Singapore 2010 Waste Statistics
The latest 2010 waste statistics and recycling rate for Singapore can be found at the National Environment Agency website. The following infographic gives an overview ...
Waste is not Waste Provides Online Waste Exchange for Businesses and Organisations in Singapore and Malaysia
Waste generation in Asia has been increasing rapidly due to urbanisation and industrialisation, and poor waste management in several countries has caused negative impacts on ...
Where Can I Find Recycling Bins?
Do you know that there are more than 1,500 recycling bins all over Singapore? Do you know where they are located? We understand that you might ...
Welcome to Zero Waste Singapore
Zero Waste Singapore is an online publication dedicated to help Singapore eliminate the concept of waste and move towards the goal of zero waste. Our aim ...
What is Zero Waste?
Zero Waste is a concept that challenges the old way of thinking about waste as something that has no value and to be thrown away. ...
Reduce
Design and Make Sustainable Products
Designers and manufacturers can design and make sustainable products and packaging that are durable and non-toxic, use less materials and resources...
Buy and Use Only What You Need
In modern society, overconsumption and wastage of resources seem to be a norm. We buy more than what is necessary, use and waste more material,...
Eliminate the Excessive Use of Paper
In Singapore, paper is the most common type of waste and about 1.26 million tonnes of paper waste was generated in 2008. We need to eliminate...
Disposable items such as plastic bags, plastic cutlery and batteries are thrown away after a single use. This is a waste of resources and creates...
Choose Products with Less Packaging
Some products come with unnecessary plastic or paper packaging for aesthetic and advertising purposes, and these packaging usually end up as...
Conduct a Waste Audit
If your company or organisation wishes to reduce the waste generated from your premises, you can first conduct a waste audit. A waste audit...
Don’t Waste Food
Singaporeans waste a lot of food each year. In 2008, we threw away about 0.6 million tonnes of food waste and only 12% was recycled. We should...
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Instead of throwing away old and unwanted materials and items, why not use your creativity to turn these waste into useful items and stylish decorations or art. Start a DIY (do-it-yourself) project...
Give It Away
If you have old or unwanted items that are still in good condition, consider giving them to someone or donating them to charity. You can give it away through the following ways: 1. Give Away Online The...
If you have old or unwanted items that are still in good condition, consider selling them away for cash. You can sell them through the following ways: 1. Sell to Traders Cash Converters operates retail...
Share, Borrow or Rent Tools and Items
Some tools in the house such as the hammer, screwdriver, electric drill, handsaw, ladder and toolbox are not used frequently. If you have these tools, share them with your relatives and friends. If you...
Instead of throwing away spoilt items, equipment and electrical appliances immediately, why not try to repair them yourself or send them for repair. Some items just need a bit of fixing or connecting...
If you’re wondering about what to do with your used paper and junk mail, why not use them for origami – the traditional Japanese art of paperfolding. A simple piece of paper can be folded into...
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Singapore 2010 Waste Statistics
The latest 2010 waste statistics and recycling rate for Singapore can be found at the National Environment Agency website. The following infographic gives an overview of the waste figures: Waste Generated refers to the total amount of waste...
7 Types of Recycling at HDB Housing Estates in Singapore
Do you know that there are 7 common types of formal and informal recycling at HDB housing estates in Singapore? If you’re staying in a HDB flat, you would likely come across or participate in one or more of those types of recycling. Let’s...
Waste generation in Asia has been increasing rapidly due to urbanisation and industrialisation, and poor waste management in several countries has caused negative impacts on the environment and the health of the people. According to The Global...
‘Can Recycle?’ Shows Items that are Acceptable for Recycling
We have been receiving frequent enquiries from our readers on whether certain waste items can be recycled under the National Recycling Programme (NRP) or through the public recycling bins. To be honest, we don’t have all the answers. So we...
Do you know that there are more than 1,500 recycling bins all over Singapore? Do you know where they are located? We understand that you might wish to use the recycling bins near your house but can’t find them. To make it easier to find...
Start Composting at Home
Composting is the natural decomposition of organic material (from plants and animals) by microorganisms, into a dark brown crumbly organic substance called compost. Compost mixed with soil is beneficial for growing plants as the compost retains...
Start Recycling at Home
It’s easy to recycle at home. First, learn about the existing recycling programme at your area. Second, find out the type of items that are acceptable and unacceptable for recycling. Third, remember the collection date and place your...
Start Recycling at Work
If your company or organisation already has a recycling programme, that’s good and you can recycle at work. If not, it’s time to start one now. Just follow our 6 steps to minimise waste and start recycling at work. First, you would...
Start Recycling at School
Recycling programmes are common in our schools (preschools, primary, secondary and tertiary levels), and they are usually initiated by the National Environment Agency (NEA) or by the school administration. Recycling bins and recyclables collection...
Paper is the most common type of waste in Singapore and about 1.26 million tonnes of paper waste was generated in 2008. The recycling rate of paper is 48% in 2008, and most of this paper waste is sorted, baled and exported overseas for recycling...
