Sort It Out
Sort It Out (SIO) is the second and latest iteration of Zero Waste SG's Let's Recycle Together campaign. The rebrand reflects a sharpened focus on waste segregation at source as a foundational step towards effective recycling.
Launched in June 2024, SIO advocates for separating recyclables such as plastics, paper, metals, and glass at the point of waste generation. Proper segregation reduces contamination, improves recycling quality, and ensures that more materials can be reprocessed into new products instead of ending up in landfills or incineration plants.
Why Source Segregation?
A Glimpse into Singapore's Recycling System
Singapore's household recycling system has relied on co-mingled single-stream collection, where mixed recyclables are collected together and sorted later at the Material Recovery Facility (MRF), since the launch of the National Recycling Programme (NRP) in 2001. While convenient, this system often results in recyclables being mixed with non-recyclable or soiled waste, causing contamination. Contaminated recyclables are difficult to process and frequently end up being diverted to general waste, reducing recycling effectiveness and remain as a major barrier to efficient recycling.
Singapore's Domestic Recycling Rate Trends (2001 - 2024):
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Early Implementation (2001 - 2011): Following the NRP's launch, household participation grew from 15% in 2001 to 63% by 2010. However, actual domestic recycling rates remained modest, reaching approximately 19% by 2012.
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Period of Stagnation (2012 - 2018): For nearly a decade, the domestic recycling rate hovered consistently between 19% and 22%.
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Recent Decline (2019 - 2024): The rate began to drop significantly toward the end of the decade.
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2020–2021: Remained steady at 13%.
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2022–2023: Dropped to 12%, which at the time was the lowest in over a decade.
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2024: Hit a new all-time low of 11%.
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Currently, Singapore’s domestic recycling rate is hovering near record lows, far below the national target of 30% by 2030 set under the Singapore Green Plan 2030. Of the recyclables collected, only about 60% are actually recycled. The rest are contaminated, incinerated, and sent to our rapidly filling Semakau landfill, which is projected to reach capacity by 2035.
These trends underscore the urgent need to improve recycling practices and reduce waste.
Multi-Stream Recycling for Better Outcomes
To address this challenge, we turn to source segregation as a key solution to preserving material quality and improving recycling outcomes.
By separating recyclables such as paper, plastic, metal, and glass at the point of disposal, contamination can be significantly reduced, improving recycling quality and efficiency.
Let's look at the benefits of multi-stream recycling
Segregating waste at the source delivering clear benefits, including:
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Reduces contamination by sorting and storing clean recyclables in different receptacles
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Smaller carbon and energy footprint when the step of backend sorting and cleaning is saved
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Produces higher quality recyclables which recyclers can process and sell more easily, driving the circular economy
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Promotes a cleaner environment by nudging behaviours towards waste consciousness and more meaningful treatment of the trash we generate
What Is the Optimal System: Multi-Stream Recycling in a Closed-Loop System
Closed-loop recycling is a sustainable system where used products are collected, recycled, and remade into the same product or high-quality material, creating a continuous cycle that minimizes waste and reliance on virgin resources.
Closed-Loop Partners Network launched in 2024 - a first-of-its-kind platform in Singapore aimed at fostering industry partnerships to advance a circular economy. This aligns with Singapore's vision towards a Zero Waste Nation. The network aims to bridge the supply and demand gap for recycled feedstock by fostering collaboration among recycling service providers and enabling recycling through innovative waste management solutions and waste tracking, which is essential in rebuilding confidence in recycling via this new multistream recycling infrastructure.
SIO Pilot Recycling Hubs
As part of SIO, in 2025 Zero Waste SG launched two pilot Recycling Hubs concurrently in Queenstown and Pioneer to introduce smart segregated recycling bins and promote improved recycling habits. On top of setting up the infrastructure to make source segregation accessible and practical for residents, the campaign also runs educational and engagement outreach events to ensure that residents of that neighbourhood are equipped with knowledge on how to recycle and how to use the recycling bins correctly. Door to door surveys are conducted as part of the educational and engagement outreach, as well as gather essential ground data from the residents.
SIO also raises awareness among households, reinforcing responsible consumption and disposal habits to reduce waste, promoting waste mindfulness and consciousness.
Evidence and Real-World Impact
What SIO Does
SIO takes a multi‑pronged approach to transform recycling behaviour across Singapore:
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Education & Outreach: Talks, publications, and community engagement activities to explain what to segregate and why it matters.
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Research & Resources: Reports such as The Case for Sort It Out present evidence‑based recommendations and best practices for source segregation in the local context.
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Pilot Projects & Hubs: Support for pilot recycling hubs equipped with multi‑stream bins that make source segregation accessible and practical for residents.
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Partnerships: Collaborations with corporates and community partners help scale the campaign’s reach and deepen impact.
A Step Towards a Circular Future
Singapore’s recycling landscape is evolving against a backdrop of broader national sustainability goals — including efforts to increase overall recycling rates and extend the life of Semakau landfill. Segregation at source is not just a technical improvement; it’s a behavioural catalyst that empowers individuals and communities to participate fully in a circular economy. Through SIO, Zero Waste SG is turning everyday recycling choices into lasting environmental outcomes for Singapore. National Environment Agency