SINGAPORE : By 2007, all HDB estates in Singapore will have
centralised depositories for residents to recycle unwanted waste
daily.
Minister for Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim said
this extra recycling option would be located within five blocks
away from residents.
And they do not have to wait for the recycling pick-up every two
weeks.
Students from Dunman Secondary School have been playing their parts
to help increase Singapore's recycling rates.
They collected 20,000 plastic bottles for recycling. It is believed
to be the longest plastic bottle chain ever made.
Dr Yaacob said: "I definitely feel we should work with the younger
generation. I think they have a better orientation towards such
things.
"By having the projects in schools, hopefully they pick up the
habits, go back home and do something at home. The key is to
sustain the interest they develop in school, into their homes and
beyond."
The percentage of households recycling their waste has gone up from
15 percent in 2001 to 54 percent in 2004.
To make it easier and convenient for everyone to do their part,
about 1,600 centralised recycling bins will be set up in HDB
estates within the next two years.
As Dr Yaacob noted, the project by Dunman Secondary isn't so much
about setting a world record as it is raising awareness about
recycling.
Earlier, he told the students solid waste generation in Singapore
has gone up six times over the last 30 years, a practice he said
that's not sustainable in a country like Singapore.
Dr Yaacob said: "Although our four incineration plants convert
waste to energy, the remaining ash and other non-incinerable waste
still need to be brought to the offshore Semakau landfill.
"At that rate we would have to build a new incineration plant every
five to seven years and a landfill the size of Semakau 25 to 30
years."
The overall recycling rate in Singapore has increased from 40
percent in 2000 to 48 percent in 2004.
Dr Yaacob believes it will still take a continual effort to educate
all Singaporeans about recycling... with the aim of achieving an
overall recycling rate of 60 percent by 2012. - CNA/de