Insights and Stories

Global Recycling Day, observed annually on 18 March, serves as a reminder of the critical role recycling plays in protecting the environment. It is a day dedicated to fostering awareness and inspiring action of recycling and how it plays a part in preserving our resources.

By enhancing the circularity of materials, recycling minimises the volume of waste destined for landfills, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving natural resources. While we have observed a notable 25% increase in recyclables collected year-on-year, there is still a lot that can be done on the recycling front.

In addition to being aware of the importance of recycling, knowing the right things to recycle can go a long way for pickers whose jobs are to sort through and sieve out recyclables from the items collected from the blue bins.

At SembWaste, we drive initiatives such as the SembEnviro School Recycling League to engage with children and youth, empowering them with the knowledge and tools to champion recycling efforts within the school community. Last year alone, about 300 schools participated, collectively collecting more than 11,000kg of plastics. By expanding our focus to include metals, paper, and e-waste, we aim to further amplify our impact and instill lasting habits of environmental stewardship.

Bringing recycling to the heartlands, SembWaste’s Ezi Recycling app helps residents take the first step in playing their part towards a sustainable future. From doorstep collection to dropping off the recyclables at any of the Ezi Cash-for-Trash stations islandwide, the initiative aims to encourage wider adoption of recycling practices amongst households.

Through innovative approaches, SembWaste supports businesses on holistic solutions that address diverse environmental challenges. In collaboration with Singapore Polytechnic, we launched Rebottle, an innovative polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle recycling initiative aimed at boosting recycling rates. By aligning our initiatives with the principles of resource efficiency, we not only reduce waste but also foster a culture of sustainability within our communities.

Effective recycling necessitates a paradigm shift in how businesses approach resource management. For instance, at our Energy-from-Waste plant, we prioritise water conservation by repurposing used water to cool the ash generated from waste incineration. The used water is treated at the plant before being reused. Through this approach, we successfully divert approximately 9,000 cubic meters of wastewater annually for reuse, equivalent to four Olympic-sized swimming pools.