Overview

In Singapore’s journey towards a Zero Waste Nation, we are focusing on closing three resource loops: food, electrical and electronic equipment, and packaging, including plastics.

Interventions through legislative and economic measures will target the entire value chain, supported by infrastructure, research and development, and industry development.

Three priority waste streams

As Singapore prepares for an increasingly carbon- and resource-constrained future, with limited space for waste disposal, MSE and the NEA are pushing towards a wider adoption of circular economy approaches, where resources are used over and over again, and waste is designed out of the system.

We have had some successes, like the near 100% recycling rate for construction and demolition waste and metals. However, some types of waste are generated in large quantities, but have a low recycling rate, such as food and packaging. Though electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) makes up less than 1% of total waste generated in Singapore, it could have a detrimental effect on the environment if not properly managed.

This is why we have made food, e-waste, and packaging, including plastics, our three priority waste streams for closing the resource loop and working towards our vision of a Zero Waste Nation.

The Government will support the proper management of these three priority waste streams through a regulatory framework to promote resource sustainability. The Resource Sustainability Act is a landmark legislation introduced in 2019 to give effect to the regulatory framework. Through legislation, the Government will mandate the segregation of and treatment of food waste by large food waste generators and impose the Extended Producer Responsibility framework on producers and retailers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). The Government will also mandate the reporting of packaging data and submission of plans to reduce, reuse or recycle packaging by producers of packaged products and supermarkets.

These regulatory measures are expected to drive demand and create a viable industry for resource recovery in Singapore. They have the potential to create net economic benefit for Singapore and provide an earlymover advantage in the global push towards a circular economy. We hope to promote innovative circular business models and position our companies to seize opportunities in the region for specialised waste treatment, recycling or remanufacturing.

Regulatory measures are complemented by outreach and engagement efforts to businesses and consumers, to develop sustainable production, consumption, and waste and resource management habits across the entire value chain.

More on these measures and efforts will be shared in this chapter.