NEA announced on 20 Sept 2022 that a national deposit scheme is planned for rollout in 2024.The proposed scheme aims to increase the recycling rate of beverage containers in Singapore to 80 per cent.Key points:<ul><li>the scheme applies to all pre-packaged drinks in plastic bottles and metal cans between 150ml and 3 litres</li><li>drinks will be labelled with a deposit mark</li><li>consumers will have to pay an additional 10-20 cents “deposit” per container</li><li>they will get that deposit back when they return the container to a beverage container return points</li><li>the redemption will likely be cash or a digital transfer (details not yet public)</li><li>the return point consists of reverse vending machines and some manned counters</li><li>Return points will be set up at all supermarkets that are larger than 200 sqm</li><li>Other possible return locations include convenience stores and community centres</li></ul><a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/canned-and-bottled-drinks-to-come-with-a-10-20-cent-deposit-by-mid-2024-redeemable-when-recycled">Read the ST article here</a>.

National Deposit Scheme Announceed in Singapore

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National Deposit Scheme Announced

FairPrice Group is partnering with A*STAR to launch a pilot program for smart waste sorting bins called BINgo. The goal of BINgo is to encourage people to recycle more and to do it correctly.BINgo is a waste sorting system that uses AI and sensors to help people recycle metal cans, glass, paper and plastic packaging.&nbsp;The machine can identify different types of waste and tell whether they can be recycled. It can also tell if the waste has any contamination that would make it difficult to recycle. As people use the machine, it gives them information about recycling.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.a-star.edu.sg/News/a-star-news/news/press-releases/fairprice-group-and-astar-launch-BINgo">Read More here.</a>

A-Star Singapore announces new smart recycling bins

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A-Star Announces BINgo Smart bins

Don't be fooled by the term "recyclable"! The reality of recycling extends far beyond the composition of an item...For a material to be recycled, it must be economically feasible to do so. This means that everyone in the supply chain needs to make a profit, making recycling efforts worthwhile to them.Many materials are "recyclable in theory," which means that they can be recycled under the right conditions. However, these conditions often don't exist in practice or in the local context.This is similar to the claim you often see in Singapore that a material is “compostable” and yet there are no local composting facilities. So, in practice, compostable materials will be incinerated.<h3>So, what are the key considerations?</h3>Several factors determine the feasibility of recycling a material:<ul><li>Infrastructure: The existence of a local system to collect, sort, and sell the waste material. The recyclability of materials varies depending on where you live in the world.</li><li>Volume: The amount of material must be sufficient to justify the effort and cost of transportation and processing.</li><li>Quality: The sorted and baled plastic must meet certain purity standards. Recycling companies prefer bales of plastic that consist of 100% of a specific type of plastic (e.g., HDPE, PET, PP). However, some tolerance for impurities is usually allowed. If a plastic is difficult to sort, it becomes challenging to meet the purity requirements of recycling companies.</li><li>Cost of processing: The infrastructure costs associated with transportation, sorting, and baling must be low enough to be covered by the profit from selling the recycled material. This includes fixed costs like rental of premises and machinery expenses.