“Reduce, re-use, and recycle.” We are probably very familiar with this saying. As Singapore adopts a circular economy that seeks to minimise waste, there has been a lot of emphasis on sustainability and going green.
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In line with its efforts to become a zero-waste nation, the Singapore government has introduced a host of recycling initiatives, encouraging people to adopt the habit of recycling in their households.
Recycling is fantastic because it gives your products a new lease of life and allows for less waste.
However, recycling is still not as commonplace in Singapore as you’d think. According to a survey by the National Environmental Agency, only three in five households recycled regularly in 2021.
One reason for this lack of a recycling ethos among Singaporeans is likely because many people do not actually know how to recycle, what can be recycled and what to do with items that are not traditionally tossed in a recycling bin but that can be reused.
In the spirit of Earth Day, we share some tips that will turn you into a recycling pro.
1. There are certain things you cannot recycle

One of the biggest problems Singapore faces in its drive to get more people to recycle is that many simply don’t know what they can or cannot recycle. As a result, our recycling bins are often filled with things that cannot be recycled or that are dirty which can hinder the recycling process.
Before you toss anything into a recycling bin, check the bin label to see if your item can be recycled. You can typically recycle glass, paper, plastic and metal.
Also, ensure that you separate reusable items such as clothes or toys from your recyclables. They can be donated but are not recyclable.
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