As one of the most affluent and well-developed countries in the world, it is almost embarrassing how easily Singapore has disregarded recycling and its waste generation. Despite aiming to become a zero waste country, most attempts to encourage recycling have been half-hearted. Campaigns like #RecycleRight have not been given enough attention, nor have they been adopted by the masses. Perhaps it is not that just that no one knows how to recycle. It is most likely that no one cares.
Just take a look at our European neighbours — Sweden has a system so revolutionary that it has run out of waste — only 1% of its trash is sent to landfills, and Germany has reached a 60% recycling rate for municipal waste. In contrast, the blue recycling bins in Singapore are treated as regular trash bins, where food and furniture are often disposed of, irregardless. With only a 17% domestic recycling rate in 2019, households in Singapore certainly have a long way to go.
When Professor Tommy Koh mentioned that Singapore is a first world country with third world people, he wasn’t wrong. The government may have a part to play in getting the gears moving, but unless people start caring for things outside their own bubble, things won’t change. No matter how much the government pushes recycling, if people don’t see the point in it, nothing will happen. It sounds cheesy, but really, it has to start from you. Here’s what you can do to help.
Reduce
Carry a reusable container wherever you go
It may seem like a hassle, but those single-use, styrofoam containers that they give you at hawker centres are terrible for the environment — they take an estimated 500 years to decompose. For something even as small as a single bun, a separate plastic bag is given. Reducing wastage of single-use plastic is one of the first steps you can take to reducing your waste generation.
Bring your own bag
NTUC may be the only supermarket charging for bags, but that is no reason for recklessly taking plastic bags elsewhere. If you’ve bought a small item that can easily fit into your handbag or pouch, skip on the plastic. Buy a foldable shopping bag and keep it in your bag. They do wonders!
Don’t take disposable cutlery if you can help it
Keep a set of washable cutlery in the office, and absolutely don’t take it if you are eating at home. Don't be lazy — washing up a set of cutlery does way less harm than just using it once and tossing it after.
Skip the straws
Straws are unnecessary — it helps to keep a reusable straw in your bag especially for when those bubble tea cravings call. If you can, buy them from sustainable suppliers, and avoid coloured ones which may contain harmful chemicals in their coatings.
Carry your water bottle out with you
Having a water bottle on hand to quench your thirst will reduce the likelihood of you buying bottled water or drinks. Get a colourful one to make a statement!
Reuse
Repurpose your packaging
Ordered a parcel? Finished a loaf of bread? Don’t just throw away the plastic just yet. Get more bang for your buck, and use them to line the bins to get more life out of them.
Recycle
Educate yourself
If you’re one of those unsure of what is recyclable, read up! For the record, receipts can be recycled, so don't just toss them!
Set up a recycling corner in your home
Setting up a recycling corner in your house makes recycling much more accessible and convenient. It’s much less likely to be an afterthought!
Rinse out your empty containers
Make sure that your recyclables are clean before putting them to recycle. Food contamination not only renders your items unrecyclable, and may render other items unrecyclable, too!
Located your nearest recycling point
Once you’ve filled up your bags, bring your recyclables down to deposit into the blue recycling bin!
The topic is still be debated — what's the best way to get people to care? Without proper education of the masses, there’s no way that anything is going to be done soon, but we need to start somewhere. Cultivate the habit in your kids, and teach your parents how to do it properly, too. If not now, then when? We can do better, Singapore.
