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  Straits Times Forum 10 Jul 07
Weaknesses and inadequacies in our recycling programme
Letter from Yvonne Lim Boon Ya (Ms)

Straits Times 7 Jul 07
Recycling is a way of life for the Koreans
Lee Tee Jong

SEOUL - IN SOUTH Korea, it is second nature for people to separate their waste into food, plastic, cans, glass bottles and paper.

Residents in apartment blocks carry their food trash downstairs and empty it into a common bin located at the bottom of the block.

Supermarkets charge 50 won (8 Singapore cents) for a plastic bag to encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable carriers. Those who bring along their own bags get a 50 won discount off their purchases. The law also requires department stores and supermarkets to charge 100 won for a paper shopping bag.

South Koreans stand out as a shining example of a nation that strives to be environmentally friendly amid warnings of the impact of global warming, caused mainly be human activities.

Seoul-based Singaporean housewife Lee Ying Zheng told The Straits Times: 'The Koreans' systematic way of disposing waste is something that other countries including Singapore can learn from.

'It conserves resources, protects the environment and is aesthetically more pleasing.'

South Koreans became more environmentally conscious only after the Environment Ministry introduced in 1994 a volume-based waste collection fee system.

Under this scheme, all households and commercial building owners were required to buy specially designed trash bags. Cleaners would collect only trash placed in these bags. And people who generate more rubbish pay more.

But the authorities do not require people to pay for the disposal of rubbish that has been separated for recycling in the designated bins. So, people separate their recyclable waste to save money which would otherwise be spent on additional trash bags.

Those who do not use the specially designed trash bags will be fined. The government also offered monetary rewards for information on the identity of the offenders.

Fast food outlets are also required to dispose of at least 90 per cent of used paper cups in designated recycling bins. Those who fail to do so are fined up to three million won.

As a result of the new system, the amount of recycled waste surged to 74 per cent last year from less than 30 per cent in the early 1990s.

'During the initial phase, many grumbled about the extra work, but now it is a way of life,' said Mr Kim.

Straits Times Forum 10 Jul 07
Weaknesses and inadequacies in our recycling programme
Letter from Yvonne Lim Boon Ya (Ms)

THE article, 'Recycling is a way of life for the Koreans' (ST, July 7), serves as a stark reminder of how much there is to be desired in the local scene.

Indeed, efforts at engaging citizens to actively recycle have been demonstrated in the various recycling programmes implemented throughout the years.

However, being a relatively new concept, it has understandably not penetrated deep enough to instil a sense of urgency to garner mass active participation.

Further, I feel that there are underlying weaknesses and inadequacies in the recycling programme in estates.

Firstly, rather than projecting recycling as a voluntary service left to one's discretion, it should be presented as a pressing obligatory commitment to the environment. Alongside intensive promotional efforts to initiate a lifestyle change that incorporates recycling, the recycling programme should be tailored and enhanced to facilitate this process.

For instance, recycling bins should be made available at the lift lobby of every block and cleared on a daily basis - in addition to recycling bins at designated areas and the mere fortnightly door-to-door collection.

This pervasive strategy indicates to residents the significance of recycling, stresses the need for involvement of all residents in inculcating recycling into their daily routine, while providing tremendous convenience to compel such an act, as well as permitting the recycling of certain items, for example, food cans which would otherwise be disposed of for fear of attracting pests (due to collection done only fortnightly).

Recycling bins should also have full illustration of all commonly acceptable items. For instance, in the recycling bin for paper, images of magazines, cereal boxes, drink cartons, et cetera, should also be included, in addition to the illustration of newspapers.

Bins should also be well-categorised to ease sorting of recyclables at the later stage.

An additional 'general waste' bin should be placed alongside these recycling bins to prevent the errant disposal of waste.

Perhaps a pilot project in a constituency can first be carried out to test residents' receptiveness and to enable modifications to be made in response to feedback.

The adoption of recycling practices by fast-food outlets cited in the article should also urge us to consider similar policies. More recycling receptacles should also be placed at strategic locations, for example, entrances of stations, bus stops, along shopping belts, as well as next to general waste bins where there is a high likelihood of disposal of items such as drink cans, paper cups and flyers by pedestrians.

Equipped with the right attitude and with opportunities aplenty to recycle, this can well be the way of life for Singaporeans.
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