Every condo block to have a recycling bin

SIAU MING EN Today Online 14 Oct 17;

SINGAPORE — To get more households to recycle that extra milk carton or plastic bag, all condominiums will be required to provide a recycling bin for every block from August next year.

More than half of the respondents in the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) customer satisfaction survey said they preferred to have a recycling bin at their block instead of only one common bin for the whole estate, the agency told TODAY.

“Over the years, NEA has received feedback from residents that they were not able to locate the recycling bins or that there were insufficient recycling bins within their estates,” a spokesperson said.

He added: “NEA is therefore making it a requirement for condominium managements to provide one recycling bin per block from 1 August 2018.”

In a similar move in 2011, the NEA required public waste collectors to provide a blue recycling bin at every Housing and Development Board block. Its full rollout took about three years.

Before that, five blocks shared a recycling bin. Since 2008, all condominiums and private high-rise apartments have been required to provide recycling receptacles — such as bins or bags — for paper, plastics, cans and glass.

With the new requirement, condo managements of some 3,000 developments here must submit a declaration of compliance to NEA, who will conduct follow-up inspections, the spokesperson said.

Domestic recycling rates inched up from 19 to 21 per cent between 2015 and last year but is still a far cry from the target of 30 per cent by 2030, as set out in the 2015 Sustainable Singapore Blueprint.

While the additional bins would encourage more residents to recycle, they may target those who are already keen, said Associate Professor Tong Yen Wah of the National University of Singapore’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.

“It’s a matter of convenience,” he said.

The bins could also get more people to start thinking about recycling, added Assoc Prof Tong.

Apart from providing the infrastructure, there should be more educational outreach on recycling, said Mr Eugene Tay, executive director of Zero Waste SG, a non-profit.

Domestic recycling rates have remained quite low despite the presence of a National Recycling Programme since 2001, he added.

But NEA said the household participation rate of the National Recycling Programme was more than 70 per cent last year.

In April last year, Senior Minister of State for Environment and Water Resources Amy Khor said about 30 to 50 per cent of materials thrown into the recycling bins were not suitable for recycling.

A study conducted by Assoc Prof Tong’s student found that recycling rates among some 1,000 residents significantly improved after outreach efforts by non-governmental organisations.

A resident of Kovana condominium who only wanted to be known as Ms Ling, 27, said she would recycle more often if there were bins at her block.

“There is no easy way to (recycle)… If there’s a blue bin where I can put my paper waste, then it’s much more convenient and I’ll definitely do it,” said the student.

Ms Ling prefers having a common recycling bin that would not require residents to sort their recyclables. “(Common recycling bins entail) just one extra step, but if I have to conscientiously sort them out every day, then it’ll be too (troublesome and involve more steps) and I won’t do it,” she said.

Others like engineer Angeline Lee, 24, who already recycles regularly, said more incentives, such as supermarket rebates, could encourage more people to pick up the habit.

Ms Lee began sorting her waste after studying in Norway two years ago. She now throws paper and plastic waste into their respective bins at her block in Jewel@Buangkok.

She avoids the common recycling chute provided at her condominium after once seeing it used for normal waste disposal, when the usual chute was full.

“That made me think, how exactly do they collect that (recyclable) waste?” she said.

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Malaysia: With production plummeting, cockles no longer cheap seafood indulgence

MAHAIZURA ABD MALIK New Straits Times 14 Oct 17;

KUALA LUMPUR: The cockle, once considered cheap seafood, is now labelled “rich people’s delicacy”, as its price has skyrocketed over the years.

Malaysian Fisheries Department Planning and Development Research Officer Dr Alias Man agrees that there has been a sharp increase in the price of cockle, which is due to declining production nationwide.

"Our study shows that water quality plays an important role in breeding cockles. If there is pollution, it will affect production, and cockles (are vulnerable to pollution and) will die quickly,” he said.

According to him, several management plans are being drafted and will be implemented in the near future to address the problem of polluted water.

"In addition to keeping cockle breeds for seeding purposes, we need a nationwide study on various aspects of production to identify why shellfish cannot be produced (in the amount they were) before.

"For me, this is likely related to genetic problems, where the seeds are no longer suitable for the present environment, and we need to look for or develop new breeds that have better durability for our environment," he said.

Dr Alias said that for the time being, breeders are advised to reduce the rate of seed distribution to minimise losses.

"Declining production leads to high demand from customers, which in turn leads to the cockle being sold expensively in the market," he said.

