IMPLEMENTING AND PROMOTING HOUSEHOLD WASTE SEGREGATION IN PUBLIC HOUSING

Abstract

Waste minimisation and recycling are key components of Singapore’s sustainable waste management strategy and work towards zero waste and zero landfill. In order to sustain these key components, proper waste segregation at source is essential. However, there is not much attention paid to the importance of proper waste segregation in Singapore, especially in public housing, where household waste is simply disposed through the refuse chute system without segregation. Therefore, the focus of the research is to recommend ways to implement and promote household waste segregation in public housing.

In order to recommend ways for implementing and promoting household waste segregation at source, it is essential to first examine the issue of the general public indifference and motivating factors towards waste segregation, followed by exploring the waste segregation system from other countries. The objectives are fulfilled through a survey and comparative analysis of three overseas case studies.

The findings from both the survey and case studies suggest that incentive scheme and educational programmes are essential inputs for implementing and promoting household waste segregation at source in public housing. A rebate scheme is hence recommended.