As plastic bags and wraps can get stuck in recycling processing systems resulting in work stoppages, you should avoid putting your recyclables in these bags. Instead, empty your loose recyclables into the recycling cart or recycling dumpster.

Recycling plastic can be complicated as not all plastics are treated the same. Plastics are classified according to the Resin Identification Codes—higher numbered plastics are less recyclable. Number one plastics such as water bottles can be recycled, while number six plastics such as styrofoam are not recyclable.  These identification codes can be found on the plastic product itself so it’s simple to check before recycling.

E-waste can range from laptops and tablets to light bulbs and refrigerators, and there are multiple ways to reduce this waste: by repairing them, donating them or recycling them. These waste products are treated differently from other wastes and should not be thrown into regular recycling bins. There are various recycling schemes and collection points around Singapore which allow you to drop off these unwanted items. If you’re unsure of where to drop them, check out the National Environment Agency’s map of e-waste collection points.

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, hindering 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. These items cannot be recycled but can be donated instead.

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Did you know that items need to be cleaned before they are recycled? That means that you should wash your soap bottles, bottled drinks, jars and containers before putting them into the recycling bin. Even a simple rinse is all that is required. This is so that it will not contaminate other things in the recycling bin and turn it into a trash bin.

However, this makes recycling cardboard food containers more complex. Though more takeaway meals nowadays come in recyclable corrugated cardboard boxes, most of the time, these boxes have been stained with grease and oil. The grease and oil cannot be separated from the paper fibres during the recycling process. If your cardboard recycling bin becomes contaminated with grease or oil from the box, the entire load will be sent to the landfill. Before placing your pizza box or other cardboard food containers in a recycling bin, ensure it is clean by tearing off the contaminated parts. An alternative would be to compost it. 

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Most common items can be recycled more than once, depending on what material it is made of. Certain materials such as plastic have a short recycling lifespan. It can usually only be recycled twice before its quality diminishes to the point where it can no longer be used. Paper is another common material with a short lifespan and it can only be recycled four to six times before it completely loses its quality.

On the other hand, materials such as glass and aluminium can be recycled infinitely without reducing its quality as they do not degrade over time.

As the world becomes more eco-conscious, more brands are offering customers the chance to return their empty product bottles in exchange for points, free products, discounts and more. Typically, returned product containers will be repurposed and recycled to form more containers.

While requirements differ depending on the brand, you will typically need to wash out your containers before you return them to the store. Some brands also require that you collect several empty product jars before you are eligible for its recycling programmes.

Freecycling is a fairly new movement in Singapore but has quickly gained popularity due to its ease: you put items that you no longer need online and give them away to someone who might have use for them. Freecycling groups focusing on different items have popped up all over social media in recent years and they are a great way to give your product a new lease of life rather than just tossing it in the trash. You can donate items such as art supplies, baby items, plants and more via these public online groups.

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