Singapore, 4 September 2010 – The National Environment Agency (NEA) has launched the annual 3Rs Achiever Awards to recognise constituencies that have made outstanding efforts in promoting and supporting the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) in their communities.
Through the recognition of such efforts, the Awards aim to encourage other constituencies to emulate the achievements of winning constituencies and help contribute to meeting Singapore’s overall recycling target of 60% by 2012.
In selecting the winners, NEA looks at the number of 3Rs-related programmes and activities constituencies have organised and sustained over the last three years, and winners are selected based on their commitment and efforts to promote the 3Rs in the community. Each year, one award will be presented to a constituency in each of five districts.
This year, the 3Rs Achiever Award winners are:
• North East District: Punggol South Constituency
• North West District: Woodlands Constituency
• Central District: Thomson Constituency
• South East District: Changi Simei Constituency
• South West District: Choa Chu Kang Constituency
“We launched the National Recycling Programme (NRP) in 2001 and started the annual Recycling Day in 2004. Without the support of the constituencies, we would not have succeeded in increasing the NRP’s household participation rate from 15 per cent in 2001 to 63 per cent in 2009. We hope that the winning constituencies would be encouraged to continue their efforts, while serving as role models that can inspire other constituencies.” said Mr Andrew Tan, Chief Executive Officer, NEA.
Recycling Week 2010
The 3Rs is also the theme of NEA’s Recycling Week 2010, which started today as part of the year-long Clean and Green Singapore programme.
Working in partnership with the Public Waste Collectors, schools, Town Councils, the People’s Association and grassroots organisations, NEA has organised a series of activities between 4 and 11 September 2010 to raise public awareness on the importance of waste minimisation.
A highlight of Recycling Week 2010 will be the E-waste Take Back Project for members of the public to drop off their unwanted electrical and electronic items - such as cellular phones, computers, printers, household appliances - at convenient collection points throughout Singapore. This project is the result of NEA’s close collaboration with major electronics product manufacturers to implement voluntary take-back schemes for unwanted electronic equipment.
Working closely with companies such as Canon, Dell, HP, Motorola, Nokia and Toshiba, NEA has collaborated with its partners to set up four collection points at West Mall, Junction 8 Shopping Centre, NorthPoint Shopping Mall and Changi Simei Community Club for the public to drop off their electronic waste on 10 September 2010. More information can be found at www.cgs.sg.
Other activities during Recycling Week 2010 include a recyclables exchange for food items or cash, colouring contests for pre-schoolers, stage games, and exhibitions.
The Singapore Packaging Agreement’s new 3Rs booklet and exhibition were also launched today. The booklet will be distributed through schools, public libraries and community centres. Containing tips on waste minimisation, the booklet will help residents and youths adopt simple 3Rs habits in their daily lives.
“Practising the 3Rs is a holistic way of minimising the amount of waste generated. Apart from recycling, there is also an important need for us to reduce and reuse. Otherwise, whatever waste that we reduce by recycling may be offset by an increase in waste generated. Under the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint, we are aiming to achieve a recycling rate of 70% by 2030. Everyone has a critical role to play in helping us reach this target and reducing the amount of waste going to our landfill. Hence, NEA is also working with the signatories of the Singapore Packaging Agreement to promulgate the concept of cradle-to-cradle design in their packaging process. This will help minimise the amount of waste disposed and contribute to the overall conservation of resources”, said Mr Tan.
Singapore’s overall recycling rate has increased from 48% in 2004 to 57% in 2009. Correspondingly, the amount of recyclables collected from households has increased from 12,600 tonnes in 2004 to 23,200 tonnes in 2009.
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About the National Environment Agency:
Formed on 1 July 2002, the National Environment Agency (NEA) is the leading public organization responsible for improving and sustaining a clean and green environment in Singapore. The NEA develops and spearheads environmental initiatives and programmes through its partnership with the People, Public and Private sectors. It is committed to motivating every individual to take up environmental ownership and to care for the environment as a way of life.
By protecting Singapore's resources from pollution, maintaining a high level of public health and providing timely meteorological information, the NEA endeavours to ensure sustainable development and a quality living environment for present and future generations.
About the Singapore Packaging Agreement
Please see www.nea.gov.sg/SPA
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