Recycle Right
40% of what goes into recycling bins cannot be recycled. This is because some people throw in items which are unsuitable for recycling.
| Why is this a problem? | What is the government doing? | What can you do as an individual? | What can you do as a business? | What are others doing? |
Why is this a problem?
Contamination arises when wrong things are thrown into the blue recycling bin, such as food and liquids as well as items that cannot be recycled.
When this happens, this will contaminate the rest of the recyclables collected and waste the efforts of everyone.
Recyclables that are contaminated by food or liquids cannot be recycled which makes them no different from general waste. They will then have been disposed of, incinerated and landfilled.
That’s why putting the right stuff in the right bin is important.
What is the government doing?
The recycling rate for the domestic sector is currently 22%. We are making it easier for residents to recycle in order to increase the domestic recycling rate to 30% by 2030, which is one of the targets of our Sustainable Singapore Blueprint.
Since 2014, every HDB block has been provided with a blue recycling bin - up from one bin for every five blocks. There are also dual chutes for refuse and recyclables in all new HDB flats and non-landed private residential developments.
We will also use regulatory measures to complement the new recycling infrastructure. For example, we will introduce a new framework to make it easier for Singaporeans to recycle their e-waste.
The #RecycleRight movement was launched in 2019 to encourage Singaporeans to recycle right. For example, recycling bin labels have been redesigned to make it clearer what can or cannot be recycled.
What can you do an individual?
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Only put recyclable items into the blue bin. Don’t treat it like a trash bin. Follow the labels on the blue bin on what can be put inside.
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Make sure the recyclable items are not contaminated with food or liquids.
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No need to sort different types of recyclables for the blue bins because they will be sorted centrally.
What can you do as a business?
What are others doing?
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Zero Waste SG launched a “Let’s Recycle Together” campaign to encourage more HDB residents to recycle using the existing blue recycling bins in their estates, and to educate them on recycling correctly.
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On the second Sunday of each month, Tzu Chi conducts recycling activities at over 30 recycling points in various neighbourhoods island-wide. Besides sorting recyclables, volunteers also share with residents ways to make environmental protection part of their daily lives.