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Interpretation:

- Most retailers do not have a genuine desire to positively impact the environment. Their policies are designed to increase profits by greenwashing their business or appealing to environmentally conscious customers.

Assumptions:

-For business owners, being eco-friendly and profitable are non-mutually exclusive. This means that we can include sustainable alternatives in our businesses yet at the same time, be friendly to the environment.

Implications:

-Since use of plastic bring about several benefits such as convenience and longer shelf life for items such as food products, customers of our business may be resistant towards the change of using packaging that are not plastic.

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Global perspective - will using more expensive alternatives affect Singapore’s economy and reduce foreign investors?

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cost and effect
- how will the extent of using alternative materials affect businesses

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Consumers may be irked if there is a rise in prices. Investors will monitor the situation closely to see which company they believe has a high potential of growth.

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POV of the other 6 stakeholders
POV of opposition in Parliament
POV of the various business owners and retailers across the different industries and sectors, of different sizes and economic capacities
POV of other international organizations e.g. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

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The lack of government funding in our efforts to reduce plastic waste results in us incurring and bearing costs so as not to pass them down to consumers and resulting in our financial strain, further resulting in discontinued commercial viability.

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Practical Assumption (assuming the worst): Reduction of plastic will hurt us economically.

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Business owners will be unwilling to take on the responsibility of reducing plastic waste because of the impact it will have on their profits. Businesses may attempt to skirt regulations, or follow the letter of the governmental directives instead of the spirit if it helps them save profits. Thus effort must be taken to ensure that the directives are written in a sense that loopholes cannot be found.

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circular economy -- a model of production & consumption to extend life cycle of products by keeping the material within the economy when the product reaches the end of its life

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For business owners, being eco-friendly and profitable are non-mutually exclusive. This means that we can include sustainable alternatives in our businesses yet at the same time, be friendly to the environment.

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According to IPSOS Singapore (global leader in market research):
38% of Singaporeans are willing to accept a small price increase supporting policies to phase out single-use plastics or disposable non-biodegradable plastics, in favour of those made with more biodegradable materials or reusable alternatives.

The reasons for the practice of recycling not being more widespread are varied. 47% agree that engaging in environmentally friendly practices is inconvenient††† and only 26% are confident in interpreting the recycling symbols on packaging††.
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, 60% would recycle more if there is a cash incentive to recycling, 43% would if the recyclable information is clearly printed on packaging products, and 33% would recycle more if it was legislated by the government. To reduce the problems caused by unnecessary use of plastic items that cannot be recycled, 35% are willing to stop using plastic bags, straws and bottles and 37% say they are willing to buy more products made from recycled materials.

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Changing company policy to reduce plastic use will reduce profits of the business

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Sustainability

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Economics concepts like cost and profit, supply and demand, keeping up with the business strategies of competitors to stay on top of the game

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1) To what extent is plastic used commercially; what variables affect it?
2) In what ways would businesses be affected?
3) Alternatives being implemented in other businesses?

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Economic Concepts: Demand & Supply Curves, Market Failures, Root Causes of this issue, Plastic Reduction's commercial viability

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practicality, cost of eco-friendly packaging, profit,

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How much does switching to alternative materials to plastic cost businesses and will it end in losses? Is it even worth trying to be eco-friendly, how much will it really help society?

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plastic packaging is essential as it has various benfits like extending the shelf life of food and ensuring hygiene, so it will be difficult to completely avoid the use of plastic packaging

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People should make a conscious effort to recycle plastics. Plastics can have a much longer lifespan than it’s current lifespan. We should use recycled plastic and make them into higher-value items. As a business owner, we can sell products made of recycled materials as long as it is profitable.

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Most retailers do not have a genuine desire to positively impact the environment. Their policies are designed to increase profits by greenwashing their business or appealing to environmentally conscious customers.

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will the changes made affect the profits made? to what extent will businesses be affected or affect other aspects (financially + environmentally)? will consumers be affected by changes (both positively and negatively)?

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to reduce (plastic) packaging used without affecting business profits

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Are consumers comfortable with switching over to being plastic free?
How will going plastic free affect our businesses?

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1. non plastic materials are more expensive then plastics
2. plastics are more effective in preserving food than non plastics

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1. consumers would not wish to take on the added trouble of using non plastic wrapping material.
2. businesses would suffer a loss if they start using alternative wrappings

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Many consumers like using plastic bags, especially supermarket ones and they can reuse them afterwards at home for garbage disposal etc

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practicality, sustainability
- we must ensure that the use of non plastics does not compromise the safety of the food

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1. recyling plastic waste is costly
2. consumers would prefer using single-use plastics over bringing their own carrier
3. plastic is commonly used in businesses since it is a much more durable and cheaper material compared to others

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environmentalists, consumers, potential investors

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Supermarkets as the primary usage of plastics is to impede the process of food decay; an absence of plastic would lead to the shelf lives of products decreasing drastically, resulting in greater loss of products and eventual income

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Since use of plastic bring about several benefits such as convenience and longer shelf life for items such as food products, customers of our business may be resistant towards the change of using packaging that are not plastic.

