Marine plastics pollution SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE
Singapore recycled only 4% of the total plastic waste generated in 2019, but aims for a 70% overall
recycling rate by 2030, as part of its Zero Waste Masterplan.
Millions of tonnes of plastics enter the ocean every year, with tremendous environmental, economic
and social costs that are difficult to quantify. However, the marine plastics pollution problem cannot
be solved just by cleaning up the ocean. Most marine plastics are not discarded directly into the sea
but derive from land-based sources. They end up in the sea due to a multitude of reasons, such as
the inadequate filtering of wastewater, improper or illegal disposal, or unexpected natural disasters.
Land-based initiatives are therefore essential to addressing marine plastics pollution.
The OECD stands ready to help develop policy advice and financing strategies to address marine
plastics pollution in Southeast Asia, a region where this problem is particularly acute.

Figure 1. Singapore: Key demographic, geographic, and economic indicators

Population density:
7804/km2 (2018)(4) Population living within 10 km of
Capital city:
Singapore the coast:
Population: 5.8 million 100% of total population (2015)(6)
(2020 estimate)(1)
Surface area:
723 km2(3)
Urban population (as percentage of total
Coastline: population):
193 km(5) 100% (2020 estimate)(2)

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ):

673 km2 (10)

GDP per capita: USD 65 233 (2019) (current)(7)

In Singapore, several government ministries and environmental protection.

agencies are involved in addressing marine The National Environment Agency (NEA),(9) under
plastics pollution: both the Environmental Policy Division and the
Energy and Climate Policy Division of the MSE,
• The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment ensures a clean and green environment; sustainable
(MSE) is responsible for ensuring climate resilience, development; solid waste management; promotion of
economic resilience and resource resilience.(8) Under the circular economy and the 3Rs. The Maritime and
the Ministry, the Environmental Policy Division Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) ensures safety,
works towards zero waste, the circular economy and security and environmental protection in port waters.

1. United Nations Population Division (2019), World Population Prospects 2019.

2. United Nations Population Division (2018), World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.
3. United Nations Statistics Division (2019), Demographic Yearbook 2018.
4. United Nations Statistics Division (2019)
5. CIA (2020), The World Factbook.
6.OECD (2020), OECD Statistics (OECD calculations based on Florczyk et al, 2019), http://dx.doi.org/10.2760/062975.
7. World Bank (2020), World Development Indicators Database.
8. 8 Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) Singapore (2021), https://www.mse.gov.sg/.
9. National Environment Agency (NEA) Singapore (2021), https://www.nea.gov.sg/.
10. Flanders Marine Institute, 2019

1- Marine plastics pollution in Singapore

 Marine plastics pollution SINGAPORE

Government Policies 2020.(12) Producers of packaged products must

Singapore’s 2019 Zero Waste Masterplan maps out submit information on the type of packaging material,
Singapore’s key strategies to build a sustainable, such as plastic, paper, metal, glass, etc., the form of
resource-efficient and climate-resilient nation.(10) It packaging (e.g. carrier bags, bottles, cartons, cans), the
includes key targets, such as reducing the waste sent weight of packaging, and 3R plans (such as reduction
to Semakau Landfill (the country’s only landfill) each of packaging, collection of packaging for reuse or
day by 30% by 2030 – which will help to extend recycling, and use of recycled content in packaging).
Semakau Landfill’s lifespan beyond 2035. The The Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Act includes
country is aiming towards a 70% overall recycling subsidiary legislation on the disposal of garbage.(13)
rate by 2030,(11) and plans to have an extended Singapore’s National Recycling Programme requires all
producer responsibility framework in place by 2025. public waste collectors to provide recycling bins and
Several laws and regulations are also in place, collection services to public housing (HDB) estates
including Mandatory Packaging Reporting as of and private landed properties.(14)

Figure 2. Singapore: Waste and plastic waste statistics

Landfill (3%)(19)
Plastic waste generation:
930 000 tonnes (2019)(16)

Recycling (59%)(17)

Incineration (38%)(18)

