Some 30% of all the generated plastic waste is collected for recycling and recycling rates by country vary a lot, as shown in the infographic. Plastic straw consumption per day in Singapore (millions)1 The resident population in Singapore consumes over 2.2 million straws per day, more than a third of them in food centres 0.20 0.10 2.22 0.30 0.35 0.44 0.82 Fast food RestaurantTotal In 2019, about 7.23 million tonnes of solid waste was generated, of which 4.25 million tonnes were recycled. The conveniences plastics offer, however, led to a throw-away culture that reveals the material’s dark side: today, single-use plastics account for 40 percent of the plastic produced every year. Singapore’s National Recycling Programme makes sure every public housing complex has a recycling bin in its vicinity – the large blue ones are for recycling and the big green ones for regular household garbage. The SEC plans to launch a campaign to educate the public to use fewer plastic items, and will work with partners such as NTUC FairPrice and Coca-Cola. Only 2 per cent of these supermarket plastic bags were recycled by consumers. The recycling rate of PET bottles and jars was 26.8 percent in 2018, and the rate for HDPE natural bottles was 29.3 percent in 2018. There aren't only supermarkets, but also bubble tea shops or bakeries that give multiple plastic bags.". The six-month SEC study, undertaken with the help of global consultancy Deloitte, also found that Singapore used 467 million polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles a year and 473 million plastic disposable items like takeaway containers. Singapore, 29th August 2019 - New analysis from Ipsos, drawn from results of latest studies in Singapore over the period of April to August 2019 reveals that 55% of Singaporeans deem that climate change is the top environmental issue that should receive the greatest attention from local leaders. In the Ipsos Global Trends 2020, we uncovered the attitudes and values of more than 22,000 people in 33 countries around the world. So far, such Government-led and NPO-led initiatives have been largely focussed on helping businesses make changes. A council spokesman said: "We wanted to measure something people could accurately recall and measure. Using advanced analytics and expert analysis on this huge data set, we have identified 12 trends and 36 values that will dominate the world in the 2020s. So take a walk around the block or ask around for the big blue bin – we bet it’s nearby. SINGAPORE - Singapore uses at least 1.76 billion plastic items a year - or almost one plastic item per person per day - but less than 20 per cent is recycled, according to survey results announced by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) on Tuesday (July 31). According to a survey conducted by PACT of WWF in November 2018, 70% of Singaporeans say that they would recycle more if it was more convenient and easier to recycle. In a survey of more than 1,000 people online, the non-governmental organisation found that people in Singapore take 820 million plastic bags yearly from supermarkets. Ms Teo said: "SEC is calling on every individuals in Singapore to use one less plastic item per day. Our excessive use of plastics is impacting ocean health and biodiversity. “Filipinos use more than 163 million plastic sachet packets, 48 million shopping bags, and 45 million thin film bags daily,” wrote GAIA in its report titled “Plastics Exposed: How Waste Assessments and Brand Audits are Helping Philippine Cities Fight Plastic Pollution.” Despite the lack of clarity on climate change, Singaporeans (78%) recognize that their behaviour has an impact on the environment, and they take a rather serious view specifically on the use of plastics. For example, in June 2019, PACT together with Zero Waste SG have signed 270 food and beverage (F&B) outlets in Singapore to phase out plastic straws by 1 July 2019. Despite the lack of clarity on climate change, Singaporeans (78%) recognize that their behaviour has an impact on the environment, and they take a rather serious view specifically on the use of plastics. A survey of 2,000 people in March by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Singapore found that 80 per cent of the respondents said they would support a plastic bag levy. The remaining 9% would not support such policies. This article is now fully available for you, Please verify your e-mail to read this subscriber-only article in full. At our event with Repair Kopitiam last month to launch their third site, Dr. Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources, shared that Singapore generated 8 million tonnes of waste just last year alone, equivalent to 530,000 double decker buses. There are 5 ocean gyres in the world where plastic gathers due to current circulation. Plastic bags are terrible for the economy and the environment. SINGAPORE: If each person in Singapore uses 1.6 plastic bags a day, the country would guzzle enough petroleum in a year to drive 8,555 cars round the world. In Europe, energy recovery is the most used way to dispose of plastic waste, followed by landfill. Companies today are challenged to optimize their business models in a landscape where the game is changing both in technological progress and social consciousness.”, https://www.nea.gov.sg/programmes-grants/schemes/singapore-packaging-agreement, https://www.eco-business.com/news/ready-to-report-how-singapore-firms-are-preparing-for-new-packaging-mandate/. In Singapore, consistent with markets all over the world, consumer sentiment is shaping new expectations and new behaviours around sustainable packaging which creates a new commercial imperative that will drive future profitability of brands. This high annual usage of plastic bags has been cause of much concern from environmentalists and concerned members of the public alike. When asked about how this survey results contrast with previous estimates that Singapore goes through 13 plastic bags a day, SEC executive director Jen Teo said that the council's estimate was conservative. There are believed to be 46,000 pieces of plastic in every square mile of ocean. Thi… Until we resolve the issues, subscribers need not log in to access ST Digital articles. While overall the amount of recycled plastics is relatively small—three million tons for a 8.5 percent recycling rate in 2018—the recycling of some specific types of plastic containers is more significant. Of the 5800 million tonnes of primary plastic no longer in use, only 9 percent has been recycled since 1950. The Singapore Environment Council found that Singaporeans use 467 million PET bottles and 473 million single-use plastic items such as takeaway containers each … 198402868E. No. They can read the article in full after signing up for a free account. Find the blue bin in your neighbourhood. Share gift link below with your friends and family. 47% agree that engaging in environmentally-friendly practices is inconvenient and only 26% are confident in interpreting the recycling symbols on packaging. Speaking about the SEC survey findings, a WWF spokesman said: "There's still a huge dark hole when it comes to the plastic bags given out by other retailers. Straws, plastic bags and tiny plastic pieces known as microplastics collect in huge ocean garbage patches, the biggest of which is referred to as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (the widening gyre). Elodie Causier, Head of specialist research unit Market Strategy and Understanding at Ipsos in Singapore and Per-Henrik Karlsson, Head of Ipsos Business Consulting in Singapore, presented the key findings and insights encompassing plastic waste in Singapore along with an exploration of the paths that businesses need to navigate through this global challenge of plastic reduction, at a special event today in Singapore. Analysis of the NEA data by Reuters shows that plastic waste per capita has increased nearly 20 percent over the last 15 years. Bakelite, the first fully synthetic polymer, saw the light of day in 1907. There is also an expectation from Singaporeans on businesses that produce packaged goods and businesses that sell packaged goods to take responsibility in reducing the amount of unnecessary packaging which is sold. The #1 man made thing that sailors see in our ocean are plastic bags. It is now 22 cents. Singaporeans agree that the excessive use of plastics is a problem (79%), and nearly 1 in 2 Singaporeans say that they usually separate their plastic waste to be sent for recycling. The evening will include a presentation by Ipsos that explores the perception and attitudes of Singaporeans relating to domestic abuse, and a panel discussion on the topic. We have been experiencing some problems with subscriber log-ins and apologise for the inconvenience caused. In Ireland they introduced a 15c plastic bag tax and reduced their usage by 90% in one year. ", SPH Digital News / Copyright © 2020 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. Regn. Study: Singapore households generated additional 1,334 tonnes of plastic waste during circuit breaker Saturday, 06 Jun 2020 01:48 PM MYT Amid heightened concerns about hygiene and a surge in food delivery and takeaway orders because of the circuit breaker, the consumption of single-use plastics has inevitably spiked. Develop an appreciation of Singapore’s waste management strategies 2. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month for the first 3 months. Retailers are also moving towards using eco-friendly packaging such as banana leaves and bio-plastic bags and eco-friendly stores including refilling stations using consumers’ own non-plastic packaging for soaps and shampoo that have become increasingly popular. While plastic bags, in theory, are recyclable, they’re not in practice. Conditions are ripe for innovation in alternative packaging, community action and innovative ways to recycle and reuse plastic waste. "We wanted to be granular and focus on the most easily measurable usage," she said. 60% would recycle more if there is a cash incentive to recycling. Climate change: Many think they can't make a difference, Supermarkets in talks to charge for plastic bags, Tackling excessive plastic bag use: No levy in the works, Survey: 1.76b pieces of plastic used here yearly, Plastic bags targeted as Singapore marks World Environment Day, Hotels cut down on single-use plastics like straws and cutlery, No plan to impose plastic bag levy, other types of disposable bags not much greener: Amy Khor, Move