Singapore’s Plastic Predicament: Unravelling the Environmental Challenge

Introduction

Plastics epitomize one of the most ubiquitous forms of waste, not confined to Singapore alone but pervasive on a global scale. Each passing day bears witness to the inescapable presence of plastic, entwined in nearly every facet of our existence. Whether manifesting as food wrappings, straws, or the trusty plastic bag, our encounter with this material seems inescapable. While some plastic items can be reused, most of them end up being thrown away. The problem is that these plastics don’t break down naturally and can’t be recycled, causing them to accumulate as non-biodegradable waste (Geneco, 2019).

Singapore: A Plastic Nation

In 2019, Singapore emerged as the global leader in per capita single-use plastic waste generation, with an estimated 76 kilograms produced per person. This troubling statistic highlights the magnitude of the issue. Disposing of single-use plastic waste often involves burning, burying in landfills, or the unfortunate consequence of it finding its way into waterways. Urgent action is required to address this significant challenge.

Figure 1: Estimated largest single-use plastic waste generating countries per capita worldwide 2019

Source: Statista (2019)

Bottled water stands out as a significant contributor to the plastic pollution predicament in Singapore. Despite the availability of safe tap water, the bottled water industry thrives in Singapore, witnessing a substantial surge in sales from US $117 million in 2013 to US $130 million in 2018—an alarming 24% increase over just five years. Regrettably, the majority of these bottled waters are packaged in single-use plastic containers, with only a negligible fraction being recycled. An insightful study conducted by the Singapore Environment Council in 2018 revealed the staggering consumption of approximately 467 million plastic bottles annually in Singapore, an amount that could fill an astonishing 94 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Despite the excellent quality of tap water in Singapore, there is a prevalent habit among its residents of not consuming it directly. Many Singaporeans hold the belief that public taps are unclean, leading them to abstain from drinking or refilling bottles from these sources. As a result, bottled water emerges as a convenient and reasonably priced alternative, serving as the preferred choice for those seeking to avoid the perceived “yuck” factor associated with tap water consumption. However, it is worth noting that bottled water’s affordability often provides a false sense of assurance to consumers, despite its health benefits being comparable to tap water (Liew, 2019).
Figure 2: Bottled water consumption in Singapore

Source: Liew (2019)

While the topic of climate change may not be entirely clear-cut, a significant majority of Singaporeans (78%) acknowledge their role in influencing the environment through their actions. Of particular concern to them is the issue of plastic usage. A substantial proportion (79%) of Singaporeans agree that the excessive reliance on plastics poses a problem. Furthermore, nearly half of the population (approximately 1 in 2) make a conscious effort to segregate their plastic waste for recycling purposes.
With the existing infrastructure and conditions in Singapore, there is a significant potential to increase the frequency of recycling sessions by up to 20%. However, realizing this improvement is contingent upon a shift in individuals’ mindset. It is crucial for people to recognize that their personal actions hold the power to influence broader environmental outcomes.

Analysis from Ipsos from the latest studies in Singapore in 2019 reveals the following results –

• Over half of Singaporeans (55%) consider global warming/climate change as the most pressing environmental issue for the nation.
• A significant majority of Singaporeans (4 in 5) recognize the detrimental impact of excessive plastic usage, with 47% actively segregating their plastic waste for recycling.
• A notable portion (38%) of Singaporeans express their willingness to support policies aimed at phasing out single-use plastics or non-biodegradable disposables. They are open to embracing alternatives made from biodegradable materials or reusable options, even if it entails a slight increase in price (Ho, 2019).

Singapore’s plastic waste has been steadily increasing every year by an average of 20% as shown in the figure below.
Figure 3: Total volume of plastic waste generated in Singapore from 2013 to 2022

Source: Statista (2022)

In 2022, about 7.39 million tonnes of solid waste were generated in Singapore. The total volume of plastic waste generated in Singapore reached about one million metric tons. Plastic waste makes up around 15 percent of the total waste generated in Singapore. In that same year, around six percent of the plastic waste generated was recycled.