Meanwhile, a Harian Metro survey of markets, retail outlets and supermarkets around Sentul and Selayang found that few traders are selling cockles – and those that trade in cockles sell them at high prices.

There were a handful of traders selling grade C cockles at RM9 per kilogram (kg) to RM14/kg, while peeled cockles are sold at RM20 per kg to RM26.90 per kg.

At the Selayang Wholesale Market, the supply is quite easily available at RM3 for grade C, RM7 to RM8 (grade B) and RM10 to RM12 (grade A).

A dealer who declined to be named said that he deals with suppliers in Kuala Selangor, but in quantities smaller than ever before.

"Every day, we only take about 50kg. Sometimes, it is not sold, because the price is very expensive," he added.

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Malaysia: Survey finds number of Sunda clouded leopards dwindling in Sabah

KRISTY INUS New Straits Times 15 Oct 17;

KOTA KINABALU: A six-year camera-trap survey at eight protected areas in Sabah has led to a worrying discovery.

Based on a report compiled from the survey, researchers estimated there are around 750 Sunda clouded leopards in the State.

The study was recently published in the scientific journal Oryx, according to a joint press release from Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD), United Kingdom's WildCRU and Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC).

The study also found that changes to Sabah's forest landscape may be affecting the wild cats.

"Led by WildCRU researchers in collaboration with partners from SWD, DGFC , Universiti Malaysia Sabah and Panthera, the study provided first evidence that population density of this species is negatively affected by hunting pressure and forest fragmentation.

"We found poaching activity evidence in all forest areas with the lowest detection rates being in Danum and the highest in Kinabatangan," said WildCRU's Andrew Hearn, the first author of the paper.

DGFC director Dr Benoit Goossens said it is hoped the results of the study coupled with the action plan for Sunda clouded leopard currently drafted and scheduled to be launched early next year, will help manage the species in Sabah's forests.

"The fact that selectively logged forests provide an important resource for Sunda clouded leopards, suggests that appropriate management of these commercial forests could further enhance their conservation value.

"But the overriding priority for our wildlife managers is to reduce poaching pressure by reducing access to the forest interior along logging roads and by increasing enforcement patrols at strategic areas,” concluded Goossens.


Fewer than 800 Sunda clouded leopards in Sabah
The Star 16 Oct 17;

KOTA KINABALU: The Sunda clouded leopard is becoming the target of poachers, with a study by the Oxford University showing there are fewer than 800 animals left in Sabah.

The study by the Wildlife Con­ser­vation Research Unit (WildCRU) from Oxford University showed the number of these wild cats are dwindling.

WildCRU’s Dr Andrew Hearn said they had evidence that poaching activities and deforestation were affecting the population of these leopards.

“We found evidence of poaching activities with the lowest detection rates in Danum and the highest in Kinabatangan.

He said they conducted intensive camera-trap surveys at eight protected areas in Sabah and individual animals were identified based on the cloud-shaped markings on their coat and the morphology.

He said the study also showed that there were huge differences in the population, with more of these animals in areas with less forest activities.

The study was carried out in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Danau Girang Field Centre, Sabah Wildlife Department and Panthera, a conservation group.

Danau Girang Field Centre director Dr Benoit Goossens said the fact that selectively logged forests provided an important resource for the leopards suggested that appropriate management of these commercial forests could further enhance their conservation value.

“But the overriding priority for our wildlife managers is to reduce poaching pressure – by reducing access to the forest interior along logging roads and by increasing enforcement patrols at strategic areas,” he said.

He said he hopes that the results of the study – together with the action plan for the leopard that is currently being drafted and which should be launched by early next year – would help manage the species in Sabah.

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Attenborough urges action on plastic

David Attenborough says for the first time in the history of humanity, one species has the future of the world in the palm of its hands.
Francesca Gosling, Press Association news.com.au 15 Oct 17;

David Attenborough has urged the world to cut down on the use of plastic by "tomorrow" to curb the danger it poses to the world's oceans.

The much-loved TV nature expert told how filming the second Blue Planet series showed him the threat that plastic causes to the underwater environment.

His comments came as he attended a Q&A about the show ahead of its broadcast on the BBC later this month, 15 years after the original series.

Asked what concerned him the most about the crew's findings, the 91-year old said rising sea temperatures and plastic in the ocean.

"Now what we're going to do about 1.5 degrees rise in the temperature of the ocean over the next 10 years, I don't know, but we could actually do something about plastic right now. And I just wish we would," he said on Saturday.