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we should examine the concepts of supply and demand, a circular economy and cost and profit

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Not all plastic packaging and containers are designed to be recycled. Plastic packaging and containers are produced by using unique blends of plastic types, all of which can affect the value of the material and make re-processing them into recycled products difficult or impossible. And many businesses use such plastics everyday which contributes to alot of waste on our part. Many single-use plastics, like straws, are so small that they fall out during collection or enter the ocean from landfill. Containers and packaging that use layers of plastic and other materials, like single-use sauce sachets, or which are contaminated by organic material like food cannot be recycled at all. Even products that are recyclable in one locality may not be recyclable in another, due to differences in local recycling regulation and capacity. Reducing plastic waste could require the re-design of approximately 30 percent of all plastic packaging by weight.11 This inconsistency in design and manufacturing standards results from lack of industry consensus or standards on the style and composition of plastic packaging and containers

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plastic is used widely, whether it be for packaging, clothes, containers or in smart devices. Currently, there are no alternatives that can compete with plastic. One current policy regarding plastic waste is The Singapore Packaging Agreement, which brings companies together in a commitment to reduce packaging waste to not only help reduce the waste generated but also enjoy cost savings.

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practicality, profit

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As business owners and retailers, one inference we can draw is the main reason behind the current lack in commitment from various business stakeholders, namely the concern of food safety, quality and hygiene, as well as the cost potentially incurred and the uncertainty regarding continued commercial viability. As we are profit-driven, we hope that the government can provide us with financial incentives and address our concerns.

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Plastic is used by many retailers to extend the shelf life of products by preventing scratches

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Single-use plastic are used most commonly to store items, such as in the case of packaging or in plastic bags. These packaging often use relatively high amounts of plastic as compared to other things like straws. Thus, as an example, while prominently advertising that my business is going straw-free may draw support from the community (especially young environmentally conscious people), reducing use of such a low-impact item will not have a large impact on the environment as compared to reducing the use of something with a higher plastic volume like plastic bags.

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Plastic is useful in many ways for businesses and retailers. For businesses such as supermarket chains, we use it to maintain the freshness of our food, which reduces food wastage. For retailers, we use it to package all our goods. Neat plastic packaging is important for the aesthetics of our products, and the impressions customers have of us. For food vendors, we use it to package our food, but sometimes we provide compostable packaging as well, but it incurs higher costs.

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We should also consider the perspective of the consumers, business investors, environmentalists, product suppliers

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to come up with a sustainable solution that will be cost effective and still profitable for the businesses while serving the function to reduce plastic waste

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It would be difficult to convince our business consumers to switch over to using plastic-free packaging, and businesses might also have to bear the cost when switching over to being plastic-free

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If eco friendly packaging costs more are customers willing to pay slightly more so that businesses maintain their current profits

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what other methods could we use to reduce plastic waste but also ensure. that our business does not suffer?
are there other biodegradable materials we can use to package food to extend its shelf life and ensure it is still safe to consume?
Who would compensate the business's losses from reducing plastic waste?

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We will maintain and adopt a transparent approach and provide any information regarding this issue in relation if its not confidential to us. For example, we we will provide information in the forms of termly reports such as the type, quality and amount of plastic we use in the product and packaging and our plastic reduction plans.

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1. consumers would rather continue using plastic bags
2. it is more convenient for everyone to just keep using plastic
3. plastic is cheaper than non plastic packaging

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Are there ways to use sustainable, eco-friendly packaging yet maintaining the current cost of packaging?

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How will having to reduce plastic waste affect my business?
How can I ensure that my profits are not compromised?
How can I make use of the fact that I have to reduce plastic waste to draw in larger numbers of environmentally conscious customers?
What is my aim in reducing plastic waste? Do I truly seek to reduce my environmental impact, or do I seek only to stay within the governmental regulations?
Will the changes I make to my business have an actual positive impact on the environment?

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We should also consider the point of view of our customers

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Plastic packaging is used in the shipping of clothes etc from online commerce platforms, perhaps we could focus on trying to eliminate this: The packaging is unnecessary for most of these products do not have a shelf life

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Plastics that are currently used to package food has been clearly shown to improve shelf life of many food items. Businesses are cooperative on using the logo for products with reduced packaging.

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supply and demand, sustainability in the long term, cost and profit, investment

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Besides losses in profit, initiatives by businesses and retailers to reduce plastic waste can have other negative consequences, such as an increase in food waste (since plastic is used to preserve food)

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How do we convince business owners to use less plastic as currently there is no material that can compete with the durability and flexibility of plastic
Some businesses might not be able to reduce the use of plastic due to financial difficulties, so how will the government play a part in this?

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Plastic is key to ensuring that fresh foods remain fresh, if we were to use alternatives to plastic, will it be as effective and if not, how will it affect our business if alternative materials reduce shelf life

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The aim of this discussion is to ascertain methods as to how businesses can contribute towards the reduction of plastic waste notwithstanding any compromise towards existing business affairs.

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Plastics are used to package foods sold to ensure they are safe to consume

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Plastic waste can increase the shelf life of fresh food and can protect non-food products from scratches and damages etc.

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The aim of the discussion is to find a way to reduce plastic waste while not compromising on our business. We should be able to find a balance between contributing to MSE's targets and our business interests.

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How can businesses help in the enforcement of such measures?
Who would bear the costs and provide business with the financial assurance as we explore other alternatives?
Who would ensure our continued commercial viability?
Who would provide us with funding and how much?