Figure 4: 2022 Waste Statistics and Overall Recycling Table

In Singapore, non-recyclable materials undergo incineration before being disposed of at Pulau Semakau, an offshore island designated for waste management. Unfortunately, with the escalating usage of plastic in Singapore, Pulau Semakau is rapidly reaching its capacity. Dr. Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources, has disclosed that Singapore generated a staggering 8 million tonnes of waste in the previous year alone. If this trend persists, Semakau landfill will reach its maximum capacity by 2035, posing significant challenges in finding an alternative solution. Beyond the immediate implications of land pollution, the incineration of plastic waste also contributes substantially to air pollution. Without appropriate measures in place, the incineration process releases harmful toxic gases into the atmosphere.

The inadvertent disposal of plastic waste into surrounding waters poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems and subsequently impacts human well-being. The already fragile and precious marine life can suffer dire consequences from the ingestion or entanglement in plastic debris. Alarming research findings from the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) Singapore emphasize the severity of the issue. Their data reveals that a quarter of the fish consumed exhibit plastic contamination in their digestive systems, while 83% of tap water samples contain detectable levels of plastic particles. These disconcerting statistics not only highlight the adverse environmental impact of plastic pollution but also underscore the potential risks it poses to our health and the future well-being of generations to come (Geneco, 2019).

Challenges for recycling:

Recycling plastic waste in Singapore presents several challenges, which are outlined below –

1. Lack of awareness:
Another factor contributing to the low rate of plastic recycling is the lack of awareness among consumers regarding the various types of plastics and their recyclability. Experts have highlighted that not all plastics can be recycled, but many consumers are unaware of this distinction. Additionally, even when consumers are aware, some plastics end up in the general waste stream instead of being recycled due to a lack of knowledge on proper recycling methods.

According to Ms. Jen Teo, the executive director at the Singapore Environment Council (SEC), the council’s 2018 report revealed a concerning finding: nearly 70 percent of Singapore residents have limited knowledge of which types of plastics are recyclable (Ho, 2021). Ms. Jen Teo pointed out that due to this lack of understanding about recyclable plastics, the majority of products are unfortunately treated as general waste instead of being recycled within a circular value chain.

2. Improper Recycling Practices:
Another challenge in plastic recycling stems from consumers’ limited knowledge on proper recycling practices. Ms. Teo highlighted the issue of high contamination rates in recycled waste, with nearly 40 percent of recyclables collected from the blue bins not meeting recycling requirements. Specifically, in the case of plastics, packaging that hasn’t been properly washed and still retains food residues is considered contaminated. With water being a scarce resource in Singapore, Ms Teo pointed out that it is rare for used plastics to be cleaned with water prior to being exported by the recycling facility, because the return on investment is not attractive.

One common scenario with single-use plastics at hawker centers, where people buy takeaway food to consume at home and dispose of the containers down the rubbish chute assuming they are contaminated. However, some of these single-use plastics can actually be recycled. One possible reason for this misconception is the inadequate markings on recyclable items, leading to confusion among consumers (Chia, 2018)

Supporting this viewpoint, Ms. Pek Hai Lin, the executive director of Zero Waste SG, a non-governmental green organization, highlighted that contaminated and unsorted plastic waste often goes unnoticed at sorting facilities, resulting in their incineration instead of recycling. Also, the low recycling rates can be attributed, in part, to the fact that not all plastics are recyclable and even those that can be recycled may not have efficient recycling processes in place. Ms. Pek further emphasized that not all plastics hold the same value, citing examples such as plastic packaging used for wrapping vegetable produce, which is considered low-value and more susceptible to contamination (Ho, 2021).

3. Technology
A significant factor contributing to the challenge of plastic pollution is the nascent stage of technology for sorting and cleaning mixed plastic waste. The current capabilities in this field are still developing, and researchers are actively studying and innovating new technologies to address this issue. More advancements are needed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of sorting and cleaning processes for mixed plastic waste. Continued research and development in this area hold promise for enhancing the ability to manage plastic waste more effectively in the future.
4. Inadequate Infrastructure:
According to industry experts, the inadequate infrastructure in Singapore for plastic recycling is a key factor contributing to the low recycling rate of plastics in the country.