*</li><li>Cost of delivery: The buyer of the waste material must consider the freight charges involved in transporting the waste plastic to their facilities. Since most recycling of Singapore's waste happens overseas, delivery costs become a significant consideration.</li></ul><h3>The challenge in Singapore</h3>The plastic sorting process at Material Recovery Facilities is manual, and state-of-the-art sorting technology is not employed. As a result, achieving high purity levels for most types of plastics is challenging.Some plastics are relatively easy to sort, such as PET water bottles and white HDPE milk bottles. These can be quickly identified and manually sorted with high levels of purity.However, other plastics pose more significant challenges. Bales of thin plastic films, food containers, or colored bottles tend to have lower levels of purity.It's important to note that this situation is different in an industrial setting, where large volumes of 100% pure plastic waste are more easily generated and valuable to recyclers.<h3>Why not invest in better sorting technology?</h3>While it is true that investing in better sorting technology would likely improve the purity of baled waste plastic, the cost-benefit analysis may not justify such an investment. It's important to remember that waste plastic holds very low value so the gains from improved sorting have to be significant.Take this purely hypothetic scenario. If it were to cost, say, $20 million to acquire the latest and greatest machines for automatic waste sorting, but the resulting increase in recycled plastic over the next 10 years was only estimated to be worth $10 million, the financial viability of the investment would be questionable.&nbsp;Additionally, in this scenario, the carbon gains from recycling more plastic instead of incineration may not offset the substantial carbon footprint generated by the new machinery.The decision to invest in better technology for sorting consumer waste is not a straightforward one and demands thorough analysis.&nbsp;<h3>Alternative recycling labels: The UK Example</h3>You may have come across products from the UK that feature these more "honest" labels.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn.recyclopedia.sg/strapi-assets/london_recycling_a96f3bd07c.jpg" alt="UK Recycling Labels"></figure>Instead of using vague terms like "recyclable," they indicate the likelihood of a material being recycled and encourage you to check with your local municipality.The example above refers to three materials—a cardboard sleeve, a metal tray, and a plastic film. Technically, all of them could be called "recyclable." In fact, a producer could claim that they are "100% recyclable!!"&nbsp;However, these labels make it clear that, in practice, only one of the three is widely recycled, one might be recycled depending on your local recycling system, and the third one is destined for the trash.Another variation also lets you know that something should be rinsed…<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn.recyclopedia.sg/strapi-assets/uk_symbols_2_c939f94e7d.png" alt="UK Recycling Labels Alternative"></figure>Isn't that awesome? Let's hope we see more of this kind of information available to consumers.___* Note: In Singapore, the cost of sorting recyclables in blue bins is partially subsidized by the Public Waste Collectors. As part of their contract with NEA to collect waste, they are obligated to provide collection and sorting services for recyclables. While these services may incur losses, they are considered an acceptable cost within the overall profitability of the NEA contract. However, if the collection and sorting of public recyclables were a standalone business, it would likely be economically unfeasible. This is evident from the practices of independent operators like the Karung Guni, who selectively deal with high-value waste materials such as paper, cardboard, and metals, while avoiding loss makers like glass and plastic.