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In supermarkets, plastic waste is mainly used to protect and prevent food waste. For example, plastic packaging can be used to extend shelf life of fruits.

Currently, in Singapore, there are zero-waste grocery stores which encourage customers to bring their own reusable containers to pack the food they wish to buy.

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How will our profits be affected when we switch to more sustainable alternatives?

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To examine how business owners and retailers can contribute to MSE’s targets without compromising their businesses

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To explore eco-friendly solutions that can reduce plastic waste in businesses, while not heavily compromising our businesses, so that we can promote environmental sustainability in the long run.

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The aim of the discussion is to find ways for our businesses to participate in reducing plastic waste without compromising our business.

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To explore ways to reduce plastic waste used in food and beverage packaging without compromising our business

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One key concept businesses have to keep in mind is practicality. The main purpose of plastics in food packaging is to extend the food's shelf life. In finding an alternative for plastic, the practicality of keeping long-term profits and attracting the same amount of consumers must be kept in mind.

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1. consumers find plastic products to be convenient
2. consumers are unwilling to reduce/recycle their plastic waste because it is inconvenient
3. non plastic alternatives are more expensive than plastic products
4.

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How we can be more eco-friendly as businesses such as ours often contribute to a lot of plastic waste, while also maintaining the quality of our products.

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To find a way to allow businesses to reduce their plastic waste while not affecting their business economically

# data[].attributes.body
Examine how our business can contribute to the reduction of plastic waste without it being compromised

# data[].attributes.body
The purpose of our discussion is to reach a general consensus, to strike a balance and reach a compromise, common ground on how to reduce plastic waste such that our business is not compromised or negatively affected in any way. We aim to further our business's interests while simultaneously contributing to the circular economy.

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As business owners, we should also consider the point of view of the consumer.

This is because, if the solutions we implement are not as attractive to the consumers/customers, our businesses would be affected negatively.

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To find ways to reduce plastic waste used in food and beverage packaging without compromising the business

# data[].attributes.body
To come to a consensus with other business owners and retailers on how to work with MSE to reduce plastic waste so there is significant reduction but businesses are not compromised.

# data[].attributes.body
Are there alternatives to plastic when it comes to food packaging? How receptive would consumers be to changes in plastic use from the producers.

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The purpose of the discussion is to help businesses to be less dependent on using plastic in their products packaging while at the same time not affecting their revenue.

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I aim to achieve a method to reduce plastic waste. This could be because I want to keep in line with the government's regulations, or because I have genuine concern for the environment. However, as a bustiness owner, making sure that my business is commercially viable is extremely important to me. Thus I will seek to maximise profits while minimising plastic waste.

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Instructions on how to post your insights

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Instructions on how to post your insights

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1) Click on the '+' sign
2) Click on the "Title" and type in your name
3) Click on "Write something" and post your insights, using the Paul's Wheel of Reasoning as a guide.

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Who you are

You are business owners and retailers.

MSE has approached you to contribute to the discussion on plastic waste reduction.

Your objective

To examine how your business can contribute to reduction of plastic waste without compromising your business (e.g., production of packaged goods; production of recycled plastic products; retail business).

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When travelling, do you bring your own toothbrush and re-use your hotel towels for the entire length of your stay, because you hate the idea of using them just once before discarding or sending them to the wash?

If yes, chances are you take the topic of travelling sustainably pretty seriously. You're fully aware that environmental health and stability can no longer be taken for granted, and that the fate of the planet is increasingly at stake.

How then are hotels in Singapore standing up to the expectations of these eco-conscious travellers, especially those stalwarts constructed in the 70s and 80s?

Hospitality industry veteran Loh Lik Peng, director of Unlisted Collection, a stable of boutique hotels, and Grand Hyatt Singapore's managing steward Vijay Sivarajah offer their insights into how the industry is embracing the green revolution, and offering both guests and employees a unique and rewarding experience today.

Shifting the paradigm towards sustainability

Enter a hotel room today and you're likely to find triple-glazed windows that reduce glare and keep temperatures constant in the room, smart sensors that activate the air-conditioning and lights, biodegradable packaging for toiletries, and a card urging guests to re-use towels. Instead of plastic bottles, you may find filtered water in glass bottles, and even recycling bins in the room.

According to Mr Loh, the green revolution has had a dramatic impact on the hotel industry. "It has shifted the paradigm from one where hotel developers would try to squeeze as many rooms as possible per square foot to maximise the value of the property, to a more sustainable way of running business which considers the lifetime cost of operating a hotel," he says.

Hotels, both new and old, have widely adopted technology as part of this movement.

For restaurants under Unlisted Collection, tracking energy consumption patterns has become a veritable science. By monitoring usage across all sorts of appliances and applications - from air-conditioning to gas and water heaters - the company has been able to reduce power usage by 20 to 30 per cent.

Technology has improved so rapidly in recent years Mr Loh estimates that retrofitted and new hotels are consuming only half the power of buildings built five to six years ago. "A hotel that's designed to be energy efficient is also going to be more cost efficient. The bottom line is this: Conserving energy doesn't just benefit the environment; it is also good for the business," he adds.

