Notes

Chapter 1: Introduction
The aim of this report is to improve the stagnant domestic recycling rates in Singapore, especially paper/cardboard since they have high wastage levels but comparatively lower recycling rates. Our report encompasses strategies to increase convenience of recycling and to educate homemakers on recycling.

1.1 Choice Of Topic
The amount of rubbish generated is ever-increasing from 4,728,200 in 2003 to 7,673,500 in 2015 (Waste Statistics (2003-2015), 2017). With a 61％ recycling rate in 2016 (Waste Statistics and Overall Recycling, 2017), we acknowledge that unless a system is devised to bolster the recycling rate, the national recycling rate ambition (Sustainable Singapore Blueprint 2015, 2016) will not be met.

Our group has chosen to embark on Project Task 2, ‘Investment’. Investment is defined as the act of putting money, effort, time, etc. into something to make a profit or get an advantage (Investment, 2017). Thus, we are working towards increasing the investment efforts for domestic recycling in Singapore.

1.1.1 Current Trends In SG
From Fig. 1 below, we can see that Singapore’s domestic recycling rate of 20% in 2015 indicates that there has been a downward trend as compared to previous years, from 21% in 2012. Comparing these numbers to other similar system such as Hong Kong, whose average domestic recycling rate ranges around 43%, Singapore is below par. However, it also implies that Singapore's recycling rate has the potential to be higher.

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Domestic Recycling Rate 21% 20% 20% 20% 21%
Fig. 1 Solid waste Management Statistics
Source: http://www.mewr.gov.sg/grab-our-research/solid-waste-management

Singapore aims to attain a domestic recycling rate of 30% by 2030 (Factsheet on Recycling Chutes for New Private Residential Developments, 2015). However, after more than 15 years of National Recycling Programme, household recycling rates are stagnant at around 20% (Lim, 2016), suggesting that an average household recycles approximately one-fifth of the waste generated. Hence households should expend more effort to increase recycling rate. It is essential for Singapore that does not have any natural resources to recycle and minimise consumption of the finite imported resources. Pulau Semakau landfill's Phase I is completely packed, while Phase II is expected to last to 2035 (Phase II Semakau Landfill Ready To Meet Singapore’s Waste Disposal Needs To 2035 And Beyond, 2015). As it is impossible to create more landfills, Singaporeans need to recycle more.
1.1.2 Consequences Of Incineration
Singapore's constrained land area of 719.2 square kilometer and high population density of 7,797 people per square kilometer (Statistics Singapore - Latest Data, 2016) accentuates the dire need for an efficient waste collection and disposal system. Although incineration is the most cost-effective way to dispose of waste (MEWR | Incineration, 2017), it emits pollutants which pose a significant threat to public health and the environment. Higher incidence of cancer (Murdoch, 2008) and respiratory symptoms are one of the potential health ramification, while global warming and photochemical ozone or smog formation are few of the environmental effects (Sharma, R., Sharma, M., Sharma, R., et al., 2013). One historical example is the 1948 Donora smog. The high levels of harmful emissions have led to an increase in human mortality rate and a rise in respiratory illnesses (PennLive, 2017).


1.1.3 Benefits of Recycling
As Fig. 2 shows, higher recycling rates meant that less waste is disposed and more is being recycled. With less waste being burnt and buried, pollution and greenhouse gases emitted are reduced (Recycling Basics | US EPA, undated). By recycling, less energy is required to find, extract and process new resources (Chua, 2014). Furthermore, more landfill space is available in future with more domestic recycling. Since lesser resources are used and pollution decreases, living standards increase and sustainable living is ensured.

Fig. 2 Summary of the benefits of domestic recycling
1.2 Choice Of Recyclables
Paper is one of the top three waste generated in 2014 (Waste Statistics (2003-2015), 2017). With reference to Fig. 3, recycling rate of paper is barely 50% while plastics is about 10% . Considering that the amount of paper and plastics are the bulk domestic wastes, the main recyclables our group will be targeting are paper and plastics.


Fig. 3 Recycling Rate of Waste Statistics
Source: http://www.zerowastesg.com/2015/03/18/singapore-waste-statistics-2014/
1.3 Choice Of Target Audience
Approximately one-third of about 1.66 million tonnes of disposed domestic waste in 2016 is packaging waste (NEA To Introduce Mandatory Reporting Of Packaging Data & Waste Reduction Plans By 2021, 2017). Homemakers come in contact with general waste such as bottles, cans, clothing, disposables, food packaging, food scraps, and newspaper the most.  Ultimately, they decide the fate of countless amount of such products to be discarded as waste or recyclables.  Should we successfully change their decision to recycle these products, Singapore’s domestic recycling will increase by a substantial amount. Therefore, our group has chosen homemakers as our target audience.
1.4 Limitations Of Current Measures

1.4.1 National Recycling Programme
A regulation was implemented in September 2014 after respondents had conveyed that the recycling bins were difficult to locate or inconveniently placed (Household Recycling Study, 2013). Public waste collectors are now required to place a blue co-mingled recycling bin at every HDB block (Tan, 2016), making recycling accessible for residents.

The longer distance to the doorstep to the nearest blue bin compared to the refuse chutes caused the regulation to be ineffective. The convenience in disposing their waste through the conveniently placed chute induces residents continued to throw their waste instead of recycle (Boh, 2016).

1.4.2 Cash For Trash Programme
The Cash-For-Trash Programme acts as an incentive for the residents to bring their recyclable items to the nearest recycling station in exchange for cash, spurring recycling rates. The South West District, where the weekly cash for trash programme collected 2,350 tonnes of recyclables in 2013 (Boh, 2015), has proved a success.

However, according to (Chua, 2013), there were many who were unaware of such programmes. As such, the lack of publicity is a limitation of the programme. Additionally, the recycling stations are only concentrated in the west and east regions of Singapore, resulting in inaccessibility issues for those who live in other parts of the island.

1.5 Focus of Project
Our proposed investment will achieve our aim to improve the stagnant recycling rates in Singapore. We will be working with maid agencies, hosting a social media campaign to raise awareness on the importance of recycling, and creating an application which is convenient and provides incentives for recycling.

Additionally, this project aspires to inculcate the habit of recycling to ensure that the sustained improvement in recycling rate. Only then can we reap the benefits of sustained recycling.