Debated in Parliament on 9 Sep 2024.
Ms See Jinli Jean asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) what are the Ministry's plans to improve recycling outcomes of plastic packaging; and (b) whether the Ministry will require food and beverage merchants to (i) educate consumers on what and how to recycle disposables correctly to avoid contamination of clean recyclables in the recycling bin and (ii) commit to clear timelines for the replacement of disposable plastic packaging with sustainable and affordable alternatives.
Packaging waste, including plastics, is a priority waste stream under the Zero Waste Masterplan. My Ministry and the National Environment Agency (NEA) promote the recycling of packaging waste through regulatory measures and educational campaigns. One such example is the upcoming beverage container return scheme. In July 2024, NEA issued a licence to Beverage Container Return Scheme Ltd., a not-for-profit company formed by a consortium of beverage producers comprising Coca-Cola Singapore Beverages, Fraser and Neave (F&N) Foods and Pokka, to operate the beverage container return scheme from April 2026. Under the scheme, a 10-cent deposit will be refunded to consumers when they return their metal or plastic beverage containers for recycling.
NEA also carries out regular campaigns to promote good recycling habits. As part of the Recycle Right campaign rolled out in 2019, tips are shared with business owners and consumers on how to identify, segregate and clean recyclables so that they can be properly recycled. Resources can be downloaded from the Clean & Green Singapore website (www.cgs.gov.sg).
All types of non-reusable packaging, including those made from biodegradable materials, result in some form of environmental impact. Reducing the use of disposable packaging, regardless of material type and promoting the use of reusables are more sustainable approaches. To this end, NEA has been working with partners across both the retail and food and beverage industries to promote sustainable practices, such as bring-your-own-bag, food container and bottle, under the Say YES to Waste Less campaign.
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