Our Manifesto

What a Waste

Waste represents inefficiency and the poor use of resources. Today’s products and packaging are made to become tomorrow’s waste, and the waste end up being burned or buried.

So much effort is spent on designing and making products, and precious energy and water resources are used up. Yet, the products become obsolete, unwanted and disposed by us as waste after use – wasting resources and creating pollution problems.

 

Zero Waste

In a finite world with increasing environmental problems, the generation of waste cannot continue as before. The end of waste will come through the concept of 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. Zero Waste means eliminating and preventing waste, before using the waste generated as a resource to be used again or returned back to nature safely.

 

Our Vision

Our vision is a Zero Waste Singapore by 2040, with a 90% reduction in the waste disposed at our incineration plants and landfill, and a recycling rate of 80%.

To achieve this vision, the following steps are required:

1. Set a National Goal

A national goal of Zero Waste Singapore by 2040 sets the direction for the government, businesses and communities to plan ahead and implement strategies. The timeframe of 2040 also allows sufficient time to plan and change regulations and systems, and is achievable within a generation. The goal is a call to action and inspires everyone to work towards it.

The government can adopt the goal as an extension of the Singapore Green Plan’s 2012 target of 60% recycling rate. To achieve this goal of 90% reduction in waste disposed and 80% recycling rate, the total waste generation has to peak in 2015 and drop by 5% each year.

2. Design Out Waste

There is a need to encourage and promote green design that eliminates and prevents waste right from the design stage. Designers and manufacturers can design and make sustainable products and packaging that are durable and non-toxic, use less materials and resources during its entire life cycle, and can be reused, repaired or recycled.

To help companies embrace green design, there could be more government assistance and funding, matching services for industrial collaboration, and design workshops. Tertiary institutions with courses on product design should also include the concept of green design in their syllabus, and provide opportunities for students to work with companies.

3. Change the Rules

Regulations and systems need to be changed to discourage waste and incentivise waste minimisation and recycling. These regulations could include:

• Extended Producer Responsibility – Producers have to take responsibility of their products from a life-cycle perspective.
• Pay As You Throw – The waste generator pays for the amount of waste disposed.
• Minimum Content Standards – There must be minimum recycled content for certain packaging and products.
• Packaging Fee – An additional fee is charged for disposable packaging.
• Green Procurement – Develop green procurement guidelines for businesses and the public sector to choose and buy green products and services.

4. Educate and Support

More education and publicity on zero waste, waste minimisation and recycling could be given to individuals, communities, schools, businesses and organisations. They should be aware of the various programmes that are available for them to reduce waste and practise recycling at home, school or work.

The government can also provide additional help to companies such as:

• Develop services, facilities and infrastructure to improve the recycling of certain waste streams
• Support companies that are reducing their waste and give them recognition
• Provide advice for companies to conduct waste audits
• Provide waste exchange services for companies

Our Mission

Our mission is to:

• Educate individuals, communities, organisations and businesses on Zero Waste and the 3 Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle)
• Help you to take action now by practising the 3 Rs in your daily life
• Facilitate discussion on the vision of Zero Waste Singapore and the steps required
• Spread the Zero Waste message and get it in your head