Technically Recyclable does not mean Actually Recycled

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Recyclable does not mean Recycled

Summary:In Singapore, when it comes to single-use materials, plastic is a much better choice than glass.<ul><li>Glass is far more energy and carbon intensive than its plastic substitutes.<ul><li>It requires significant energy to make (the melting point of glass is around 1500C)</li><li>It is heavy so takes more energy to transport</li><li>When recycling glass, it has to be reheated to those same high temperatures&nbsp;</li><li>It cannot be incinerated in Waste-to-Energy ("WTE") plants (100% of the mass of glass ends up as bottom ash)</li></ul></li><li>Plastic can definitely can pose a menace to marine life and food chains when it enters the ocean.&nbsp;<ul><li>However, when waste is properly managed, this concern is mitigated.&nbsp;</li><li>Singapore has an excellent waste management system, ensuring there is virtually no leakage of plastic into waterways.</li></ul></li><li>Plastic is better than glass in a number of ways:<ul><li>It requires far less energy to produce, say, one 500ml plastic bottle than its glass counterpart</li><li>Its lightweight nature reduces the energy needed for transportation</li><li>It releases a lot of energy when incinerated delivering more power to the electricity grid</li><li>It produces virtually no bottom ash and has negligible impact on Semakau. Materials like metals, glass, sand, rock, and other minerals form the vast majority of bottom ash at WTE plants and are the culprits in the demise of Semakau. It's not plastic.</li></ul></li></ul>In short, single-use glass is a much worse choice for climate change than single-use plastic.&nbsp; &nbsp;<div class="raw-html-embed"><hr></div>Full ArticlePlastic is often touted as the ultimate environmental villain, but in Singapore, the recommendation is quite the opposite. When it comes to choosing between glass and plastic for single-use materials, the sustainable choice is to opt for plastic.&nbsp;OMG yes.&nbsp;At first, it might sound counterintuitive. You've been told the opposite your entire life. Glass is infinitely recyclable! There are straws in the noses of turtles!But the reality is far more complex.&nbsp;Bear in mind that this analysis is specific to Singapore which has the following attributes:<ol><li>little domestic packaged food production: most packaged foods and drinks get shipped in from long distances</li><li>virtually no domestic glass or plastic recycling: these materials must be shipped long distances to get recycled</li><li>an excellent waste management infrastructure with almost no leakage of waste materials into the ocean</li><li>all waste is incinerated in WTE plants: no consumer waste is sent straight to landfill and do not sit around for 500 years waiting to degrade</li></ol>With this context, lets look at the two materials:About GlassGlass production requires substantial energy input, and its heavy weight results in significant transportation costs merely to move it from one place to another. Transport alone releases a lot of carbon.Recycling glass is no easy task either. The process demands a great deal of energy as it must be reheated to an astounding 1500°C to create new bottles and jars from recycled glass. Moreover, unlike plastic, glass cannot be incinerated in local WTE plants, where temperatures range from 850°C to 1000°C - far below the melting point.&nbsp;This means that any glass put into an incinerator remains intact, leading it straight to Semakau.The exorbitant expense of transporting glass becomes an additional deterrent to recycling efforts in Singapore. Companies involved in recycling glass have to bear heavy transport costs, and as a consequence, glass waste in the blue bins is also subject to these charges. This makes it financially unviable to recycle glass unless someone is willing to foot the transportation bill.About PlasticPlastic can be a menace, particularly when it ends up in waterways and oceans, causing harm to marine life and the ecosystem. However, Singapore has an excellent waste management system, resulting in minimal leakage into surrounding bodies of water. Thus, the risk of plastics becoming hazardous to sea creatures is considerably reduced in Singapore.Then there's incineration: plastic has a “high calorific burn” meaning it releases a lot of energy when incinerated. This increses electricity generation at WTE plants which in turn means that we are (slightly) less reliant on other fossil fuels (mostly natural gas) for energy generation. Moreover, the toxins released during plastic incineration are effectively removed through chemical scrubbers in WTE plants, ensuring that the air emitted meets health and safety standards.About Bottom Ash &amp; SemakauThis story is not complete without addressing the misconception surrounding plastic's contribution to bottom ash at WTE plants. Contrary to popular belief, plastic incineration results in virtually no bottom ash.&nbsp;So what is filling up Semakau?The bottom ash that heads to Semakau is composed of materials that cannot be incinerated at temperatures achieved in WTE plants. 850C is more than enough to destroy plastic but many material will remain intact: this includes metals, glass, sand, rock, and other minerals.&nbsp;Plastic, much like paper and other chemically organic materials, makes a negligible contribution to the bottom ash at WTE plants.&nbsp;Let's dispel the notion that plastic is a major contributor to Semakau and instead acknowledge that it is the other materials that are the main problem.SummaryWhile glass might be the sustainable choice for long-term use, it falls short when considered for single-use materials. In such cases, choosing plastic over glass is the responsible decision in Singapore.&nbsp;Nevertheless, remember that the best choice depends on the local conditions and waste management infrastructure of a particular region.&nbsp;Let's make informed decisions, prioritizing sustainability based on our specific circumstances. Think local to act global.Oh and: none of this is an endorsement that we should be consuming tons of plastic. The best choice is to not consume any single-use items. Duh.&nbsp;

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Glass versus Plastic: Debunking the Myth

What: Empty clean and dry 1.5L PET Bottles, preferably with no labels When: 25 March to 30 April 2024​Where:&nbsp;<ul><li>102 Henderson Road, City Sprouts HQ (Main Building, Ground Floor)​</li><li>International Plaza (Carpark Lift Lobby area, Level 1) ​</li><li>Downtown Gallery (Level 1 Concierge)​ &nbsp;</li></ul>GIVE YOUR PLASTIC BOTTLES A SECOND LIFE ♻️​ ​Embark on a journey with i Light Singapore by depositing your plastic bottles at their designated collection points.&nbsp;Each clear PET plastic bottle will be upcycled into an artwork at the upcoming i Light Singapore 2024! 🌎​More Info: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C47Ew49SVIW">Instagram</a>&nbsp;

