MPP Public Policy Workshop (Part B): Public Consultation Session 1 by GEB https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1 Propose one or two policies for what/how/who/when to regulate the use of plastic waste en-us 2021-03-18 01:33:33 UTC 2021-03-27 03:19:46 UTC hello@padlet.com Suggested prompts moe_gebr https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1323415727 Briefly describe the policy:
  1. the components of the policy option
  2. How the option addresses the issue identified
  3. The benefits/drawbacks of the option if implemented
  4. Ways to mitigate the negative impact
]]> 2021-03-18 01:38:14 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1323415727 Suggested prompts moe_gebr https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1323418761 Evaluate the policy using appropriate criteria. The assessment of the options should be rigourous:
  • able to identify benefits
  • able to identify drawbacks/trade offs
]]> 2021-03-18 01:39:26 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1323418761 Suggested prompts moe_gebr https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1323423972 State the parties involved in the implementation
  • How will the party/parties involved implement the policy?
  • What is the implementation timeline?
]]> 2021-03-18 01:41:17 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1323423972 Suggested prompts moe_gebr https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1323427240 If you have time to propose more than one policy, recommend which should be implemented and explain why it is a better policy.]]> 2021-03-18 01:42:29 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1323427240 Ministry of SE - Vision https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359260367 To achieve Singapore Zero Waste Masterplan vision:
  • build a sustainable, resource-efficient and climate-resilient nation
  • adopt a circular economy approach to waste and resource management practices 
  • shift towards more sustainable production and consumption
]]> 2021-03-27 01:35:55 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359260367 MSE - Possible concerns of stakeholders https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359260693 1. Is it possible to make all plastic packaging recyclable, when there are different needs for the packaging of each product? For example the thin plastic wrapping for a lot of meat and vegetables is single use

2. Why hasn't Singapore not implemented a nation-wide law that deincentivises plastic bag usage, when other countries have done this several years ago?

3. Is “zero” waste actually achievable? Plastic waste can be reduced, but can it be eliminated?

4. Which plastics can be recycled and how does that match with the plastics that are currently being recycled? How much of the plastic waste is due to ignorance/ contamination?

5. To what degree can plastic use be streamlined (use of recyclable plastics after non-reusable ones) in current industrial process?
What margins can the economy work with (how much resources can be devoted to this problem)? ]]> 2021-03-27 01:36:15 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359260693 NEA https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359262226
  • Lack of concern for long term impacts  (doesn't affect them now so it doesn't matter)
  • People tend not to look at long term consequences 
  • Ageing Population - Conventional Culture. 
  • People are unwilling to take the effort to recycle - convenience. 
  • People are unaware of the large extent of plastic used in Singapore

    • ]]>     2021-03-27 01:37:51 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359262226     MSE - Focus https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359262253 Reduce Plastic Usage
    Increase Recycling of Plastics
    Use of bio-degradeable/ new materials as subsitute
     ]]>     2021-03-27 01:37:53 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359262253     MSE - Jodie https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359262413 -In the f+b industry, large amounts of plastic are being wasted in the forms of plastic utensils, plastic containers, plastic bags and plastic packaging. Policies must be implemented to regulate the volume of plastic that is used and disposed of daily in this industry.]]> 2021-03-27 01:38:02 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359262413 Business owners and retailers https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359263290 Summary:
    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.
    ]]>     2021-03-27 01:38:59 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359263290     NEA https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359264023 1. Make recycling more convenient
    • Collection dates? (unfeasible due to high manpower)
    • Incentives (for every certain amt of waste recycled, give incentive, might be difficult due to high manpower needed, eg. 3r rewarding system to ensure compliance towards recycling (for private sector) through recognising business sectors who have contributed significantly to reducing waste eg. having a solid waste policy, have they used the 3Rs. eg. vouchers ) better option as make recycling easier doesn't solve the root cause in the long run. 
    2. More recycling bins placed ard neighbourhood


    ]]>     2021-03-27 01:39:42 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359264023     MSE- Jodie https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359265232 -Profit is the main concern for business owners and retailers, more so than the environment. Alternative options should overall be cheaper for retailers so that they would support the new policies. If alternative options can instead increase their business, then that would be possible as well.
    -A possible measure that could be implemented, in that case, would be to disallow businesses from providing plastic bags and plastic containers to consumers. This is actually beneficial to companies, as they spend less on purchasing plastics. Charging consumers more for plastic bags is also a possibility- it not only decreases the amount of plastics businesses must purchase, but increases their profit margin if people choose to pay for plastics.]]>     2021-03-27 01:40:55 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359265232     NEA https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359266176
  • Lack of awareness
  • Lack of cooperation (unwilling to give up advantages of plastic eg. convenience)
  • Limitations of resources (recycling)
  • Over Reliance on plastic products that is difficult for people to forgo (convenience, also unaware of the problems only 1 plastic bag causes.Will require a large scale change people are not comfortable with

) (culture)
  • Culture (Singaporeans culture, do not care)
  • Lack of incentives to reduce plastic usage
  • Lack of concern ( people feel like its not their job to reduce plastic waste)
  • Bystander effect (feel that other people will reduce plastic waste and they don't need to play their part)
  • Lack of cheap alternatives, inability to avoid plastics.

