Recycling Bins

The National Environment Agency removed recycling bins in neighbourhood estates. Reason given, according to Glenn and FD, was "they are a fire hazard".

I've seen these bins around for a long time in my old estate. Found at the void decks of HDB estates, they are big, bright (red / green / blue / yellow ) and beautiful (when new). When I came back to Singapore back in 97, I secretly applauded the government's recycling effort and thought the design of the bins were great!

Until I noticed that people were not using the bins correctly. Specific bins meant for paper / glass / plastics had other rubbish mixed in. Organic trash was also thrown into the bins which attracted strays to feed and rummage through the bins. Karang Guni went through the bins to collect the drink cans and often made a mess of the place.

Some users of the bins treated them like any other rubbish bins, not bothering to sort out the trash and often dump household organic trash into them.

As there were no notices on how often the recycling truck came and when, I could not be bothered to contribute the greening of Earth as I simply did not want to add to the problem of the bulging , smelly bins.

What went wrong?

Are Singaporean residents too ignorant on the use of recyling bins? Or cannot be bothered with being green?

I am inclined towards the former. Good intentions, in this case recycling and saving the planet, started by the NEA often do not gather enough public attention. Possibly for the lack of campaign funds or a successful marketing publicity.

Like any other 'movements' (think Speak English, Courtesy campaign) Singapore residents need to be educated on :

1. WHAT is this bin for - sort out the trash, only certain types of recyclable materials please

2. WHY is it there - why recycling is needed to save the planet, how individuals can help, and how this is linked to the rising price of commodities like rice

3. HOW do we use it - pack the recyclables properly, frequency of collection etc.

When you generate a successful campaign, awareness in the general population increases and there is peer pressure amongst the local groups that will self regulate the use of these bins.


Education is key. Action is reinforcement.

Teach the kids in school and let them action their learning in the environment. In this case, it's a case of pure academic theory of recycling and no possible action (for lack of bins or credibility of local authorities).

And make the impact hit where it hurts ( like on how their efforts can affect the rising cost of a plate of chicken rice )

Check out the UK site on recycling (http://www.recycling-guide.org.uk/) ( http://www.recyclenow.com ) and compare that with NEA's. (http://app.nea.gov.sg/) World of difference!

Back in 97, save for a small percentage of the population who are exposed to recycling efforts in other countries, how many local residents really know about the use of these bins?

My mum's great in recycling, she collects tonnes loads of plastic bags and glass jars. (for reasons I cannot fathom even today) When she's out of the house I'd clear the loot and bring them to these often dirty bins. When I saw the state of the bins, I had serious doubts about the commitment by agencies on their recycling efforts and often brought the loot back to my house again. At times I simply disposed them down the chute if I didn't have a chance to pass them to the karang guni. Disappointed greenie here.

The agencies must also work with town councils to maintain the cleanliness of the bins. Have you ever noticed that rubbish bins almost never ever get a proper wipe-down? If the bin is dirty, chances are you and I will avoid using the bin altogether. And people also start to doubt the credibility of the agency in charge of recycling efforts if the bins are not maintained, and collection is not prompt.

This begets the issue of educating and training the cleaners performing the task, their wages, foreign workers vs local employment bla bla bla. This is another can of worms. For another day.