Sim Rui Yi Rachel (10S7B)
Task 2: Alternatives
Project Work 2010: Preliminary Ideas (Draft)
Problem Statement:
Singapore faces a problem of low recycling rate for food waste. This is a waste of resources
and would also pose a problem to Singapore, which has limited space to dispose huge
volumes of food waste. This project will focus on how to actively involve households in the
recycling of domestic food waste.
Reasons For Choice:
In 2008, 12% of 568,000 tonnes of food waste produced in Singapore was recycled1and it
further decreased to only 9% in 20092. Food waste can be used as animal feed or to
generate electricity. Used household oil can be recycled as biodiesel fuel. With the
expectation that Semakau landfill will be full by 20403, incineration will be unsustainable in
the long run. Hence, we need to find ways to recycle food waste, which makes up 10% of
the waste in Singapore.
Case Study:
Issue of water supply in Singapore not being able to meet the country’s demand
Original approaches


Buying of water from Malaysia
Water from local catchments
Alternative approaches used to address the issue
Approach
Desalination
NEWater
Advantages
Disadvantages
 Unlimited seawater as a  Very costly to build and
water source
maintain plants
 Recycled wastewater as a  People
are
hesitant
water source
about the quality of the
water
Proposal:
1
National Environmental Agency. (2008, May 08). Waste statistics and overall recycling. Retrieved from
http://app2.nea.gov.sg/topics_wastestats.aspx
2
Wong, M. (2009, January 04). Recycling food waste set to become more popular with growing awareness.
Retrieved from http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/400172/1/.html
3
Gillian, M. (2008, May 21). Trash and burn: Singapore’s waste problem. Retrieved from
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSP9046620080522
Page 1 of 5
I propose adapting learning points from the approach used to address the issue of water
supply in Singapore. Singapore used to heavily rely on imported water from Malaysia as
water from local catchments were not enough and desalinating water was too costly. From
2000-2002, extensive study was carried out on an alternative water supply, NEWater. Today,
there are 5 NEWater plants, and NEWater is expected to meet 30% of Singapore's water
needs by 20104. Singapore has been able to effectively make use of technology and reduce
the dependence she has on Malaysia for water. This allows for the sustainable growth of
Singapore as NEWater is a reliable water source from recycled waste water.
Seeing how much value that recycling waste water can bring, we should also effectively
make use of technology and promote the recycling of food waste. In this way, we promote
sustainable growth, with the effective use of our resources.
Recycling Food
Waste
Additional chutes
for food waste
Use of technology
Cooperation with
convenience stores
Promoting the recycling of food waste can be done in 3 ways.
1. Additional chutes can be added at HDB blocks to facilitate the separation of food
waste from other household waste for disposal.
2. Convenience stores are located at strategic locations across the islands, and hence
can function as collection points for used household oil. Bins especially for the
collection of used oil can be placed outside the stores.
3. Technology can be used to promote the cause through publicity on the Internet. This
can also serve to educate the public about the need to recycle food waste.
Feasibility & Manageability:
To allow recycling food waste to be part of our life, it is important to make recycling it
accessible to all. Additional chutes would require a high budget to build and maintain. To
4 Lim, J.(2009, August 06). Singapore Infopedia, NEWater. Website:
http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_1555_2009-08-11.html
Page 2 of 5
lower costs, the current rubbish chutes could be divided into two so that food waste can be
disposed separately.
Although convenience stores such as 7-11 are vey accessible, many may find it troublesome
to collect their used oil to recycle. Discount coupons can be given for a fixed amount of used
oil recycled to attract more households to participate.
With the use of IT, we will be able to reach out to a wider audience and educate them,
through videos, about how to recycle food waste.
Proposal
Case Study (NEWater)
Application to food waste
recycling project
Manageability &
Feasibility
Additional
facilities


Additional chutes can
be added at HDB
blocks to facilitate the
separation of food
waste from other
household waste for
disposal.

Convenience stores
are located at strategic
locations across the
islands, and hence can
function as collection
points for used
household oil. Bins
especially for the
collection of used oil
can be placed outside
the stores
Educational tours of
the food waste
recycling company

Increased

accessibility
Building of more
NEWater plants
Marketed as a tourist 
and education
attraction with the
NEWater Visitor
Centre holding
several tours daily




Active
promotion

Tours include
multimedia
presentations and
interactive computer

Technology can be
used to promote the
cause through
publicity on the
Page 3 of 5

Would require a high
budget to build and
maintain
To lower costs, the
current rubbish
chutes could be
divided into two so
that food waste can
be disposed
separately.
To allow recycling
food waste to be
part of our life, it is
important to make
recycling it accessible
to all.
Although
convenience stores
such as 7-11 are vey
accessible, many
may find it
troublesome to
collect their used oil
to recycle.
Discount coupons
can be given for a
fixed amount of used
oil recycled to attract
more households to
participate.
With IT, we are able
to reach out to a
wider audience and
educate them,

displays to guide
visitors through the
water recycling
processes
At various events,
such as National Day
Parade, NEWater is
given out

Internet or tours. For
example, websites
with interesting
animations could be
designed.
This can also serve to
educate the public
about the need to
recycle food waste.
through videos,
about how to recycle
food waste
Accessibility of information:
Primary research:
Household Survey
This survey would include questions relating to the estimated amount of food waste
generated by the households and their willingness to participate in efforts to recycle food
waste. This allows the understanding of the mindset of our target audience so the approach
can be modified according to their responses.
Retail Survey
Surveying convenience shops in the neighbourhoods would allow us to gauge how willing
they are to participate in the project.
Secondary research:
Description
Food Waste
Recycling in Japan
Kyonggi Province
(Korea) Efforts to
Recycle Food Waste
Ministry of
Environment,
Republic of Korea:
Food Waste to
Energy
Japanese City Starts
Collecting Used
Cooking Oil to Fuel
Transit Buses
Recycling of food
Source
http://www.japanfs.org/en/mailmagazin
e/newsletter/pages/027817.html
http://www.gef.or.jp/20club/E/kyonggi_
e.pdf
http://eng.me.go.kr/content.do?method
=moveContent&menuCode=res_cit_was
_energy
Reasons
Case studies of how other
countries manage to
actively promote food
waste recycling would aid in
making food waste
recycling in Singapore
successful. Korea, is a very
successful case, as its food
waste recycling has
increased to 81.3% in 2004.
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/02956
9.html
http://www.asiaisgreen.com/2008/01/1
Page 4 of 5
Research on what has been
waste in Singapore
5/recycling-of-food-waste-in-singapore/
Food Fuels Energy
Plant
http://www.innovationmagazine.com/in
novation/volumes/v7n3/coverstory4.sht
ml
Page 5 of 5
done in Singapore so far
regarding recycling food
waste and analyse what is
lacking in these efforts so
that they can be added into
our project.