By George George Idowu
They have been a continuous agitation for recycling in order to mitigate the impact of climate change. However, in Singapore, recycling has seen a noticeable decline over the past decade, with the overall recycling rate falling from 62 per cent in 2013 to 52 per cent in 2023.
This trend is, however, worrying, especially considering the nation’s ambitious 70 per cent recycling target set in the 2030 Zero Waste Master plan.
Despite a common perception that poor consumer recycling habits are to blame, experts argue that systemic issues are the more significant barriers. Miss. Robin Rheaume, a zero-waste advocate and founder of Recyclopedia.sg, insists that consumer education and behaviour are not the primary issues. She acknowledges that while improper recycling practices do exist, they do not fully account for the declining rates.
Recently, the National Environment Agency (NEA) in Singapore attributed the drop in recycling rates to broader structural factors such as freight costs and fluctuating commodity prices.
According to NEA, high freight rates reduce the incentive for recyclers to collect materials due to higher shipping costs and lower profit margins. Additionally, when commodity prices for recyclables are low, recyclers might hold onto materials longer, waiting for better prices, provided they have the storage capacity.
Executive Director of Zero Waste SG, Miss Tan Huileng, also attributed industrial waste as one that constitutes about two-thirds of Singapore’s total waste, is usually cleaner and more segregated compared to household waste. It was pointed out that the industrial sector’s better recycling practices highlight that the lower overall recycling rates are influenced by other factors beyond contamination.
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Singapore’s recycling infrastructure is another critical issue. The country lacks sufficient domestic recycling facilities, which means a significant portion of recyclables must be exported to countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. This dependence on international markets exposes Singapore to global economic fluctuations.
Another challenge that has been attributed to the decline will be land scarcity. What it means is that building large recycling facilities domestically is a big challenge. Moreover, the small domestic market may not generate enough recyclable feedstock to support these facilities economically. The resource-intensive nature of recycling processes, in terms of land, water, and energy, further complicates the development of such facilities.
However, there are promising developments. For instance, Abraclean, Singapore’s first recycling plant for glass waste, was inaugurated in 2023 and has already achieved significant milestones. Similarly, start-up Magorium has been converting plastic waste into road construction material, with several successful projects already completed.
On the part of the global scene, the Basel Convention and China’s “National Sword” policy have made it more difficult to export contaminated and mixed recyclables. Additionally, recent disruptions in global shipping routes due to geopolitical issues have increased operational costs, further reducing the demand for Singapore’s recyclables.
Despite all these challenges, Singapore is taking steps to become more self-sufficient in waste processing. Projects like the Tuas Nexus, an integrated waste and water treatment facility, are underway and expected to boost the nation’s recycling capabilities when they come online starting in 2025. However, these improvements will take time to impact recycling rates significantly.
Reducing waste generation is also crucial. Encouragingly, NEA statistics showed a slight reduction in daily waste per person in 2023. Under the Zero Waste Master plan, Singapore aims to reduce landfill waste by 30 per cent by 2030 to extend the lifespan of the Semakau landfill.
Rheaume emphasizes the importance of reducing consumption. She advocates minimizing the use of single-use materials, whether plastic or glass, to mitigate the environmental impact of consumer habits.
Thus, the decline in Singapore’s recycling rates is a multifaceted issue, influenced more by structural and systemic challenges than by consumer behaviour alone. Improving domestic recycling infrastructure, reducing dependency on international markets, and fostering a culture of reduced consumption are essential steps toward reversing this trend and achieving the nation’s recycling goals.
