Money Mind explores how companies are turning waste into assets.
SINGAPORE: The concept of a circular economy is gaining traction in sustainability discussions, yet globally, only an estimated 8.6 percent of the economy operates on circular principles.
As Singapore’s economic activity rebounded in 2021 following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the total solid waste generated increased by 18 percent. However, the domestic recycling rate stagnated at 13 percent, the lowest figure in over a decade. To address this, the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint aims to boost the recycling rate to 30 percent by 2030.
Industry experts emphasize the importance of raising consumer awareness about the potential of waste as a resource. “If a recyclable material holds no resale value, people are less likely to recycle it,” explained Ms. Melissa Tan, CEO of Singapore-based waste management firm Wah and Hua. “Conversely, higher resale prices can encourage more recycling companies to collect those materials.”
Currently, around 40 percent of items in blue recycling bins cannot be processed due to contamination, primarily from food and liquid waste, as well as e-waste and styrofoam. To combat this issue, Wah and Hua introduced a mobile app that rewards users with green bonus points for recycling correctly.
The app offers information on recycling points and locations. Users can take pictures of their recyclables, and the company’s AI software identifies the materials and estimates their weight. Bonus points are awarded upon depositing the recyclables, which can be redeemed for rewards. The company is also planning to construct a zero-waste facility tailored to Singapore’s densely populated urban environment.
In rural settings, other innovative waste management solutions are also emerging. EF Polymer, an agritech startup operating in India and Japan, transforms fruit waste into sustainable resources. Co-founder and COO Puran Singh Rajput highlighted the environmental impact of chemical-based agricultural products, saying, “We replace the main ingredient with fruit peels, which are easily accessible and eco-friendly.”
This biodegradable polymer can absorb water up to 150 times its weight, enabling farmers to reduce water usage for irrigation by up to 40 percent. It also acts as a fertilizer and has recently received organic certification, with plans for expansion into Southeast Asia.
Such upcycling of biowaste exemplifies the paradigm shift needed in waste management, according to industry experts. Mr. Andrew Benedek, chairman and CEO of Anaergia, previously involved in Singapore’s NEWater project, stresses the multifaceted benefits of viewing waste as a resource.
“I wish for people to stop perceiving waste as waste. Waste is a resource that must be recycled,” he stated. “Most biogenic materials can be converted into methane for fuel.”
Singapore is currently constructing an Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF) in Tuas, which will be the country’s first integrated facility to treat incinerable waste, source-segregated food waste, and dewatered sludge. Dr. Benedek believes that such facilities could set a precedent for the rest of Asia.
“What I admire about it is that it optimally processes both liquid and solid human waste to benefit society. Many people handle these types separately, which can lead to suboptimal solutions. By continuing this trend and establishing more IWMF-type facilities, we can significantly enhance waste management across Asia.”