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Wanted: 1.5L PET bottles for artwork

PET also known as plastic #1 is recyclable. Meaning, technically, it can be recycled.In fact, in many places, <a href="https://www.icis.com/explore/resources/news/2021/11/17/10706371/asian-r-pet-demand-outpaces-supply-on-feedstock-shortage/">there is a shortage</a> of PET plastic waste. There is just not enough waste PET feedstock to meet demand by recycling companies.And yet, your PET cup will not get recycled.You can clean it. You can dry it. You can lovingly place it in a recycling bin.It still won't get recycled.&nbsp;Why?&nbsp;Take a look at the photo above. The cup on the left is made of PLA (Polylactic acid) and the one on the right is PET (Polyethylene terephthalate).&nbsp;Wait maybe it is the other way around. Is it PLA on the right? Who can tell?Oh here's another cup: this one is PP (Polypropylene)<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cdn.recyclopedia.sg/strapi-assets/pp_cup_b272eb9338.jpg" alt="PP Cup"></figure><h3>Eeny, meeny, miny, moe…</h3>PET is recyclable. PP is recyclable. PLA is not recyclable.&nbsp;Mixed plastic waste is not recyclable.So you see the problem: you can literally see it.&nbsp;How can a worker distinguish one plastic from another as it whizzes by on a conveyer belt at the sorting center (aka <a href="/resources/mrf">MRF</a>)?Sorting plastic cups to high levels of purity by plastic type is an impossible task. <span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgba(0,0,0,0.9);font-family:-apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Fira Sans&quot;, Ubuntu, Oxygen, &quot;Oxygen Sans&quot;, Cantarell, &quot;Droid Sans&quot;, &quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">So the cups are not picked up for bailing.&nbsp;This is unlike disposable water bottles which are easy to identify.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://recyclopedia.ap-south-1.linodeobjects.com/strapi-assets/Clear_plastic_bottle_2dc92dc39c.png" alt="Clear-plastic-bottle.png"></figure>Such bottles are always made of PET. And because of this certainty, they have a relatively high recycling rate. Workers can see at a glance what this bottle is made of. There is no worry of mixing them up with other types of plastic.Therein lies one of the major hurdles to actually recycling recyclable plastics: it is technically challenging to sort them.Unfortunately there are very few disposable “post-consumer” plastic items where:<ol style="list-style-type:decimal;"><li>it is easy to identify the material it is made of,&nbsp;</li><li>that material is recyclable, and&nbsp;</li><li>that material is in demand and can be sold to a recycler.</li></ol>The most common ones that meet all these criteria include:<ul><li>PET disposable water bottles</li><li>HDPE milk containers</li><li>HDPE detergent containers</li><li>LDPE bubble paper</li></ul>Plastic cups are not on the list… Neither are most types of plastic containers and disposable tableware.Ultimately, whether a recyclable item gets recycled comes down to its shape: can you determine what it is made of at a glance?So sorry. It's not your fault. Your plastic cup will not be recycled.Your best bet is to avoid single use plastic cups in the first place.PS: In the first photo, the PLA cup is, in fact, on the left.

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Why your PET cup won't get recycled

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Used glass bottles and jars are welcome in blue bins

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Glass Bottles & Jars

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Tetra Pak / Used Beverage Carton

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Yakult and Vitagen bottles

Clean disposable takeaway food containers

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Dirty plastic disposable food take out container. This cannot be recycled without proper cleaning.

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Why your PET cup won't get recycled

Wanted: 1.5L PET bottles for artwork

Glass versus Plastic: Debunking the Myth

Recyclable does not mean Recycled

A-Star Announces BINgo Smart bins

National Deposit Scheme Announced

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