Maximise existing recycling system first

Clivebenss SG

I REFER to the commentary, "Recycling: Time to get our act together" by Grace Chua (last Tuesday).

Before considering her suggestions for households, I would suggest that the National Environment Agency (NEA) explore simple and cost-effective ways to maximise the use of our existing recycling infrastructure, which is often under-utilised or misused.

Here are two suggestions:

One, provide crystal-clear direction to households on the recycling programme. Are the households aware or clear about the National Recycling Programme (NRP). Specifically, why there is a need to have the programme; how it works; what items can be recycled; how the collection is done; how frequent is the collection, and where the recyclables end up?

Could we appoint volunteer recycling ambassadors or guides to help the residents? Could we increase the use of mass and social media to explain the programme and spread the message?

Two, make it easier for households to recycle by tweaking the existing recycling infrastructure. Could we make it easier for households to remember the recycling dates, identify what items can be recycled and find the nearest recycling bin?

Could we place a reminder on each rubbish bin and chute to remind residents to recycle? Could we provide data for comparing recycling performance for each estate or block?

Could we use social media and smartphone applications to remind residents of their recycling collection dates? Could we place better images of recyclables on the recycling bags or bins to show clearly what items are recyclable?

Eugene Tay

troublemaker2005 SG

I believe there can still be many improvements or awareness we can induce in the public or people who might be interested in recycling but do not know where to start. I see many recycling bins around the island, particularly within housing estates. But still people are treating ti like a rubbish dump, cost involve in isolating the types of recycled materials between metal tin, plastic andd papers. Some of the item category has the other type attached to it for example papers logos sticked onto plastic bottles. As a result recycling may be hampered or even ineffective for thet particular piece of waste. I think drectly transfering such recycled items to any one who wishes to recyle is good in terms of weight. Rag and bone man and collectors can also be educated on such details to maximize their profits when selling these items for recycling purposes.