"The albatross parent has been away for three weeks gathering stuff for her young and what comes out? What does she give her chick? You think it's going to be squid, but it's plastic. And the chick is going to starve and die.

"But we could do things about plastic internationally tomorrow. We have a responsibility. Every one of us."

"It is one world. And it's in our care. For the first time in the history of humanity, for the first time in 500 million years, one species has the future in the palm of its hands. I just hope he realises that that is the case."

The program was filmed all over the world, in locations such as Australia, South Africa, Egypt, Mexico, Japan and Norway.


Sir David Attenborough on the problem that concerns him the most
AHEAD of the release of his new series, Sir David Attenborough has revealed the environmental issue that concerns him most — and it’s not climate change.
News.com.au 15 Oct 17;

SIR DAVID Attenborough has urged the world to cut down on the use of plastic by “tomorrow” to curb the danger it poses to the world’s oceans.

The much-loved TV nature expert told how filming the second Blue Planet series showed him the threat that plastic causes to the underwater environment.

His comments came as he attended a Q & A about the show ahead of its broadcast on the BBC later this month, 15 years after the original series.

Asked what concerned him the most about the crew’s findings, the 91-year old said rising sea temperatures and plastic in the ocean.

“Now what we’re going to do about 1.5 degrees rise in the temperature of the ocean over the next 10 years, I don’t know, but we could actually do something about plastic right now. And I just wish we would,” he said on Saturday.

“The albatross parent has been away for three weeks gathering stuff for her young and what comes out? What does she give her chick? You think it’s going to be squid, but it’s plastic. And the chick is going to starve and die.

“But we could do things about plastic internationally tomorrow. We have a responsibility. Every one of us.”

“It is one world. And it’s in our care. For the first time in the history of humanity, for the first time in 500 million years, one species has the future in the palm of its hands. I just hope he realises that that is the case.”

The program was filmed all over the world, in locations such as Australia, South Africa, Egypt, Mexico, Japan and Norway.

David Attenborough urges action on plastics after filming Blue Planet II
Naturalist says experience making second series of BBC show revealed devastating threat posed to oceans by plastic
Graham Ruddick The Guardian 15 Oct 17;

Sir David Attenborough has called for the world to cut back on its use of plastic in order to protect oceans. His new BBC TV series, Blue Planet II, is to demonstrate the damage the material is causing to marine life.

Speaking at the launch of Blue Planet II, which will be broadcast 16 years after the original series, the broadcaster and naturalist said action on plastics should be taken immediately and that humanity held the future of the planet “in the palm of its hands”.

His comments come amid growing global calls for cutbacks in the use of plastic. Last week, the former boss of Asda, Andy Clarke, said supermarkets should stop using plastic packaging.

A Guardian investigation established that consumers around the world buy a million plastic bottles a minute. Plastic production is set to double in the next 20 years and quadruple by 2050. Around the world, more than 8m tonnes of plastic leaks into the oceans, and a recent study found that billions of people globally are drinking water contaminated by plastic.

Blue Planet II will include evidence that plastic has flowed into ocean waters thousands of miles from land, and will show albatrosses unwittingly feeding their chicks plastic.

The new series of Blue Planet has seven episodes and is expected to be a global hit for the BBC. The programme has already been sold to more than 30 countries and the first episode will air on BBC One on Sunday 29 October.

Attenborough said rising global temperatures and plastic were the biggest concerns for the ocean. “What we’re going to do about 1.5 degrees rise in the temperature of the ocean over the next 10 years, I don’t know, but we could actually do something about plastic right now,” he said.

“I just wish we would. There are so many sequences that every single one of us have been involved in – even in the most peripheral way – where we have seen tragedies happen because of the plastic in the ocean.

“We’ve seen albatrosses come back with their belly full of food for their young and nothing in it. The albatross parent has been away for three weeks gathering stuff for her young and what comes out? What does she give her chick? You think it’s going to be squid, but it’s plastic. The chick is going to starve and die.

“There are more examples of that. But we could do things about plastic internationally tomorrow.”

Attenborough, 91, did not specify what could be done, but cutting back on plastic packaging and plastic bags in supermarkets would be a major step.

He said everyone’s actions had an impact on the ocean. “We have a responsibility, every one of us,” he said. “We may think we live a long way from the oceans, but we don’t. What we actually do here, and in the middle of Asia and wherever, has a direct effect on the oceans – and what the oceans do then reflects back on us.”

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