    • ]]>     2021-03-27 01:41:57 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359266176     Plastic manufacturers https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359276957 1) work with consumers in a responsible manner such that total waste reduces (manufacturer - consumer relationship)
    2) mandate so that we can maintain our profits as well as keep our employees (livelihoods and income)
    3) logo to show consumers whether the plastic. product can be recycled -> increase awareness, consumers cannot claim they did not know this plastic is recyclable (ignorance of the law excuses no one)
    ]]>     2021-03-27 01:53:55 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359276957     Plastic manufacturers https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359282814 - Regulations that unfairly disadvantage us (we are an industry after all)
    - Employees' jobs at stake
    - More eco-friendly solutions may greatly reduce our profits
    - Training, equipment and manufacturing changes for more eco-friendly materials will cost a huge sum of money that we may not be able to fork out
    - We are blamed for being the villains, which is unfair because everyone has a part to play in this waste management issue]]>     2021-03-27 01:58:06 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359282814     NGOs https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359289612 - would consumers willingly pay higher price in the name of being environmentally friendly?
    - how would businesses be affected by plastic waste reduction?
    - how can NGOs improve in their outreach and education methods such that consumers will be more willing to change their lifestyle habits 
    - How far are consumers willing to sacrifice their "one-time plastic lifestyle" in favour of zero-waste? Are they willing to bring their own straws etc, and will these programmes even make an impact?
    - Are consumers willing to start using reusable plastic bags when going to buy groceries or will they continue just using plastic grocery bags just because it is 'convenient' for them
    - will plastic manufacturers be willing to cut profits or change what you produce to help the environment?]]>     2021-03-27 02:05:20 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359289612     MSE - Jodie https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359290829 Rather than making it costly for plastic manufacturers to continue their old ways, we are taking more of an approach that the government work together with these manufacturers, to work towards more sustainable alternatives. Subsidized or tax reduction be provided.]]> 2021-03-27 02:06:34 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359290829 NGOs https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359292862 - make use of new technologies to make recycling more possible and more environmentally friendly
    - make it more convenient for people to recycle to enhance the rates of recycling
    - spread awareness of how plastic impacts us as well as the environment, marine and land life
    - tackle the problem of contamination of recyclables 
    - create a circular economy
    - reduce use of single use plastics

    ]]>     2021-03-27 02:08:56 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359292862     MSE - Jodie https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359298064 There is a huge amount of responsibility on the part of consumers, not just manufacturers and the business owners. They can provide the alternatives and means of recycling but consumers must still do their part. They must understand that it is their responsibility and take actions

    ]]>     2021-03-27 02:14:23 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359298064     https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359302344 Singaporeans are more self centered, perhaps? The habits of recycling have yet to be established in our society, despite it being so commonplace in other countries like Japan. 
    The current campaigns may not be working because they are taking the wrong perspective. What can we learn from other countries that are successful in the recycling efforts?
    How can we encourage youths to recycle more?]]>     2021-03-27 02:19:02 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359302344     Briefly describe the policy:1. The components of the policy option2. How the option addresses the issue identified3. The benefits/drawbacks of the option if implemented4. Ways to mitigate the negative impact https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359302404 2021-03-27 02:19:06 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359302404 MSE - Jodie https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359314266 -Greater tax on plastics. Buying plastic bottles, plastic packaged food is more expensive for consumers. The tax is given towards the government to fund recycling efforts. Plastic tax on specifically food packaging, or products that contribute to only convenience, non-essential.
    -ban on certain types of plastic products (that can easily be rid of for other alternatives, like recyclable plastics instead of one-time use)
    -tax rebates (positive incentive) for companies and retailers to switch over to sustainable methods. 
    -financial aid for plastic manufacturers as their profit margins are decreased and resources be poured into research
    -government will invest to aid retailers in finding ways to recycle materials.]]>     2021-03-27 02:32:38 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359314266     https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359328676 -education is the first step in creating good habits, community habits, societal pressure. However, it is a long term process and takes a large amount of time. Other measures must be implemented to ensure immediate improvements
    -regulations (fines) on businesses with undesirable disposing methods of plastics. Heavy fines if businesses dispose of plastics in the most convenient or cheap method rather than recycling.]]>     2021-03-27 02:48:21 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359328676     MSE https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359343004 1. Fines on plastic bags and other single-use plastics
    2. More education with the power of the law
    3. Implementation of more recycling outlets to increase convenience
    4. Gradual ban on certain plastics
    5. Subsidies for businesses who are forced to use certain plastics to manufacture products]]>     2021-03-27 03:05:17 UTC https://padlet.com/moegebr/mppppwpc1/wish/1359343004