Recycling: All that effort gone to waste

Straits Times Forum 9 Feb 09;

DESPITE the drive to go green and up household recycling efforts, the actions of the recycling service provider in my HDB estate in Upper Boon Keng seem to undermine the cause. Trying to find the recycle bins is like playing hide-and-seek as their locations are changed randomly to the void decks of different blocks.

On Jan 31, when I took down three bags of recyclables, the bins were not to be found anywhere. I walked through all 10-odd blocks trying to find one, and in the end, had to dump the bags in the dustbin as I had to leave for an appointment. This has happened more than five times in the past two years.

In the past couple of months, the bins were left in the open on a grass patch (see photo at right), leaving their contents open to the elements. Who is to say that mosquito breeding will not occur if water collects there?

I believe the town council or HDB pays SembEnviro to provide this service. Surely there should be some level of consistency. Locations of the bins should not be changed on a whim.

In fact, each household generates so much waste, there should be at least one bin per block, and collection should be daily. Then bins will not be stuffed to overflowing, which deters other residents from recycling as bins with bags and boxes stacked on top become an eyesore.

If bins have to be removed to be cleaned, stick to a regular schedule and inform residents of the dates.

Reuel Royston Wee

Recycling bins now back in original locations
Straits Times Forum 13 Feb 09;

I REFER to Monday's letter by Mr Reuel Royston Wee, 'Recycling: All that effort gone to waste'.

Our investigation showed that some of the six recycling bins in the Upper Boon Keng area where Mr Wee lives were moved from their original location. The service provider for the estate, SembWaste, has since moved them back to their original locations - that is, one each at Blocks 2C, 3A and 5 Lorong 1 Geylang, Block 20 Lorong 3 Geylang, and Blocks 13A and 39 Upper Boon Keng Road.

The recycling bins were designed with wheels for ease of collection. Unfortunately, this also means they could be moved easily. SembWaste will take measures to deter unauthorised removal of the bins in the future.

Regarding the possibility of mosquitoes breeding in the recycling bins, we assure Mr Wee that the recycling bins are designed with side openings to minimise entry of rain water. The bins are also designed with drainage holes at the bottom to drain out any water.

We thank Mr Wee for his feedback. The National Environment Agency will continue to work with SembWaste and other waste recyclers to improve the service. Mr Wee can contact us on 1800- 2255-632 should he encounter any recycling problems in future.

Ong Seng Eng
Director, Resource Conservation Department
National Environment Agency

Recycling bin woes: Same problem in Sengkang
Straits Times Forum 14 Feb 09;

I REFER to Monday's letter by Mr Reuel Royston Wee, headlined 'Recycling: All that effort gone to waste'.

Residents of Sengkang Estate face a similar problem. The recycling bin initially placed in the open space along the linkway between Block 203A and Block 203C was moved three times, and now it has been missing since Sunday.

I believe these bins are moved at the waste collector's convenience, with no consideration for residents. Perhaps it would be better to have permanent recycling depositories.

My neighbour and I have noted the eyesore created by the pile of bags and recyclables placed outside the bins after they overflowed.

Residents generate a great amount of recyclables and bins are filled within a day or two after they are emptied. On many occasions, water has accumulated in the bins due to open or missing lids.

An e-mail reply from the National Environment Agency dated July 9, 2008 mentioned that stagnant water will not collect in the bins because they have drainage holes. However, rain water still accumulates in the bins.

We have also noted that distribution of recycling bags has stopped and we now have to use our own trash bags for recyclables.

Joel Ong