlier than initially estimated due to the growing use of disposable products.
The recycling rate in Singapore is low, with only a small portion of plastic waste being recycled. This is partly due to a lack of awareness about recycling among the public. Many people are unsure about the types of plastics that can be recycled, leading to contamination and improper disposal. Additionally, the process of sorting and separating different types of plastics for recycling is challenging and costly, requiring skilled labour or expensive machinery.
Previously, Singapore exported a significant portion of its recyclable plastic waste to China. However, China's decision to ban "foreign garbage" in 2018 has disrupted this practice, leaving Singapore with limited options for recycling its plastic waste. The ban has also impacted the local recycling industry, with some companies choosing to incinerate plastic waste instead of sorting and recycling it due to the lack of demand for recyclable materials.
To address the plastic waste problem exacerbated by disposable products, Singapore should focus on reducing the use of single-use plastics and promoting reusable alternatives. Additionally, the country needs to invest in developing a robust recycling infrastructure, improving public awareness about recycling practices, and implementing policies that encourage recycling and reduce plastic waste generation.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Singapore does recycle plastic. However, in 2023, only 5% of the 957 thousand tonnes of plastic waste generated was recycled.
Singapore's plastic waste is sorted, processed, and recycled by companies like Impetus Conceptus and V1 Recycle. However, due to high costs in Singapore, these companies transport the waste to a facility in Johor Baru, Malaysia, for further processing.
The types of plastic that can be recycled in Singapore include Clean, Clear Stretch Film with no labels, tapes, and stickers (LPDE), Clean IC Tubes with no labels and stickers, and Acrylic (PMMA), among others.
Yes, Singapore incinerates a significant amount of its plastic waste before putting it in landfills. This has been a controversial issue, with some arguing that it is unsustainable in the long run.
Singapore has set a goal to become a "zero-waste" nation, aiming to eventually send no waste to landfills. However, there have been calls for the government to increase financial support for recycling initiatives and implement measures like mandatory charges for plastic bags.
