Singapore's Plastic Recycling Efforts: How Effective Are They?

Singapore's plastic recycling rate is low, with only 4% of plastic bottles being recycled, and 6% of plastic waste overall. The country faces challenges in plastic recycling due to the variety of plastic types, the lack of public education on plastic recycling, and the need for better infrastructure. Singapore's plastic waste generation has increased significantly, reaching about 957,000 metric tons in 2023, with plastic waste making up around 14% of total waste. The country has taken initiatives to improve plastic recycling, including the launch of the Plastics Recycling Association of Singapore (PRAS) and partnerships with businesses to increase the use of recycled plastics.

Plastic waste in Singapore

Plastic waste is a significant issue in Singapore, with the city-state generating about 957,000 metric tons of plastic waste in 2023. This accounts for around 14% of the total waste produced in the country. The Singapore Environment Council (SEC) estimates that Singapore uses approximately 1.76 billion plastic items annually, including plastic bags, bottles, and disposable containers, cutlery, and cups.

The plastic recycling rate in Singapore is low, with only 4%-6% of plastic bottles being recycled, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA). This is attributed to various factors, including a lack of infrastructure, consumer education, and challenges in the recycling process.

One challenge is the wide variety of plastic types, with seven categories, each requiring separate processing. The contamination of plastic bales with other plastic types is a significant issue, as it can result in shipments being returned, per the Basel Convention. Sorting and baling plastics is a complex task, often done manually, and certain types, like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), are not in high demand for recycling due to health risks during the process.

The lack of local recycling facilities has resulted in a heavy reliance on exports, with 92% of Singapore's recyclable plastic being sent overseas in 2019. However, tightening restrictions from receiving countries have made exporting more difficult.

To address these issues, Singapore has established the Plastics Recycling Association (PRAS) to improve capabilities in plastics recycling and promote collaboration between stakeholders. The association aims to increase the plastic waste recycling rate to 30% in five years and 70% in ten years. Experts emphasize the need for consumer education on proper recycling methods and reducing plastic consumption as the best solution to tackle plastic waste.

Plastic recycling rate

Singapore's plastic recycling rate is low, with only 6% of plastic waste recycled in 2023. The National Environment Agency (NEA) has reported that Singapore generates about 1.76 billion plastic items annually, including plastic bags, bottles, and disposable containers, amounting to over a million tonnes of plastic waste.

The low recycling rate can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, Singapore lacks the infrastructure for plastic recycling, with a limited number of recycling plants and facilities. Additionally, consumers lack knowledge about proper recycling methods and the types of plastics that can be recycled. Close to 70% of Singapore residents are unsure about which plastics can be recycled, leading to contamination in the recycling process. The contamination rate for recycled waste is high, with almost 40% of recyclables collected from blue bins not being recycled.

To address these issues, the Plastics Recycling Association of Singapore (PRAS) was established in 2021 to increase the recycling rate of plastic waste to 30% in five years and 70% in ten years. PRAS aims to develop recycling solutions by fostering partnerships and knowledge exchange between stakeholders from industry and research, including waste management companies, chemical producers, academic institutions, and government agencies.

Another challenge in plastic recycling is the variety of plastic types. There are seven categories of plastic, each with unique properties, making it difficult for sorters in materials recovery facilities (MRFs) to separate and bale them correctly. Among the plastics, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is less desirable due to health risks during recycling, while PET, HDPE, and low-density polyethylene are more commonly recycled.

Furthermore, the export of plastic waste for recycling is becoming more challenging. In 2019, Singapore exported 92% of its recyclable plastic due to a lack of local recycling companies. However, receiving countries have tightened restrictions, making it harder for Singapore to export its plastic waste.

Plastic recycling process

Plastic recycling is a complex process that involves multiple steps. In Singapore, the plastic recycling rate is low, with only 6% of plastic waste being recycled. However, the country is taking steps to improve its recycling capabilities and increase the recycling rate. Here is an overview of the plastic recycling process in Singapore:

Collection and Sorting

The first step in the plastic recycling process is the collection of plastic waste. In Singapore, this is done through public recycling bins, known as blue recycling bins, found at every public housing block, as well as centralised recycling chutes. Additionally, there are private companies, such as Impetus Conceptus and V1 Recycle, that collect plastic waste from clients. After collection, the plastic waste is sorted. This can be done manually by workers or with the use of expensive machinery. The plastics are sorted by type and colour, and it is a challenging and costly process.

