Use of Styrofoam in Making of Aeration Holes in Open Car Park Lots

Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether styrofoam is used in the making of aeration holes in open car park lots and, if so, why; (b) whether more sustainable alternative materials have been considered; and (c) whether there are plans to phase out the use of styrofoam and, if so, by when.

HDB currently constructs its surface car parks using cast in-situ reinforced concrete slabs for durability and maintainability. Styrofoam moulds are utilised to achieve the planting voids in the design of the slabs, which allows grass to grow and helps reduce the heat generated by the concrete surface.

These moulds are of food grade quality and are produced by licensed factories. After usage, the moulds are removed from site for proper disposal by registered disposal companies as general waste in accordance with the Environmental Public Health Act (Cap 95).

HDB has also been exploring different construction methods to achieve greater sustainability. As part of these efforts, HDB has piloted an alternative surface car park design that does not utilise styrofoam moulds. The pilot has been successful and HDB will be adopting the new design as and when the existing surface car parks are progressively upgraded.