Why use 3rs?
Without using the 3Rs, our world would be a land filled with garbage. Everywhere would be very unhygienic and one wouldn't want to live in that unfavourable condition. Using the 3Rs is an excellent way of saving energy and conserving the environment.
Our Earth is fragile. It provides us with the necessary materials to support life but we are using them faster than they can be replaced. We need to realise that Earth is fragile. It is our only home and canont be damaged. Hence, we must take care of it and not take it for granted. In order for the Earth to continue to support life, we should learn to use the Earth's materials wisely and reduce waste.
Our Earth is fragile. It provides us with the necessary materials to support life but we are using them faster than they can be replaced. We need to realise that Earth is fragile. It is our only home and canont be damaged. Hence, we must take care of it and not take it for granted. In order for the Earth to continue to support life, we should learn to use the Earth's materials wisely and reduce waste.
Some of the situations Taken in SIngapore nowadays...
Did You know?
Up to 60% of the rubbish that ends up in the dustbin could be recycled.
The unreleased energy contained in the average dustbin each year could power a television for 5,000 hours.
The largest lake in the Britain could be filled with rubbish from the UK in 8 months.
As much as 50% of waste in the average dustbin could be composted (broken down).
1 recycled tin can would save enough energy to power a television for 3 hours.
1 recycled glass bottle would save enough energy to power a computer for 25 minutes.
1 recycled plastic bottle would save enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for 3 hours.
The unreleased energy contained in the average dustbin each year could power a television for 5,000 hours.
The largest lake in the Britain could be filled with rubbish from the UK in 8 months.
As much as 50% of waste in the average dustbin could be composted (broken down).
1 recycled tin can would save enough energy to power a television for 3 hours.
1 recycled glass bottle would save enough energy to power a computer for 25 minutes.
1 recycled plastic bottle would save enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for 3 hours.
How much waste are you throwing away?
Over the past 30 years, the amount of waste that we throw away for disposal in Singapore has increased from 0.438 million tonnes in 1970 to 2.63 million tonnes today, enough to fill about 310 soccer fields to an average mans height of 1.7m!
hmm...then where does your waste end up?
The truth: More than 90% of the waste ends up being incinerated and less than 10% ends up in the landfill at Semakau! If this rate of waste generation continues, Singapore will need to build one new incineration plant every 10-15 years and one new landfill the size of Sentosa every 35-45 years! This is not sustainable!
The Recycling Process
What NEA says...
1. What programmes have been implemented to encourage recycling? Are they still ongoing?
In April 2001, NEA launched the National Recycling Programme (NRP) to provide a convenient mean for households in HDB estates and landed properties to recycle their waste. In this programme, authorised Public Waste Collectors (PWCs) carry out recyclables collection in designated sectors comprising HDB flats and landed properties. The PWCs provide recycling bags/bins to residents and collection is carried out fortnightly/weekly. To complement this, Centralised Recycling Depositories (CRDs) are provided in HDB estates for residents to deposit their recyclables.
We also have the Schools Recycling Corner Programme which was introduced to schools in 2002. You can obtain more information on other recycling programmes at http://app2.nea.gov.sg/topics_recyclingprog.aspx.
2. Do the citizens take part actively in it? What was the outcome?
Yes, people do take part in the programmes. For example, 100% of schools are in the Recycling Corner Programme currently.
Our recycling rate is targeted to reach 60% under the Singapore Green Plan 2012 (http://app.mewr.gov.sg/data/ImgCont/1342/sgp2012.pdf). In 2010, our recycling rate has reached 58%.
3. What is the current statistic of waste recycled in 2010?
As above. You can refer to recycling rates of different waste streams at http://app2.nea.gov.sg/topics_wastestats.aspx.
4. How will recycling benefit us?
In Singapore, waste is disposed of at incineration plants and Semakau Landfill. We have limited land to build more incineration plants and landfills. Incineration plants and landfills are very costly to build. Recycling reduces the waste disposed of and helps save land, which can then be used for other purposes. It also helps us to extend the lifespan of our only landfill.
5. How much money is saved if we recycle the rubbish we collect and reuse materials, rather than producing them?
In April 2001, NEA launched the National Recycling Programme (NRP) to provide a convenient mean for households in HDB estates and landed properties to recycle their waste. In this programme, authorised Public Waste Collectors (PWCs) carry out recyclables collection in designated sectors comprising HDB flats and landed properties. The PWCs provide recycling bags/bins to residents and collection is carried out fortnightly/weekly. To complement this, Centralised Recycling Depositories (CRDs) are provided in HDB estates for residents to deposit their recyclables.
We also have the Schools Recycling Corner Programme which was introduced to schools in 2002. You can obtain more information on other recycling programmes at http://app2.nea.gov.sg/topics_recyclingprog.aspx.
2. Do the citizens take part actively in it? What was the outcome?
Yes, people do take part in the programmes. For example, 100% of schools are in the Recycling Corner Programme currently.
Our recycling rate is targeted to reach 60% under the Singapore Green Plan 2012 (http://app.mewr.gov.sg/data/ImgCont/1342/sgp2012.pdf). In 2010, our recycling rate has reached 58%.
3. What is the current statistic of waste recycled in 2010?
As above. You can refer to recycling rates of different waste streams at http://app2.nea.gov.sg/topics_wastestats.aspx.
4. How will recycling benefit us?
In Singapore, waste is disposed of at incineration plants and Semakau Landfill. We have limited land to build more incineration plants and landfills. Incineration plants and landfills are very costly to build. Recycling reduces the waste disposed of and helps save land, which can then be used for other purposes. It also helps us to extend the lifespan of our only landfill.
5. How much money is saved if we recycle the rubbish we collect and reuse materials, rather than producing them?