Cleaning and Processing

Once sorted, the plastic waste is cleaned and processed. This includes crushing the plastic into granular form or flakes to facilitate easier handling and further processing. Any metal contaminants are removed using magnets. Then, the plastic is blended, cleaned, and melted at temperatures ranging from 190°C to 300°C, depending on the plastic type.

Pelletizing and Manufacturing

The melted plastic is then cooled and pushed through thin openings to create long strands, which are cut into pellets. These plastic pellets are filtered to remove any odd-sized pieces and then collected and packed into bags. These recycled plastic pellets are the raw material for manufacturing new plastic products.

Exporting and Infrastructure Challenges

Singapore faces challenges in terms of recycling infrastructure and often exports its plastic waste to countries like Malaysia for further processing and recycling. However, there is a growing recognition of the need to develop local recycling capabilities and reduce dependence on exports. The country is exploring the establishment of dedicated plastic bottle recycling facilities and a Plastics Recycling Centre of Excellence to enhance its recycling infrastructure and capabilities.

Consumer Education and Awareness

Another critical aspect of improving plastic recycling in Singapore is consumer education and awareness. Many consumers are unsure about which types of plastics can be recycled and how to recycle them properly. This results in high contamination rates and plastic waste being disposed of as general waste. Educating the public about proper recycling methods and the types of recyclable plastics is essential to increasing the plastic recycling rate.

Plastic recycling challenges

Plastic recycling in Singapore presents several challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of awareness and education among consumers about the different types of plastics and their recyclability. According to a 2018 report by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC), nearly 70% of Singapore residents have a limited understanding of which types of plastics can be recycled. This lack of knowledge leads to plastics ending up in the general waste stream instead of being recycled properly.

Another challenge is the variety of plastic types. There are seven categories of plastic, each with distinct properties, and only a few types are commonly recycled, such as PET bottles, HDPE containers, and LDPE bags. The seventh category, labelled "others," includes hundreds or even thousands of plastic types that are generally not recycled. Sorting and separating these different plastics is a complex and laborious task, requiring manual sorting at materials recovery facilities (MRFs).

The contamination of plastic waste is also a significant issue. Contamination occurs when recyclables are mixed with non-recyclable materials, rendering the entire batch unusable. Consumers may unintentionally contaminate their recyclables by not knowing how to recycle plastics properly, leading to a high contamination rate in the collected waste. Additionally, water scarcity in Singapore makes it rare for plastics to be cleaned before exporting, further contributing to the contamination challenge.

The export of plastic waste is becoming increasingly challenging. In 2019, it was estimated that 92% of Singapore's recyclable plastic was exported due to the limited number of local plastic recycling companies. However, receiving countries have tightened their restrictions, and under the Basel Convention, exporters must ensure that contamination by other plastic types is capped at 0.5%. If the contamination rate exceeds this limit, the receiving country can return the shipment.

Lastly, Singapore's small size and escalating plastic usage pose challenges in waste management. The country's landfills, such as Pulau Semakau, are rapidly reaching their capacity, and without alternative solutions, they will be filled by 2035. The incineration of plastic waste contributes to air pollution, releasing harmful toxic gases if not properly managed. These factors underscore the urgency of addressing plastic recycling challenges in Singapore.

Plastic recycling goals

To address this issue, the Plastics Recycling Association of Singapore (PRAS) was launched in 2021 with the goal of increasing the recycling rate of plastic waste to 30% in five years and 70% in ten years. PRAS seeks to achieve this by setting up a dedicated bottle-to-bottle PET recycling plant and establishing a Plastics Recycling Centre of Excellence to develop regional recycling solutions. The association also aims to foster collaboration between various stakeholders, including industry, research, waste management, and government agencies, to exchange knowledge and best practices on plastic waste management.

One of the key challenges in plastic recycling in Singapore is the lack of proper infrastructure. The country has few plastic recycling companies, and most of its recyclable plastic (92% in 2019) was exported. However, tightening restrictions from receiving countries have made exporting plastic waste more difficult. Additionally, Singapore faces challenges in sorting and separating the various types of plastics, with consumers lacking knowledge about proper recycling methods, contributing to a high contamination rate in recycled waste.

To improve recycling rates, experts recommend improving public education on plastic recycling and reducing plastic consumption. The National Environment Agency is considering building Singapore's first plastic bottle-only recycling facility. Additionally, businesses are reviewing plastic packaging and setting targets to increase the use of recycled plastics in production. These collective efforts aim to catalyze the flow of capital towards sustainable development and a green economy, as outlined in Singapore's Green Plan.

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