3R Fund

About the Fund

The 3R Fund is a co-funding scheme to encourage organisations to reduce waste disposed of at NEA's incineration plants and disposal facilities through the implementation of waste minimisation and recycling projects.

Applicant eligibility
Project eligibility
Form of assistance
Project duration
Disbursement of grants
Application procedure

Application period

3R Fund applications can be submitted at any time of the year. Please refer to the section on Application Procedure at the bottom of this page for the mode of submission.

Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to the availability of funds.

Any organisation in Singapore, including companies, non-profit organisations, non-government organisations, town councils, schools, institutions and managing bodies such as MCSTs, can apply for the 3R Fund. 

Projects must result in an increase in the quantity of solid waste (this excludes toxic and chemical wastes) recycled or a reduction in the quantity of solid waste generated. The minimum tonnage eligibility is 100 tonnes reduced, reused or recycled over the whole project duration.

Projects must not have commenced at the time of application (i.e. issuing of purchase orders for equipment, conducting collection and recycling of recyclables, etc. (whichever is earliest))

Projects with new and innovative processes and concepts, and which target waste streams with low recycling rates such as food, plastic and glass will be given higher priority. The projects could include the following:

(i) Redesign of processes to reduce waste at the production stage, including redesign of packaging or products;
(ii) Installation of new waste recycling infrastructure such as separate chutes, containers or receptacles for the collection of recyclables, as well as refurbishment work to provide additional storage space for recyclables;
(iii) Installation of innovative waste sorting or recycling systems/equipment; and/or
(iv) Upgrading, installation or implementation of new operation/system to reduce waste or increase recycling.

The 3R Fund has ceased support for all on-site food waste treatment systems projects for premises that are under the ambit of the RSA.

Grant quantum

The 3R Fund will co-fund up to 80 per cent of qualifying costs, subject to a cap of $1 million per project or per applicant. The funding level will depend on the quantity and type of waste reduced or recycled. The grant will be calculated based on key outcomes such as the actual quantity of waste reduced or recycled.

For organisations applying for multiple onsite waste treatment systems within the same premises or in different premises, the qualifying costs of the system will be tiered accordingly as below:
2nd system – 70% of Project Qualifying Costs
3rd system – 60% of Project Qualifying Costs
4th system or more – 50% of Project Qualifying Costs

As of Nov 2015, the grant quantum for projects using similar off-the-shelf technologies (e.g. food waste treatment projects involving the use of on-site systems to convert food waste into non-potable water) has been revised to be up to 40 per cent of the qualifying costs.

Packaging Partnership Programme (PPP) members are eligible for up to double the funding compared to non-members. (For more information about the PPP and how to join, please visit http://www.packaging-partnership.org.sg/PPP-membership-application-form )

Qualifying costs

Qualifying costs refer to the following:

(i) Manpower
(ii) Equipment, materials and consumables
(iii) Professional services (e.g. consulting, sub-contracting)
(iv) Other costs relevant to the project

Please note that Singapore GST is excluded.

The maximum project duration is 3.5 years. Within the 3.5 years, the maximum durations of the preparatory and operations phases are half a year and three years respectively. In addition, the minimum duration of the operations phase is one year. 

Disbursements will be on reimbursement basis and in three instalments:

(i) On completion of installation and commissioning of equipment or system and after two months of successful operation – Up to 50 per cent of Approved Grant.
(ii) After six months of successful operation – Up to 80 per cent (cumulative) of Approved Grant.
(iii) Upon completion of project and submission of final report – Final Payment.

Note:
(i) Final disbursement request must be submitted within six months of project completion.
(ii) The maximum project period is 3.5 years from date of the Letter of Acceptance.
(iii) In the event that the actual waste quantity recycled/reduced is lower than that submitted in the project application, the Grant may be reduced accordingly.
(iv) All disbursement requests must be certified by an external Certified Public Accountant appointed by the Company. All costs incurred for engaging the Certified Public Accountant shall be borne by the Company.
(v) The disbursement of the Grant will be based on the actual quantity of waste reduced / recycled and the actual Qualifying Cost.

Interested parties are strongly encouraged to prepare a short write-up about the project and email to the 3R Fund Secretariat at WM_Fund@nea.gov.sg. The Pre-Assessment Form and Declaration Form will be given to the applicant upon verification of the project eligibility.

Upon submission of the Pre-Assessment Form, pre-signed Declaration Form and all necessary supporting documents, the 3R Fund Secretariat will formally acknowledge the application after verifying all documents submitted are in order.

All information submitted will be held in the strictest confidence.
All applications are subject to NEA's approval.

For queries on the 3R Fund, you may contact the 3R Fund Secretariat at WM_Fund@nea.gov.sg