The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) has designated 2024 as the Year of Public Hygiene, to galvanise all residents to reinforce good hygiene practices for our collective well-being. Maintaining high levels of public hygiene is the foundation of a Clean, Green, and Resilient shared Singapore.

We will spearhead the Year of Public Hygiene and reinforce high standards of public hygiene through various programmes and initiatives. This year, we will give added emphasis to the following:

• Tackling cleanliness hotspots
• Tackling unhygienic public toilets
• Enhancing vector control
• Enhancing industry capability and leveraging technology
• Rallying the community
• Applying limits on formaldehyde in interior paint

More info: www.nea.gov.sg/year-of-public-hygiene

The Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme (MELS) and Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) will be extended to household water heaters and commercial storage refrigerators from 1 April 2025.

Minimum energy standards will be developed, and an energy label with a 5-tick rating scale for commonly used household water heaters will be introduced.

We will also set minimum energy performance standards for commercial storage refrigerators, and introduce an energy label with a 5-tick rating scale to help businesses easily identify the efficient models. 

These labelling and minimum standards will enable consumers and businesses to choose more energy efficient models, save on energy bills, and contribute to Singapore’s decarbonisation efforts.

More info: Media Release

To enable households to be more efficient in their use of energy and water, NEA and PUB will enhance the Climate Friendly Households Programme.

From 15 April 2024, HDB households will receive $300 worth of Climate Vouchers. These vouchers can be used to purchase 10 types of energy- and water-efficient household products. 

By switching to more efficient appliances and fittings, households can reduce their energy and/or water consumption, lower their utility bills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and play their part in slowing down climate change.  

More info: Media Release

A new Zero Waste Manager course will be introduced to help companies build competencies in waste management, and integrate 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle - into organisational culture.

The course equips participants with the knowledge and skills to implement and monitor 3R efforts, integrate the 3Rs into the organisational culture, and fulfil regulatory requirements. Companies are encouraged to formalise waste reduction responsibilities, and appoint and train Zero Waste Managers to lead the waste management and reduction efforts on their premises.

The course will benefit companies by improving resource efficiency, lowering costs, and enhancing corporate social responsibility.  It will also benefit companies in the waste management sector looking to build up their competencies to provide value-added services, such as waste consultancy and audit services.

More info: Media Release

The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and the National Environment Agency will continue to introduce initiatives to enhance hawker centres, support hawkers, and sustain the hawker trade. 

The Government had previously announced plans to build 20 new hawker centres, prioritising new and existing heartland estates that are under-served in terms of affordable dining options.

As part of the plans, three new hawker centres will be opening in 2024:
- Anchorvale Village Hawker Centre
- Woodleigh Village Hawker Centre
- Punggol Coast Hawker Centre

Also in 2024, 18 centres will undergo R&R work to keep them in good physical condition for a pleasant dining experience.

More info: Media Factsheet