Waste Management and Recycling in Singapore

The public waste collection in Singapore is divided into nine sectors managed by four licensed Public Waste Collectors (PWCs) as shown below.

1. Pasir Ris-Tampines; Bedok; Tanglin-Bukit Merah (by Altvater Jakob Pte Ltd)


2. Jurong (by Colex Holdings Ltd)


3. Clementi; City; Hougang-Punggol; Woodlands-Yishun (by SembWaste Pte Ltd)


4. Ang Mo Kio-Toa Payoh (by 800 Super Waste Management Pte Ltd)

The PWCs are responsible for the collection of waste from residential and trade premises in Singapore. They are also required to provide recycling services under the National Recycling Programme (NRP). For commercial and industrial premises, the waste are collected separately by licensed general waste collectors.

The waste collected by the PWCs and general waste collectors are disposed of at the four incineration plants (Tuas, Tuas South, Senoko and Ulu Pandan) and the offshore Semakau landfill. Waste that are incinerable are sent to the incineration plants while non-incinerable waste and incineration ashes are sent to the landfill. About 90% of waste are incinerated and 10% are landfilled.

In 2007, about 2.57 million tonnes of waste was disposed - 58% was generated from residential premises, food centres and markets; and 42% was generated from commercial and industrial premises. Each person generated about 0.88 kg of domestic waste per day.

Waste that are not disposed of are sent for recycling. In 2007, about 3.03 million tonnes of waste was recycled and an overall recycling rate of 54% was achieved. The quantity and recycling rate for each type of waste are shown in the table below:

Image credit: pakalakamino. Table source: National Environment Agency.

What is Recycling?

Recycling refers to the processing of used and waste materials into new materials and products. This helps to prevent the disposal of the waste materials and reduce the use of virgin raw materials to manufacture products. Using existing waste material to manufacture products also tends to consume less energy and water resources as compared to using virgin material. The different types of materials that can be recycled includes paper, plastic, metal, glass, wood, horticultural, tyres, food, etc.

Recycling is one of the 3 'R's - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (in order of sequence) in waste management. The sequence is important, as source reduction is usually the best way to minimise waste while recycling still has some impact on the environment and should be done last. Reduce by not creating the waste or minimising the waste in the beginning. Reuse by using the waste several times or for another purpose. Recycle by sending the waste to be processed as a resource.

For example, let's take a look at a plastic bottle of mineral water. Reduce by not buying the plastic bottle and drink from the tap or use your own water bottle. But if you really have to buy the bottle of water, then reuse it after finishing. Reuse the plastic bottle as your water bottle for refilling, use it as a flower vase, use it for storing other liquids, or use it to make art decorative items. After reusing the plastic bottle for some time and when it becomes dirty or damaged, don't throw it away. Recycle the plastic bottle by depositing it into the recycling bag or bin under the recycling programmes.

Recycling is not THE solution to our overconsumption and waste problem. Recycling is only ONE of the waste management solutions to reduce the disposal of waste to our incineration plants and landfill, and encourage the reuse of used and waste materials. Recycling has to be practised with other green ideas such as reduce and reuse, sustainable design, design for the environment, cradle to cradle, biomimicry, zero waste, circular economy and sufficiency, in order to solve our waste problems.

Recycling is here to stay. Either you choose to criticise it and don't practise recycling. Or you can make it work and encourage others to recycle. Whichever choice you make, SG Recycle will give you more information and answer your queries or criticisms on recycling. Stay informed on recycling with our weekly posts.