Straits Times Forum 2 May 11;
WE THANK Mr Andrew Wee for his feedback ('Singapore's not as green as it should be'; last Monday).
Many households in Singapore continue to use plastic bags as they are a convenient means of packaging and waste disposal. However, excessive or improper use can lead to a waste of resources and/or contribute towards litter. Unlike in many other countries, discarded plastic bags in Singapore are not disposed of at landfills, but sent to our waste-to-energy incineration plants.
Notwithstanding, the National Environment Agency (NEA) encourages the community to conserve resources and cut waste using the 3Rs approach - reduce, reuse and recycle - through its various outreach activities at the national and community levels.
To reduce the usage of plastic bags, NEA also supports industry initiatives such as that of Ikea, which charges shoppers for plastic bags, and NTUC FairPrice, which gives rebates to shoppers who bring their own shopping bags. NEA also works closely with the Singapore Environment Council, the community development councils, and major retailers such as Giant, Cold Storage, Guardian and 7-Eleven to educate the public to use plastic bags only when necessary or to bring their own bags for shopping.
Ong Seng Eng
Director, Waste & Resource Management Department
National Environment Agency
Singapore's not as green as it should be
Straits Times Forum 25 Apr 11;
WHILE visiting Singapore, I was disturbed to see plastic bags being used indiscriminately and with abandon at several retail outlets. Besides supermarkets, bakeries are among the worst culprits. A popular local bread franchise dispenses a plastic bag for each piece of pastry or bread. Even fast-food restaurants serve their food in containers that appear to be non-biodegradable. The multiplier effect of the unconscionable practice of using plastic or its similar derivatives is unthinkable.
Singapore prides itself on being a green city, and its young are educated in schools to respect the environment. Through several public education programmes, the Government also seeks to enhance its environmental friendliness.
It is unfortunate that local retail establishments have yet to adopt environmentally friendly practices. Such practices could be as simple as using thin paper bags for each piece of bread, or a recycled paper bag for the outer carrier. Supermarkets could offer sturdy recycled paper bags for free, and charge for each plastic bag requested by the customer. I have found this policy to be very effective overseas in controlling end-consumer plastic waste.
I look forward to hearing about the plans and ways in which the Government and local retail franchises aim to promote the greening of Singapore.
Andrew Wee