Tackling energy and waste for a greener future

Several hotels in Singapore, such as Grand Hyatt Singapore, have adopted a philosophy of "not wasting the waste" and upcycling a variety of waste into useful materials.

As the first hotel in Singapore to have a food waste management system, Grand Hyatt Singapore converts 1,000kg of food waste into organic fertiliser on a daily basis, in the process eliminating the need for 55,000 trash bags which would otherwise be used to contain all the food waste annually.

The hotel owns a machine, called a Biomax Thermophilic Digester, which converts food waste into pathogen-free organic fertilisers, and these are used for the hotel's landscaping purposes, including its rooftop herb garden.

Plastic bottles are not discarded but upcycled into uniforms, napkins, and aprons for the hotel staff, and paper packaging is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), so guests can be assured that the wood used to make their paper napkins, coasters and even straws is sourced from responsibly managed forests.

With the aid of a management tool known as Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA), the hotel is also able to trace waste, material, energy losses and emissions for its activities and processes, and assign an environmental cost to its business operations.

While Grand Hyatt Singapore is now a success story for sustainability, the hotel's managing steward Mr Sivarajah recalls a rocky start to their journey when it was piloted 10 years ago, as it was a "difficult concept" to grasp for most people.

He explains: "The cost on the environment isn't visible to the naked eye, so the main obstacle was getting people to understand sustainability and why it matters not just to us, but also to everyone."

As the man-in-charge of the hotel's Stewarding department, which maintains cleanliness for the hotel's kitchens, restaurants, and bars, Mr Sivarajah is entrusted with the entire supply chain of what goes in and out of the kitchens.

"We scrutinise every item carefully to see if it's sustainably produced and sourced because in reality, the cost is more than what is on the price tag," he says.

Having a common goal to protect the planet

Being conscious of these invisible costs can help consumers make more educated and responsible choices when they travel, says Mr Loh.

"If you travel by air, that will probably chalk up most of the carbon footprint. But consumers have control over what they use and what they eat. They can go for food that's sourced locally, or even plant-based meals. Food that has travelled a shorter distance or obtained from sources lower down the food chain is better for the planet. The only way for sustainable change to happen is when guests vote with their wallets."

"More importantly," he adds, "this movement needs to be driven by talents who are equally passionate about sustainability. You don't just have to enjoy hotel stays; you can be part of that future. The future of hotels and the careers the industry can offer will be nothing short of exciting."

With sustainability being woven into every aspect of hotel operations, technology also plays a key role in driving the green revolution and redefining the job scopes of employees today.

Says Mr Loh: "Hotel employees now are able to learn a lot of new technological applications because that's part of the job nowadays. And with technology automating processes in a hotel's backend operations, employees are freed up to do more impactful things and provide the human touch at all the right places.

"For the majority of people entering the industry now, it's a much more rewarding job than it would have been five or six years ago."

It's a sentiment that Mr Sivarajah agrees with, noting that while "innovation and technology are there to help with workflow, it still takes heart to serve your guests and make sure that they leave your venues happy".

"Today, our employees, especially the younger ones, are coming to us with ideas and suggestions on how we can be even greener. Compared to a decade ago, the drive for sustainability is no longer the uphill battle it once was. It's come a long way and I believe we're going to see real progress because we now share a common mission to do better by the earth," he says.

And as consumption patterns change, conscious travellers will start factoring in sustainability when choosing one hotel over another.

More than just looking at sustainability as critical for long-term survival, hotels are integrating these practices into their day-to-day operations and, in the process, creating new opportunities and exciting career choices for an industry committed to caring for the planet.
Brought to you by Singapore Tourism Board, in partnership with Singapore Hotel Association

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Turning plastic bottles into uniforms, food waste into fresh herbs: How hotels are embracing sustainability

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When travelling, do you bring your own toothbrush and re-use your hotel towels for the entire length of your stay, because you hate the idea of using them just once before discarding or sending them to the wash? If yes, chances are you take the topic of travelling sustainably pretty seriously.

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Discover Ipsos Update

Our first monthly research round-up of the year includes both reflections on 2020 and a look forward at the year ahead. Featured topics include vaccines, behaviour change, food trends and a look at the local story in a selection of countries.
Ipsos Update

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Ipsos | Global Market Research and Public Opinion Specialist

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Global leader in market research, Ipsos delivers reliable information and true understanding of Society, Markets and People. Our solutions use data from surveys, polls, social media or qualitative, and provide actionable insights into the experience and opinions of citizens, consumers, patients, customers, employees.

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SINGAPORE: A stroll around most supermarkets reveals how important plastic seems to be in the sale of fresh food.

Fruit and vegetables are often wrapped in plastic while meat and fish usually comes in a tray encased in clingwrap. There are also usually plenty of plastic bags on hand for those loose items that shoppers select before they're weighed and priced.

Such scenes are repeated at supermarkets around the world.

But questions are starting to be raised about whether more should be done to reduce the reliance of supermarkets on plastic packaging, as the debate extends beyond cutting down on plastic shopping bags.

For instance, Sainsbury's in the UK recently announced that they will be trialing plastic packaging-free fruit and vegetable aisles in their grocery stores. Two superstores will give customers the option of bringing their own containers or buying a reusable drawstring bag for loose produce.

But experts and industry players think a similar move in Singapore is unlikely.

