3: RECYCLING IN SINGAPORE THE SINGAPORE MODEL: STRATEGIES AND WAYS TO IMPROVE
The position stated is at 31 December 2010.
Singapore's output of solid waste has increased six-fold over the past 30 years. Such an increase could be due to rising affluence and increasing availability and affordability of products, resulting in Singaporeans buying and disposing of more waste.
As land constraint has always been a key consideration, Singapore can only depend on ‘land-saving’ waste disposal methods. Another key factor is Singapore's hot and humid climate. This means that waste decomposes rapidly, making it conducive to the breeding of disease-carrying vectors.
This chapter examines the problem of ‘waste explosion’ in Singapore and discusses ways to control/reduce waste generation in Singapore given its limited land and other resources.
