Zero Waste Masterplan
Singapore's inaugural Zero Waste Masterplan outlines Singapore's key strategies to build a sustainable, resource-efficient, and climate resilient nation. In particular, it describes the plans and policies throughout the value chain that will help Singapore achieve the vision of a Zero Waste Nation. This includes interventions which would help close three key resources loops—food waste, electrical and electronic waste (e-waste), and packaging waste including plastics; policies to optimise infrastructure for maximum resource recovery; the transformation of the environmental services industry, technology adoption, and the partnerships with the community. Overall, the Zero Waste Masterplan demonstrates Singapore's commitment to adopting a circular economy approach to waste and resource management practices, and to shifting towards more sustainable production and consumption. These actions are in line with SDG 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 13 on Climate Action.
On sustainable production, we are working with existing and emerging industries with potential for adopting circular economy strategies and closing resource loops. One example is the energy and chemicals industry, where we are working with stakeholders to explore ways to close the plastics loop through chemical recycling. This will build up Singapore's capabilities to treat plastics locally. On sustainable consumption, we are focusing on strategies for outreach, education and enhancing Singaporeans' environmental and climate consciousness. This includes strengthening environmental education through the school curriculum, as well as expanding our youth engagement on sustainability issues. We are also looking at bringing sustainability into the community through ground-up projects and integrating sustainability infrastructure and programmes in our towns. Beyond sustainable production and consumption, we are also championing sustainable waste and resource management, where we will look at how regulations can facilitate closing our resource loops at the last stages of a product's lifecycle. For example, we will introduce the Deposit Refund Scheme as the first phase of our Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme for packaging waste, which will facilitate the aggregation of used beverage bottles for recycling.