Professor of environmental economics at Nanyang Technological University Euston Quah believes eliminating plastic packaging completely in supermarkets is not practical and could cause problems elsewhere. "Paper for wrapping can tear easily and hygiene could be compromised.

"Bringing your own bags can also result in contamination, especially when people do not wash their bags often, which is also at the expense of water resources."

Mr Jonas Kor, director of corporate communications and brand at NTUC FairPrice, told CNA that while the brand remains committed to environmental sustainability, food safety and quality remains a priority.

"To reduce damage and minimise cross-contamination particularly for fresh produce, we use a variety of packaging including cling wrap, foam nets and trays and bags, depending on each type of fruit and vegetable."

He cited white radish, corn and leafy vegetables as some examples of fresh produce that is typically pre-packaged by suppliers to protect them from damage while in transit, noting that this reduces food waste.

"Nonetheless, where possible, we sell produce 'loose', such as hardier fruits like oranges, apples and avocados."

MP for Nee Soon GRC Louis Ng told CNA that he agrees that there is a hygiene concern in eliminating plastic packaging or plastic bags for fresh produce.

"Unlike a lot of other countries where it's more temperate, when you bring meat out here, it defrosts and gets a bit sticky in the bag. Same goes for vegetables. I do think we can draw the line there."

Mr Ng, who called for a surcharge on all single-use bags, except those used for fresh produce, in an adjournment motion in Parliament in October last year, thinks Singapore cannot go completely plastic bag-free, especially for those who stay in HDB estates and use plastic bags to dispose of their waste.

"Unlike other countries where they might not need it, in Singapore, if you don't use it, that creates a real hygiene concern in our public estates.

Singapore uses about 1.76 billion plastic items each year, according to the Singapore Environment Council's position paper published in 2018. This includes 820 million plastic bags from supermarkets, 467 million PET bottles and 473 million plastic disposable items.

According to NEA, packaging waste, including plastics, make up about one-third of domestic waste disposed of in Singapore.
REDUCING EXCESSIVE PACKAGING
Dairy Farm Group, which manages supermarkets Cold Storage and Giant, said it is "constantly looking at ways to reduce single-use plastic waste", and is working with local government agencies and packaging industry groups to find long-term solutions.

Manager of Zero Waste SG Pek Hai Lin said: "We are aware that most foods are imported and packaging can increase the shelf-life of certain food types, but we can reduce excessive packaging of certain items.

"Supermarkets might have more information on how much packaging is needed to increase shelf life of food."

Nonetheless, environmental expert and founder of Plastic-Lite Singapore Aarti Giri thinks local supermarket chains could do more to reduce plastic packaging on fresh produce.

"Better differentiation needs to be made between minimally packaging delicate produce and more robust ones like capsicums and bananas," she said.

By 2020, businesses will have to report the type and amount of packaging they put into the market to the NEA, and outline their plans for reducing it. This applies to brand owners, manufacturers, importers of packaging and packaged goods, as well as supermarkets with an annual turnover of more than $10 million.

Ms Giri urged local supermarkets to adopt packaging-free aisles for fresh produce and pass on the cost savings from the packaging reduction to consumers, to encourage them towards packaging-free produce.

She outlined two other solutions - alternative biodegradable packaging materials such as banana leaves or bio-plastics, and working closely with suppliers to reduce retail-level packaging.

MORE CIVIC MINDEDNESS NEEDED
Mr Kor said FairPrice works closely with its suppliers to maintain the quality of its produce while avoiding excessive packaging when transporting and retailing these products.

In the past year, several smaller, zero-waste grocery shops like Unpackt and Reprovisions have opened across the island, where customers bring their own containers for a wide variety of groceries. But founders say even they foresee problems in selling packaging-free fresh produce.

Founder of Unpackt Ms Florence Tay said while the initiative may be good for the environment, it may create another set of problems such as food waste.

She ran a short trial selling fresh produce at Unpackt, located in Jalan Kurau, but found that shoppers lacked "civic mindedness" and "were more keen to play with the fresh produce".

"Some shoppers are not considerate and may poke and rummage through the produce," adding that large chain supermarkets would have to employ more manpower to man the packaging-free aisles.

Co-founder of Reprovisions Mr Allann Tay agreed that customers are likely to abuse packaging-free fresh produce, because Singaporeans tend to try and pick the nicer looking fruits and vegetables, which may damage others lost in the shuffle.

The store, located in Jurong Point, sells mostly dried foods that are easy to store in bulk. Mr Tay said they have yet to bring in fresh produce due to space constraints, but are looking at a second, bigger location that can provide more product
THE COST OF CONVENIENCE
Mr Tay also pointed out that most of the products sold in supermarkets are packaged by suppliers or manufacturers, making it less practical for supermarkets to enforce packaging-free standards. "There isn't much brand differentiation once there is no packaging. Supermarkets cater to people who want the branding and packaging, whereas shops like us caters to those who can do without it."

Prof Quah believes there would be backlash if such measures are implemented because there are "no clear alternatives" to plastic bags and packaging.

He added that most Singaporeans still value plastic packaging and plastic bags for their convenience and multiple uses, and supermarkets must establish "a clear return" for reducing plastic use.

