Debated in Parliament on 1 Mar 2023.
Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment having regard to a recent anti-waste social experiment by NEA that seemed to generate more waste whilst raising awareness (a) whether the use of existing waste materials will be prioritised over creating new ones for future campaigns; (b) whether there are plans to seek input and involvement from local environmental organisations and advocates in planning future campaigns; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider sharing lessons from public reactions in shaping future sustainability awareness and as part of its public education efforts.
With "The Waste Cafe", the National Environment Agency (NEA) had sought to illustrate the cumulative environmental impact of a seemingly simple act of consuming coffee using a disposable cup. The social experiment has generally been well-received. The collected used cups were repurposed into impactful educational exhibits that are roving across Singapore to raise public awareness about the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling.
We have noted the views of those who felt that the experiment could have been done differently and have suggested areas for improvement. We welcome feedback from all parties and will take them into consideration to improve our future campaigns.
I thank the Senior Minister of State for her reply. Will the Ministry consider using technology and digital displays instead of physical waste to showcase excessive consumption and not use methods such as providing free items to generate additional waste for future campaigns?
I thank the Member for his views as well as suggestions. As I noted, the collected used cups were actually repurposed and used as part of the roving exhibition. In fact, some of it is used as a facade of now what we call The Waste Less Cafe, where the members of the public can get free coffee if they bring their reusable mug. Some are also repurposed as craft for children.
But as I have also noted, we hear and note the differing views of some and the suggestions that have been given, and we certainly will take their feedback including the Member's views and suggestions into consideration in our future campaigns.
PAPERCUTS