Municipal solid waste generation: Waste treatment (2020)

7.3 million tonnes/year (2019)(15)

Waste collection and disposal

Waste collection in Singapore covers 100% of its household waste (e.g. newspapers, electronics). Of
population,(20) with public waste collectors serving plastics, only 37,000 tonnes of the 930,000 tonnes
domestic and trade premises. Informal collection generated was recycled, equivalent to just 4%.(21)
accounts for 90% of collecting of recyclable

10. Ministry of Environment and Water Resources & National Environment Agency (NEA) Singapore (2019), https://www.towardszerowaste.gov.sg/ze-
ro-waste-masterplan/
11. NEA (2019), Zero Waste Masterplan Singapore.
12. Source (legal doc): https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL-Supp/S508-2020 - Source 2 (Zero Waste Masterplan pdf): https://www.towardszerowaste.gov.sg/images/ze-
ro-waste-masterplan.pdf
13. Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (2008), Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Act, https://www.mpa.gov.sg/web/portal/home/port-of-singapore/maritime-legis-
lation-of-singapore/prevention-of-pollution-of%20the-sea-act
14. NEA (2001), National Recycling Programme, https://www.mpa.gov.sg/web/portal/home/port-of-singapore/maritime-legislation-of-singapore/prevention-of-pollu-
tion-of%20the-sea-act
15. Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (2020), Key Environmental Statistics 2020, https://www.mse.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/
grab-our-research/key-environmental-statistics-2020.pdf.
16. Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (2020)
17. Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (2020)
18. Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (2020)
19.Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (2020)
20. World Bank (2018), What a Waste Global Database.
21. Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (2020)

2- Marine plastics pollution in Singapore

 Marine plastics pollution SINGAPORE

Figure 3. Singapore: Key plastics trade indicators

Major exporters and importers of plastic waste

15000 25000

24 600 (2018) as reported by partner (importer) countries(23)

Malaysia (13 400)

12000 20000
12 300 (2018) as reported by partner (exporter)

Plastic waste exported from Singapore

Plastic waste imported into Singapore

9000 15000

Hong Kong (China) (4 000)

Tonnes
Tonnes

Japan (4 000)

Hong Kong (China) (940)

United States (1 600)

6000 10000

Thailand (3 300)
Malaysia (1 300)

Pakistan (1 400)
countries(22)

3000 5000

0 0
reported by exporters reported by importers

Measures to address marine plastic waste

Several clean-up efforts are in place, such as the of food waste, plastic disposables, household recycling
Park and Beach Clean-up organised by NEA and and organisational waste. This includes Save Food
the Public Hygiene Council,(24) and underwater Cut Waste and Zero Waste School (incorporating
clean-up activities with divers from Our Singapore environmental education into schools).(27);(28) Singapore
Reefs. The CleanSG Day,(25) organised by the Public bans the use of disposable materials in new hawker
Hygiene Council, gives cleaners a day of rest in centres (only 12 out of 114 as of early 2020).(29) BYO
the month of May and requires others to be more Singapore (part of Zero Waste SG) offers discounts
vigilant about littering, waste generation and waste when customers bring their own reusable bags, bottles
disposal. Awareness efforts include Zero Waste and containers.(30)
SG,(26) which educates and advocates in the fields

22. UN Comtrade (2020). UN Comtrade Database International Trade Statistics

23. JUN Comtrade (2020).
24. Public Hygiene Council Singapore (2021), https://www.publichygienecouncil.sg/beachcleanup
25. Public Hygiene Council (2021), Clean SGDay, https://www.publichygienecouncil.sg/initiatives/cleansg-day
26. Zero Waste SG (2021), http://www.zerowastesg.com/
27. Save Food Cut Waste (2021), http://www.savefoodcutwaste.com/
28. Zero Waste School (2021), http://www.zerowastesg.com/services/zero-waste-schools/
29. Kok, X. (2020), In Singapore, cutting down on plastic is not yet so drastic.
30. BYO Singapore (2021), http://www.byosingapore.com/

3- Marine plastics pollution in Singapore