"Supermarkets must offer clear incentives to entice consumers to behave accordingly. There must be a connection that consumers can see, that their efforts are translated to gains other than environmental gains.

"Worse still, consumers might perceive environmental gains coming at their expense, along with cost-savings and higher profits for the supermarkets."
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS STILL GROWING
Instead of cutting out packaging entirely, supermarkets can instead look at where packaging can be reduced, he said. For example, discouraging the purchase of individually packed items.

Despite their troubles, zero-waste grocery stores remain positive that Singaporeans are making the shift towards bringing their own bags.

Mr Tay said customer feedback at Reprovisions has been positive.

"We encounter people who are quite open to the concept once they know they are doing something good for the environment and future generations."

Zero-waste grocery stores are not a new concept, said Ms Tay, who opened Unpackt in May last year.

"We have shopping alternatives in traditional provision stores that still sell food in bulk. The local wet markets are also a good place to look for packaging-free fresh produce."

Ms Tay noted that shopping package-free takes a lot of discipline and mindfulness.

"Most people are already conscious of the environmental issues. They just need a few more nudges to action."

However, Ms Giri said while most consumers are aware of the detrimental effects of plastic pollution, not all see the urgency in choosing sustainable options.

"The resistance from shoppers should not be taken as an excuse to prolong a problem. That would be very short-sighted of us and at the expense of the health of our future generations and our biodiversity.

"The urgency to address climate change and enforce mitigating solutions is much akin to that of controlling an on-going infectious epidemic. Efforts need to be relentless and continuous."

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Could more be done to reduce plastic packaging waste in Singapore's supermarkets?

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(Updated: ) Share this content SINGAPORE: A stroll around most supermarkets reveals how important plastic seems to be in the sale of fresh food. Fruit and vegetables are often wrapped in plastic while meat and fish usually comes in a tray encased in clingwrap.

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Dr Janil Puthucheary takes a deep dive into one of the major contributors to global warming: Plastic. What can be done to curb our plastic addiction?

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Singapore has taken another step in its long-term plans to improve its recycling rates and capabilities, particularly its ability to recover more plastic waste.

Last week, the National Environment Agency (NEA) awarded the tender for the feasibility study and design of a pilot plastic recovery facility to engineering firm HTP GmbH & Co. The company specialises in the planning and design of waste management and recycling systems.

The feasibility study will help the NEA identify and assess the capacity and design of the facility, as well as the requirements for a suitable site, the agency said.

The study is expected to start soon and be completed by the third quarter of this year.

It will run parallel to a joint study between the NEA and energy company Shell that was announced last October, on the feasibility of chemically recycling waste in Singapore.

The NEA said the plastic recovery facility will take in domestic waste collected from households and trade premises before sorting it and recovering various plastic polymer types. These will be further treated in chemical recycling plants.

"The recovered plastics... can be converted into higher-value products such as pyrolysis oil, which can serve as feedstock for Singapore's petrochemical sector to manufacture new plastics and chemicals," said the NEA.

The facility will also be able to recover suitable polyethylene terephthalate, a type of plastic commonly known as PET, which will be mechanically recycled.

The NEA said there is currently no local facility that recovers contaminated plastics from domestic waste.

Under the current system, recyclables are collected from blue National Recycling Programme bins at various locations across the island.

The new facility will tap a larger source of waste collected, such as from the green general waste bins in Housing Board estates, thereby reducing the amount of waste sent for incineration and to landfills, said the NEA.

The feasibility study on the facility will propose the technologies and equipment required to recover up to 72,000 tonnes of plastic waste a year for chemical recycling, among other things.

The study will, in addition, determine the cost-effectiveness for the facility to separate and recover non-plastic recyclables, such as paper, metals and glass, the NEA said.

The facility would be "a key enabler in closing the waste loop, especially for plastics", the agency said.

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Study to be done on recovering plastic waste

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Singapore has taken another step in its long-term plans to improve its recycling rates and capabilities, particularly its ability to recover more plastic waste. Last week, the National Environment Agency (NEA) awarded the tender for the feasibility study and design of a pilot plastic recovery facility to engineering firm HTP GmbH & Co.

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SINGAPORE (Reuters) - As countries around Southeast Asia struggle to cope with growing piles of plastic and other waste on land and in their waters, Singapore is one country in the region that appears to have things figured out.

Singapore's streets are glistening clean, its parks and beaches mostly free from the trash that plagues neighboring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. Almost all of Singapore's non-recyclable waste is incinerated, with the ash and some solid waste shipped to a man-made island nearby that doubles as a nature reserve.

But that solution looks as if it is running short on time.

The tip on Semakau island was supposed to meet Singapore's dumping needs until as late as 2045, according to environment ministry documents. But with the use of disposable products growing at a rapid rate, the ministry's most recent estimates show that Semakau could be full a decade earlier.

Plastics was the largest category of waste disposed of in Singapore last year - 763,400 tonnes - according to data from the National Environment Agency (NEA). Only 6 percent of the 815,200 of plastic waste generated was recycled.

Analysis of the NEA data by Reuters shows that plastic waste per capita has increased nearly 20 percent over the last 15 years.

A report by the local Straits Times newspaper in March said each person in Singapore threw away an average of 13 bags a day in 2016.

