Debated in Parliament on 23 Sep 2025.
Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether the Ministry can provide an update on the measures taken to promote recycling and increase the domestic recycling rate within businesses and residential areas in Singapore; and (b) whether NEA can consider co-locating various recycling bins for textile, e-waste, paper and recyclable plastic products, in a one-stop recyclables collection centre for convenience of users.
My reply will also address related Parliamentary Questions on efforts to promote recycling filed by Ms Hany Soh and Mr Foo Cexiang for the Sitting on or after 24 September 2025 and 25 September 2025 respectively. [Please refer to "Measures to Boost and Improve Paper and Domestic Recycling Rate", Official Report, 24 September 2025, Vol 96, Issue 4, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.] [Please refer to "Strategies to Reduce Contamination of Blue Recycling Bins", Official Report, 25 September 2025, Vol 96, Issue 5, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.]
The Government has worked with businesses and the community to introduce measures and initiatives to promote recycling. Examples include the launch of extended producer responsibility schemes for priority waste streams, progressive implementation of food waste segregation for large commercial and industrial food waste generators, and continued enhancements to our National Recycling Programme, such as by increasing the collection frequency for recyclables. The beverage container return scheme for plastic and metal beverage containers will also be launched next April.
Although we have achieved some progress in reducing waste generation, domestic recycling remains a challenge, and we are actively exploring ways to reduce contamination and improve the recycling rate. The National Environment Agency will press on with public education and outreach efforts, such as the Recycle Right campaign, to improve awareness of proper sorting practices. We are encouraged that community partners, such as Public Waste Collectors, non-profit organisations and Town Councils have come forward to trial source-segregated recycling via smart recycling bins, as well as co-locate dedicated recycling bins in malls and Housing and Development Board void decks. We will continue to review these measures.
We are also looking at strengthening support for paper recycling and will share more details when ready.
PAPERCUTS