Plastics Recycling
In Singapore, 684,400 tonnes of plastic waste was generated in 2008 and the recycling rate is 9%. Plastic waste, especially plastic bottles and containers, are usually sorted, baled and exported overseas for recycling. There are also plastic...
Metal scrap is the 3rd largest type of waste in Singapore. In 2008, 784,800 tonnes of ferrous metal scrap and 85,000 tonnes of non-ferrous metal scrap was generated. The recycling rate is 94% for ferrous metal and 85% for non-ferrous metal in...
In Singapore, 57,100 tonnes of glass waste was generated in 2008 and the recycling rate is 18%. Glass waste is usually sorted and exported overseas for recycling as there are no glass recycling plants in Singapore. Let’s take a closer...
Food Waste Recycling
In Singapore, 568,000 tonnes of food waste was generated in 2008 and the recycling rate is 12%. Food waste is usually processed as animal feed, and undergoes aerobic or anaerobic digestion to produce compost or energy. Let’s take...
Wood and Horticultural Waste Recycling
In Singapore, 269,600 tonnes of wood waste and 229,300 tonnes of horticultural waste was generated in 2008. The recycling rate is 71% for wood waste and 42% for horticultural waste. Wood and horticultural waste are usually processed into wood...
Electrical and Electronic Waste Recycling
Electrical and electronic items such as televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, handphones, computers, printers, and batteries are increasingly being disposed as waste after use. These waste are also known as e-waste and they are posing...
Tyres Recycling
In Singapore, 25,100 tonnes of scrap tyres was generated in 2008 and the recycling rate is 88%. Scrap tyres are usually rethreaded, exported overseas for reuse, or processed into crumbs for making surfaces and into chips for use as a solid...
In Singapore, 922,000 tonnes of construction debris was generated in 2008 and the recycling rate is 98%. Construction and demolition (C&D) waste is usually sorted for the recovery of materials such as wood, metal, paper and plastics, and...
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Die Die Must Share – The Idea of Collaborative Consumption
Eugene Tay, the Editor of Green Business Times and Founder of Green Future Solutions, is a person whom you would describe as a green maven – someone who reads and knows a lot about environmental trends and ideas, and who likes to share them with others. Having come across many green ideas over the past few years, there...
3R Packaging Awards recognise companies for their efforts to reduce packaging waste
The Singapore Packaging Agreement signatories received the 3R Packaging Awards this morning at the Third Meeting of the Regional 3R Forum in Asia, held at Sheraton Towers Singapore for their efforts to reduce packaging waste. The Singapore Packaging Agreement (SPA) is a voluntary programme by the industry, the National...
123Recycle Mobile App Helps People in Singapore Recycle Waste Packaging Correctly
Developed by Nestlé Singapore and the Nanyang Polytechnic School of Information Technology, 123Recycle is a free mobile application to help people in Singapore recycle waste packaging correctly. The app is supported by the National Environment Agency and the Singapore Environment Council, and can be used with both Nestlé...
Waste Generated From Marathons
Singaporeans are increasingly taking up running, and marathons are being held almost every month. The common type of waste generated from marathons include: plastic bottles, paper cups, energy bar or gel packaging, and carton boxes. What happens to the waste generated from marathons? Are those waste that are recyclable...
Photos from Recycling Week 2011
Recycling Week 2011 was launched today by the new Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, at the open field next to Tampines MRT Station. This annual event aims to raise awareness about the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle), and is organised by the National Environment Agency (NEA) in partnership...
What Happens to the Used Bulky Furniture and Items Collected by the Cleaners From the Housing Estates in Singapore
Do you know what happens to the used bulky furniture and items collected by the cleaners from your housing estates? Are they sent to the incineration plants and landfill or recycled? We are not sure too, so we sent an email to ask all the town councils in Singapore. Here’s their reply: Jurong Town Council referred...
What Can You Find Inside the Refuse Bin Centre of a Wet Market and Hawker Centre
Do you know what waste goes into the refuse bin centres of our wet markets and hawker centres? We took a quick look at a refuse bin centre located at the Marine Parade Market and Food Centre. Here’s what you can find – food waste, styrofoam boxes, plastic disposables and carton boxes. See pictures below. Share Read More →
Tzu Chi’s Recycling Efforts and Closing the Recycling Loop
The Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation has been promoting recycling in Singapore since 2006. During the Tzu Chi Recycling Day, which falls on every second Sunday of the month, Tzu Chi volunteers will set up recycling points at 14 locations across the island. The volunteers encourage residents to bring their...
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Nalgene Water Bottle
Looking for a refillable water bottle? Nalgene Everyday™ water bottles are made in the USA, and are extremely durable, resistant to staining and odors, withstand high temperature, and made from Eastman Tritan™ copolyester that is manufactured without Bisphenol A (BPA). Capacity: 1 litre Colour: Grey Opening: Wide Mouth Through...
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