So far, the government has not adopted any bans or charges on plastic bags or single-use plastic items like straws and plates. It has also not disclosed any plans to replace the Semakau dump.

"More needs to be done to prolong the life of Semakau landfill beyond 2035," the NEA said in an email when asked about plans for the dump.

The agency said that recycling initiatives had helped stabilize the amount of trash sent for incineration, despite increases in waste generation caused by population and economic growth.

HARDER LINE

Southeast Asia is home to four of the world's top marine plastic polluters, a trend some think will be exacerbated by last year's waste import ban in China, which used to be the world's top destination for recyclable trash.

The recent death of a pilot whale in Thailand with 80 pieces of plastic rubbish in its stomach has also drawn global attention to the problem.

Singapore, which plays host to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year, is planning a special ministerial meeting on climate action in July.

But climate groups have urged the government of the wealthy city-state, which enjoys broad support from its electorate, to spend more political capital on tackling waste in a convenience culture where deliveries and take-out meals are common.

Singapore says it aims to become a "zero waste" nation, meaning it will eventually not send any waste to landfill. However, it has yet to set a date for achieving that goal.

The NEA said it was implementing initiatives aimed at increasing recycling rates and reducing waste at the source. These have included increasing the number of recycling bins and awareness campaigns.

It said Singapore was offering research grants for companies and organizations to develop sustainable waste management technologies, and planned to make it mandatory for large generators of packaging waste to report the types and quantities they use and their reduction plans by 2021.

The local recycling industry has yet to feel the pinch of China's waste ban, the NEA said, adding that for now it was still able to find overseas markets for recyclables.

Kim Stengert, chief communications officer for WWF Singapore, said the group would like to see Singapore adopt measures like mandatory charges for plastic bags or requiring firms to either pay for or participate in the collection and recycling of plastics.

Singapore's senior minister of state for the environment and water resources, Amy Khor, said in March that unlike other countries with mandatory plastic bag charges, Singapore incinerates plastic waste before putting it in landfills.

"We do not face the land and water pollution issues that plague those countries," she said. She added that plastic bags were "necessary for responsible and hygienic bagging of waste" in Singapore's hot and humid climate.

Neighboring Malaysia has said it aims to introduce a nationwide ban on plastic bags within a year, while some local authorities in the Philippines already regulate their use.

"There is no rubbish piling up in the streets, so Singaporeans don't perceive a waste problem or feel personally responsible to reduce waste," said Sonny Ben Rosenthal, an academic who specializes in environmental issues at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University.

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disposal & recycling services (trbc level 5)

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In Singapore, where trash becomes ash, plastics are still a problem

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SINGAPORE (Reuters) - As countries around Southeast Asia struggle to cope with growing piles of plastic and other waste on land and in their waters, Singapore is one country in the region that appears to have things figured out. Singapore's streets are glistening clean, its parks and beaches mostly free from the trash that plagues neighboring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia.

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Semakau Landfill is located about 8km south of Singapore. A 7km perimeter rock bund encloses part of the sea off Pulau Semakau and Pulau Sakeng to create the space for the landfill. The bund is lined with impermeable membrane and a layer of marine clay, ensuring that leachate from the refuse is contained in the landfill. Ancillary facilities were built to ensure that the landfill operation is self-sustainable.

Visits to the Semakau Landfill or one of the waste-to-energy plants can be arranged by sending us a request.

The landfilling process at Semakau Landfill:

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Semakau Landfill is located about 8km south of Singapore. A 7km perimeter rock bund encloses part of the sea off Pulau Semakau and Pulau Sakeng to create the space for the landfill. The bund is lined with impermeable membrane and a layer of marine clay, ensuring that leachate from the refuse is contained in the landfill.

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REDUCING AND RECYCLING OUR WASTE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
We are producing an increasing amount of waste.

We have to cut down on the amount of waste we generate as we are running out of space to dispose of waste.

MINIMISING THE VOLUME OF WASTE DISPOSED
Singapore currently has only one active landfill. To conserve our limited landfill space, we incinerate as much waste as we can to reduce the volume going to the landfill. Through incineration, we can reduce the volume by as much as 90%.

Excess heat from Waste-to-Energy incineration plants provides about 2% of our electricity supply.

DISPOSE HAZARDOUS WASTE SAFELY
Many industries produce hazardous waste and generate by-products that pose health risks to both people and the environment.

Strict regulations are administered by NEA to ensure that such waste is properly managed.

Our Key Targets

1. Extend the lifespan of Semakau landfill.

2. Achieve 70% recycling rate by 2030.

Our Main Plans

Recycling

Space For Waste Will Run Out

Recycling is one way to minimise the amount of waste we create. Often, items are discarded without any thought to how they can be given a second life.

Singapore has only one landfill. Recycling is an important way of cutting down the amount of waste that goes into the landfill and reducing the cost of disposal.

The Challenge: Increasing Recycling Rate To 70% By 2030

We have had successes with certain waste streams, such as ferrous metals and construction and demolition materials, with near 100% recycling rates.

However, more can be done, particularly with increasing the recycling rates of our priority waste streams. Although awareness of recycling has improved among Singaporeans, the recycling rate remains low. The contamination of recyclables in collection bins adds further challenges. We will need everyone's collective efforts in order to achieve our recycling rate target.