to get retailers to limit plastic bag usage. Over there, it is also illegal in general to import, produce, use or sell plastic bags and plastic packaging. That is not a hypothetical situation. Rivers 2. Organisations like PACT (Plastic Action), a voluntary business initiative of the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) has also made significant strides on a sectoral level as well as individual company level. So Singapore won’t introduce a plastic bag levy. From people discarding plastic gloves and masks in cities across the world to important regulations on the use of plastic being scrapped, rolled back or delayed, the problem has taken a … Similar initiatives to drive behavioural change among consumers is still relatively in its early days in Singapore. Singapore used about three billion plastic bags in 2011, according the Singapore Environment Council (SEC). Two-thirds were used for the disposal of waste. The study did not include plastic bags given out by places other than supermarkets. All rights reserved. 2 Objectives By the end of this presentation, we hope the participants will be able to: 1. Most people can estimate the number of plastic bags they use on each supermarket shopping trip, while it may be harder for them to recall how many bags they use from all sources in a week or month.". But less than 10% of plastics are being recycled. SINGAPORE — In Rwanda, being caught with a plastic bag is a crime. Research also found that Singapore uses 467 million PET bottles a year and 473 million plastic … Surveys were conducted online among nationally representative samples of Singaporeans and Singapore PRs, totalling 2,449 respondents. The use of HDPE for plastic pipes in buildings is leading to the growth in the product’s market, owing to the rapid increase in Malaysia’s infrastructure sector. Photography: Aditi Gaitonde Fernandes FYI. We intend to encourage shoppers to use not more than two plastic bags per trip. SINGAPORE - Singapore uses at least 1.76 billion plastic items a year - or almost one plastic item per person per day - but less than 20 per cent is … Understand the plastic waste situation in Singapore 3. Wildlife It could also relieve pressure on waste management and landfills. The reasons for the practice of recycling not being more wide-spread are varied. Elodie Causier, Director at Ipsos in Singapore said, “Plastic waste and packaging sustainability are critical global environmental and commercial issues. We are now entering a third ‘moment of truth’ where brand owners have the opportunity to leverage packaging sustainability as an additional and new, distinctive brand asset.”, Per-Henrik Karlsson, Head of Ipsos Business Consulting in Singapore adds, “The Ipsos analysis looks at the role of the value chain and related stakeholder initiatives along with consumer sentiment and innovations around packaging. This number is likely to have risen … With over 1,500 plastic production companies, Malaysia’s primary export destinations include Europe, China, Singapore, Japan, and Thailand. Singapore only recycled about 4% of its plastic waste last year, according to data published by the National Environment Agency. It was the brainchild of Leo … In Singapore, about 700 million kg of plastic waste is discarded every year. A Singapore Perspective on Plastic Pollution, 55% of Singaporeans state that global warming/climate change is the top environmental issue of concern for the country, 4 in 5 Singaporeans agree that the excessive use of plastics is a problem with 47% claim that they usually separate their plastic waste for recycling, 38% of Singaporeans agree they would support policies to phase out single-use plastics or disposable non-biodegradable plastics in favour of those made with more biodegradable materials or reusable alternatives, if there were a small price increase. Analysis provided in this article was conducted by global market research agency, Ipsos. 500 million tonnes (6 percent) was recycled (100 million tonnes of recycled plastic was still in use; 100 million tonnes was later incinerated; and 300 million tonnes was later discarded or sent to landfill). With an increasing rate of plastic usage in Singapore, Pulau Semakau is now quickly filling up. 15 Key Facts & Statistics About Plastic Pollution August 21, 2017 A study by the University of California Santa Barbara’s National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis found between 4.8 and 12.7 million metric tons of plastic material end up in the oceans every year. Unless otherwise stated, data cited on Singaporean attitudes and behaviour towards plastics and recycling was derived from multiple studies conducted in Singapore over the period of February to August 2019. So far, the government has not adopted any bans or charges on plastic bags or single-use plastic items like straws and plates. Comprising approximately 45 % is the packaging sector, followed by electronics (26 %), automotive (10 %) and construction industry (8 %) of the total plastic … It is reported that Singapore uses at least 1.76 billion plastic items a year – or almost one plastic item per person per day – but less than 20% of that is recycled. Total volume of plastic waste generated in Singapore 2011-2018 Published by