Straits Times 17 Jun 09;
I AM writing in response to the article, "What Rubbish" published on Monday.
I was shocked to read that styrofoam and plastic containers were listed as unacceptable for recycling. Considering the number of Singaporeans choosing takeaway food every day, the amount of waste generated that is not recyclable must be mind-boggling.
Just think about our food and how it's served.
A McDonald's breakfast is served in styrofoam plates and cups; should you choose to take away, it is put in plastic bags. Takeaways at foodcourts and hawker centres come in plastic containers. (One seldom sees the brown paper wrapper nowadays.) Bakeries like BreadTalk pack individual items in plastic bags and put the lot in larger bags. Even takeaway sushi comes in individually wrapped pieces, and grouped in plastic containers.
It is unfortunate that waste collectors are unable to accept all of these. In the end, these non-biodegradable materials remain in our landfills for generations. Pulau Semakau is Singapore's only landfill and its lifespan is expected to last only until about 2045.
Aside from educating the public to reduce, reuse and recycle, I suggest that the Government take more drastic steps to reduce the amount of plastic and styrofoam used, or at least encourage the use of biodegradable materials. We can learn from Taiwan, which has banned plastic takeaway containers, and Ireland and China, which have banned free plastic shopping bags.
Plastic bags are tough and durable, so impose an expensive premium if shoppers really need one. For takeaway food, get vendors to use paper containers instead. Shops should be discouraged from selling plastic containers in the first place.
Seah Nida (Mdm)