Conclusion:

Plastic pollution presents a significant and complex challenge that requires urgent attention. The widespread usage of plastics, coupled with inadequate recycling infrastructure, lack of awareness, and contamination issues, has led to alarming levels of plastic waste in Singapore. The detrimental impact of plastic pollution extends beyond environmental concerns and poses risks to marine life, human health, and future generations. It is crucial to implement comprehensive strategies, including improved recycling facilities, public education, and policy measures to reduce plastic consumption and encourage sustainable alternatives. By addressing plastic pollution proactively and collectively, we can protect our environment, preserve biodiversity, and secure a healthier future for all.

References

Chia, L., (2018). 7 in 10 people in Singapore do not know what plastics to recycle: SEC report. Available at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/plastics-recycle-waste-singapore-environment-council-807176 (Accessed: 14 June 2023)

Geneco (2019). Plastic Pollution in Singapore – What Is It And Why Does It Matter [Online]. Available at https://blog.geneco.sg/knowledge/plastic-pollution-in-singapore-what-is-it-and-why-does-it-matter (Accessed: 13 June 2023)

Ho, T., (2019). A Singapore Perspective on Plastic Pollution [Online]. Available at https://www.ipsos.com/en-sg/singapore-perspective-plastic-pollution (Accessed: 13 June 2023)
Ho, T., (2021). Explainer: Why Singapore’s plastic recycling rate is so low and what can be done to raise it. Available at https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/explainer-why-singapores-plastic-recycling-rate-so-low-and-what-can-be-done-raise-it (Accessed: 13 June 2023)

Liew, M., (2019). “Singapore’s love of bottled water: a costly habit”. ASEAN Today, May 30. Available at https://www.aseantoday.com/2019/05/singapores-love-of-bottled-water-a-costly-habit/ (Accessed: 14 June 2023)

National Environment Agency (2022). Overall Waste Generation And Recycling Rates Increased In 2021 As Economic Activity Picked Up [Online]. Available at https://www.nea.gov.sg/media/news/news/index/overall-waste-generation-and-recycling-rates-increased-in-2021-as-economic-activity-picked-up (Accessed: 14 June 2023)

National Environment Agency (2023). Waste Statistics and Overall Recycling [Online]. Available at https://www.nea.gov.sg/our-services/waste-management/waste-statistics-and-overall-recycling (Accessed: 13 June 2023)

Statista (2019). Estimated largest single-use plastic waste generating countries per capita worldwide 2019 [Online]. Available at https://www.statista.com/statistics/1236953/single-use-plastic-waste-generation-per-capita-worldwide/ (Accessed: 13 June 2023)

Statista (2022). Total volume of plastic waste generated in Singapore from 2013 to 2022 [Online]. Available at https://www.statista.com/statistics/961745/volume-plastic-waste-generated-singapore/ (Accessed: 13 June 2023)
About the author:

With over 19 years of professional experience in Sales Planning and Compensation Management within the multinational corporate landscape, Ranjit has honed his skills as a seasoned data professional. Presently, he holds the position of Senior Engineering Manager at Autodesk Asia Pte Ltd, where he leverages his expertise to drive strategic initiatives. Complementing his practical knowledge, he has pursued advanced education, acquired an Executive MBA and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from UCAM, Spain. He is a voracious reader and is passionate for effective project management. He has obtained certifications as a Project Management Professional (PMP), Program Management Professional (PgMP), and Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP) from PMI US. Furthermore, he has expanded his skill set as a LUMA practitioner and instructor, conducting several successful LUMA workshops in both Singapore and the United States. As an ardent advocate of research, particularly in the realms of humanitarian and environmental science, his goal is to contribute to sustainable solutions that pave the way for a brighter future. He thrives in collaborative, interdisciplinary environments and find immense gratification in presenting his research findings at conferences, working towards bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and public awareness. By doing so, he is dedicated to driving positive change within the research community, making a lasting impact.