J. Müller, Oct 30, 2019 This statistic shows the total volume of plastic waste generated in … And stick with it. By 2050, there could be more plastics in the ocean than fish by weight. The Singapore Environment Council has released a study on plastic bag usage and wastage in the city-state, with several recommendations for both commercial establishments and consumers to curb plastic … Local and community-led initiatives tend to lack scale and durability too. 47% agree that engaging in environmentally-friendly pr… This may be in part due to 50% of Singaporeans who feel that there are too many conflicting opinions for the public to be confident about claims made around climate change and 24% who say that the seriousness of climate change is exaggerated. In the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint published in 2015, the National Environment Agency describes initiatives like the Singapore Packing Agreement, an integrated waste management facility and other plans to move the country to a Zero-Waste Nation. Did you know, according to Singapore Environment Council: Singapore uses around 820 million plastic bags from supermarkets every year People here use about 1.76 BILLION pieces of single-use plastic a year Our recycling rate is just six per cent. You have reached your limit of subscriber-only articles this month. 43% would if the recyclable information is clearly printed on packaging products. Forests 4. Oceans 3. Singaporeans recognise that everyone has some responsibility in driving real change, but two-thirds of Singaporeans believe that governments and international organisations like the UN, ASEAN, EU etc, should be most responsible for taking action on climate change. In parliament on Monday, MP Louis Ng called on the government to do more to tackle the city-state’s chronic plastic over-use problem and move “towards a plastic-lite Singapore” by banning single-use plastic in the public sector, and putting a charge on carrier bags to address what he described as “an urgent public safety issue”. Less than 20 per cent of these items are recycled. Reducing the use of bags can mitigate harsh impacts to: 1. The 6 per cent reduction in the amount of waste generated compared to 2018 is the third yearly reduction since 2017. Brand owners’ initiatives to help reduce plastic waste and promote a sustainable environment include replacing all plastic packaging with recycled plastic products, replacing single-use plastic containers and straws with eco-friendly products and launching promotions to encourage non-plastic use. You can read this subscriber-only article in full, All done! Singaporeans agree that the excessive use of plastics is a problem (79%), and nearly 1 in 2 Singaporeans say that they usually separate their plastic waste to be sent for recycling. Growing concern over plastic delivers a new 'moment of truth' for brands: A Singapore perspective on plastic pollution - Ipsos Report. The gift link for this subscriber-only article has expired. Approximately 3 billion plastic bags were used in Singapore in 2011 (Lee & Goh, 2012), resulting in an average of 1.6 plastic bags used per person on a daily basis. Lakes 5. Plastic Waste Management in Singapore Jaren Soo Executive Engineer (WRMD/P&D) 13 Apr 2018. The recycling industry in Singapore however face several demand and supply challenges where there is lack of local demand, a low supply of recycled materials and where limited industry growth is expected. The reasons for the practice of recycling not being more wide-spread are varied. By registering, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy. 33% would recycle more if it was legislated by the government. Based on Ipsos analysis, given the current infrastructure and conditions in Singapore, the number of recycling sessions every week can be increased by up to 20% if there is a change in mindset among individuals – that they believe that their personal behaviour can impact overall environmental outcomes. Waste management statistics and overall recycling measures Key Highlights. Statistics on the environment are compiled by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, National Environment Agency and Public Utilities Board. If you do one thing this year to live more sustainably, pick from our list of how to quit single-use plastic. Plastic waste treatment in Europe. But a log-in is still required for our PDFs. Skip to main A Singapore … When asked if there were policies in place to phase out single-use plastics or disposable non-biodegradable plastics such as plastic bags, straws, food containers, plastic bottles, etc., in favour of those made with more biodegradable materials or reusable alternatives, 38% of Singaporeans agree they would support it if there were a small price increase, and 64% would support it if there were no price increase. It has also not disclosed any plans to replace the Semakau dump. A report by The Straits Times in March said each person in Singapore threw away an average of 13 bags a day in 2016. There is a general understanding among Singaporeans (97%) that climate change is at least partly influenced by human activity. And apologise for the first 3 months this article is now quickly filling.. 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