Per capita and per GDP waste generated decreased in past decade
The daily domestic waste generated per capita decreased from 1.08 kg in 2013 to 0.88 kg in 2023.
Fig. 1. A chart on the daily domestic waste generated per capita from 2013 to 2023.
The daily non-domestic waste generated per dollar GDP decreased from 40 tonnes in 2013 to 26 tonnes in 2023.
Fig. 2. A chart on the daily non-domestic waste generated per dollar GDP from 2013 to 2023.
Recycling rate declined due to structural factors
There was a decline in the overall recycling rate over the past decade, especially for paper and cardboard. Paper recycling dropped from over 50 per cent a decade ago to 31 per cent in 2023. This is largely due to structural factors such as freight costs and commodity prices.
The overall recycling rate decreased from 57 per cent in 2022 to 52 per cent in 2023, largely due to the amount of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, which is almost completely recycled, dropping significantly last year. Excluding C&D waste, the overall recycling rate in 2023 was 45 per cent, which is comparable to 2022’s rate at 46 per cent.
Fig. 3. A chart on the total waste generated from 2013 to 2023.
Fig. 4. A chart on the overall recycling rate from 2013 to 2023.
Redoubling efforts to improve recycling and resource recovery
NEA promotes the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) in working towards the goal of a Zero Waste Nation. As part of the Singapore Green Plan and Zero Waste Masterplan, we developed a suite of initiatives to shift attitudes and behaviours to make the 3Rs the norm for citizens and businesses. NEA also continues to study and develop new ways to close the various resource loops. This includes exploring the use of mixed materials from Semakau Landfill, which comprise incineration ashes and other waste materials, as reclamation fill.
Household recycling participation has been on an uptrend. According to NEA’s 2023 survey on household recycling [3], 72 per cent of households recycle compared to 64 per cent in 2021. In addition, a higher proportion of survey respondents are aware of common items that can be deposited into the recycling bins and chutes. NEA recognises that individual efforts to conserve our resources are vital, and encourages households to not just recycle more, but also to recycle right.
There is a greater urgency for each of us to build a sustainability culture where we reduce, reuse, and recycle. By reducing waste and recycling right, we can do our part to combat climate change and ensure that Singapore remains clean, green, and liveable.
[1] Domestic waste is waste collected from households and trade premises (e.g., shophouses, educational institutions, petrol stations, hawker centres and places of worship).
[2] Non-domestic waste is waste generated at industrial and commercial premises.
[3] https://www.nea.gov.sg/media/news/news/index/72-per-cent-of-households-recycle-in-2023
ANNEX A
2013 to 2023 Overall Waste and Recycling Statistics
(with and without Construction and Demolition waste)
The overall recycling rate decreased from 57 per cent in 2022 to 52 per cent in 2023 largely due to the amount of Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste, which is almost completely recycled, dropping significantly last year. Excluding C&D waste, the overall recycling rate in 2023 was 45 per cent, which is comparable to 2022’s rate at 46 per cent.
C&D waste decreased by more than 40 per cent in 2023, compared to 2022, because there were fewer demolition projects. Such waste is a key industrial waste stream that is generated in large amounts. Hence, sharp Year-on-Year swings in the amount of such waste would result in huge fluctuations to the non-domestic and overall recycling rates. Excluding such waste, the overall recycling rate declined from 51 per cent to 45 per cent over the last decade.