Zero Waste SG is Singapore’s Latest Environmental NGO

Zero Waste SG is Singapore’s Latest Environmental NGO

Zero Waste SG - Eugene Tay, Executive Director

Zero Waste SG is a new not-for-profit and non-governmental organisation dedicated to help Singapore eliminate the concept of waste, and accelerate the shift towards zero waste and the circular economy.

It started as a website in 2008 providing tips and resources on waste minimisation and recycling, and is officially registered as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) on 13 Jul 2015, thus joining the ranks of other established environmental NGOs in Singapore.

The Singapore government has set targets of achieving a 70% national recycling rate and a 30% domestic recycling rate by 2030. We believe that we can help Singapore to meet and exceed these targets, by working together with government agencies, businesses, community groups and individuals.

Zero Waste SG will work on 7 key programmes to promote education and engagement on the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) among individuals and households; increase waste minimisation and recycling among businesses and organisations; and reduce specific waste.

Let’s End Waste, Together

Singapore has achieved much in waste management and recycling over the past 10 years, although we still lag behind countries like Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Much more can be done here and also in our region where waste management is increasingly important with growing population and consumption.

There are no existing non-profit organisations in Singapore that focus mainly on waste. Now with the concepts of zero waste and the circular economy gaining traction around the world, we believe that it is time to end waste in Singapore and globally.

In our current linear economy of “take, make, use and throw”, waste is waste. This is no longer sustainable. We can no longer use more resources to generate more waste. What is the alternative?

Imagine a future of zero waste and circular economy, where waste is not waste. Less waste is generated through redesigning, reducing, reusing, sharing, repairing, remanufacturing, and recycling. Waste generated becomes biological nutrients to be returned safely back to the environment, or becomes technical nutrients to be returned back to the economy.

We still have a long way to achieve zero waste. That is why we have to start now. We have to think big but start small. Small but determined steps.

But we cannot do this alone. We need volunteers, sponsors and partners to work together with us. This is a call to action.

Let’s end waste, together.

5 Comments

  • byJoanna
    Posted July 21, 2015 5:56 pm 0Likes

    I have attended several community events and been to community establishments for the past 2 years. I note that there were no receptables for recycling in those events, or if available, were placed in obscure areas where the public cannot see and use.

    What good does it do for the government to pour massive funds to educate and promote recycling when other governmental agencies do not endorse and practise recycling? I have given feedback numerous times but sadly, such feedback were not heeded.

    • byZero Waste Singapore
      Posted July 22, 2015 4:06 pm 0Likes

      @Joanna, we hope to encourage more education and engagement on recycling with the help of the government and communities

  • byToby
    Posted April 20, 2018 11:56 am 0Likes

    Hi, I’m a student in 6th grade and I’m asking if you have any information about e-waste, if yes, please reply to the email and give us information about it for our project about e-waste.

    • byToby
      Posted April 20, 2018 12:00 pm 0Likes

      Our deadline for this project is around may 18th so please reply

  • byryan
    Posted June 16, 2019 4:49 pm 0Likes

    Hello, i am a junior college student, and i am writing to you regarding a project that we are currently doing, targetted at reducing waste in Singapore, by implementing effective recycling strategies. We are appealing for your expertise on this matter, and more information regarding this subject. Firstly, are there any modern recycling strategies that have been implemented in Singapore, and were they successful? Secondly, as a non-profit driven organisation, why do u feel so inclined to contribute so actively in the recycling scene in Singapore?

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