Our Efforts

More than 80,000 blue recycling bins have been placed in HDB and landed estates across the island.Paper, plastic, glass and metal recyclables can be deposited into these bins. The mixed recyclables are collected by dedicated recycling trucks and sent to Materials Recovery Facilities for sorting. After sorting, the recyclable materials are sent to recycling facilities for further processing.

Since April 2018, all new non-landed private residential developments above four storeys are required to install dual chutes for refuse and recyclables. All condominiums have also been required to provide one recycling per block since August 2018.

We will continue to make recycling accessible to all residents.

Waste Collection

Waste Production Never Stops

In line with population and economic growth, the volume of waste produced has increased exponentially.

Without an efficient waste collection system in place, piles of rubbish would accumulate near homes and workplaces and create breeding grounds for pests and poses threats to public health.

The Challenge: Our Climate Cannot Tolerate Waste

Due to our hot and humid weather, organic waste rapidly decomposes and starts to smell unpleasant. On top of the discomfort, uncollected waste promotes the breeding of disease-carrying vectors, such as mosquitoes, in our environment.

To protect public health, waste generated has to be collected and disposed promptly and safely.

Our Efforts

Today, there are now 3 public waste collection companies operating in 6 sectors, serving households and trade premises. Rights to manage waste are competitively tendered by these companies.

In addition, there are more than 300 approved general waste collectors that serve commercial and industrial premises.

Incineration

The Challenge: Effective But Not A Sustainable Solution

Incineration Plants Cost Us Space And Money
Incineration converts waste to energy and reduces the volume of waste going to landfill. However, incineration plants are very expensive to build and operate. They also take up land space. We cannot keep building more incineration plants indefinitely.
Pollutants During Incineration
Pollutants, such as NOx, SO ₂, dioxins and particulate matter, are produced in the process of incineration and they affect our air quality.

Our Efforts: Improving Processes And Exploring New Uses

Tapping Private Sector Expertise
The Government increased private sector participation in the incineration industry. Singapore's fifth incineration plant was built and operated by a private company through a Design, Build, Own and Operate arrangement.
Treating Pollutants Before Release Into The Environment
All incinerators in Singapore have been fitted or built with pollution control equipment to protect our air quality. The flue gas produced during incineration is treated to remove most of the pollutants in order to meet safe environmental standards before being released into the air.
Reducing Waste
NEA has been encouraging people and industries to reduce their waste, reuse where possible and increase their rate of recycling.
Incinerating Less Than Before
The reduction of waste and increase in recycling will also help to delay the building of new incineration plants. Instead of building one every 5-7 years, we can build one every 8-10 years.
Ash May Be Recycled Instead Of Landfilled
After the success of developing the use of incinerated bottom ash (IBA) for road material, NEA is exploring other uses for treated ash so as to extend the lifespan of our sole remaining landfill, Semakau.

Landfill

Limited Space For Our Growing Amount Of Waste

As there is no available land for landfill on mainland Singapore, Semakau Landfill had to be created by enclosing 350 hectares of sea space between two offshore islands. Semakau Landfill opened on 1 April 1999 and is now the only one we have.

At current waste generation rates, Semakau Landfill will run out of space by around 2035.

The Challenge: Building Landfills Is Not A Sustainable Solution

Landfills require space. We have already used up large tracts of land on mainland Singapore, in various areas such as Choa Chu Kang, Lim Chu Kang and Lorong Halus.

The Semakau Landfill had to be constructed out of sea space due to our land constraints. It is difficult for Singapore to continually build landfills to handle our growing amount of waste. We need to look for more sustainable solutions to handle our waste.

Our Efforts: Minimising The Amount Of Waste That Goes To The Landfill

The Zero Waste Masterplan sets a new waste reduction target for Singapore - to reduce the waste sent to Semakau Landfill each day by 30 per cent by 2030. This will help extend Semakau Landfill's lifespan beyond 2035.
Reduce Volume Of Waste By Incineration
Incinerable waste is sent to our four incineration plants, and the ashes end up at Semakau landfill.

Incineration can reduce waste volume by over 90%!

The excess heat energy produced contributes to about 3% of our electricity supply.
Prolonged Lifespan of Semakau Landfill
Through recycling and other waste minimisation efforts, we are progressively lengthening the lifespan of our last landfill.

The Related Laws

1. RESOURCE SUSTAINABILITY ACT
The Act covers pregulatory measures targeting the three priority waste streams of food waste, e-waste and packaging waste, including plastics.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT ACT
The Act covers pollution control, hazardous substances control and licensing of industrial plant works among others.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT ACT
The Act covers pollution control, hazardous substances control and licensing of industrial plant works among others.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH ACT
The Act lists out regulations for public services such as general waste collection, swimming pools and food hygiene among others.

5. HAZARDOUS WASTE (CONTROL OF EXPORT, IMPORT AND TRANSIT) ACT
The Act regulates the movement of hazardous wastes among others.

6. RADIATION PROTECTION ACT
The Act controls the import and export of radioactive materials and other related apparatus as well as the disposal, accumulation and transport of radioactive.

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Our Clean Land Policy in a Nutshell REDUCING AND RECYCLING OUR WASTE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE We are producing an...

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Be part of Singapore's journey to become a Zero Waste Nation