The ongoing global dialogue surrounding plastic pollution and environmental sustainability has brought into focus the choice between single-use plastic bags and their biodegradable counterparts. In Singapore, this debate takes on unique dimensions, guided by the insightful perspectives of Dr. Amy Khor, the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. Let’s delve into this discourse and explore why Singapore continues to favor single-use plastic bags over biodegradables.
The Role of Hygienic Waste Disposal
Dr. Amy Khor, Singapore’s Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, underscores the importance of Singaporean households’ practice of reusing plastic bags for hygienic waste disposal. Unlike some countries where plastic waste ends up in landfills, Singapore manages its plastic waste by incinerating it safely in waste-to-energy plants before disposing of it as ash. This crucial difference ensures that plastics are efficiently managed, preventing them from lingering in landfills or finding their way into the sea.
The Singaporean Approach to Plastic Waste
Singapore’s approach to plastic waste differs significantly from that of countries that grapple with landfill problems. Here, plastic waste is not directly sent to landfills but is either recycled or undergoes safe incineration in waste-to-energy plants. This meticulous waste management process aligns with Singapore’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
“As the environmental benefits of using biodegradable plastic bags do not apply in Singapore, we have no plans to encourage their use over conventional plastic bags,” emphasized Dr. Khor.
A Focus on Sustainable Reduction
Dr. Khor emphasizes that, instead of simply substituting conventional plastic disposables with biodegradable plastics, the more sustainable approach lies in reducing the excessive use of disposables. This view underscores Singapore’s dedication to addressing the root cause of plastic waste rather than merely switching to alternative materials.
In conclusion, Singapore’s unique waste management practices and its Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Amy Khor’s, insights highlight the context-specific nature of the single-use vs. biodegradable plastic bags debate. While biodegradable plastics may offer environmental advantages in certain settings, Singapore’s efficient waste disposal and recycling systems make single-use plastic bags a practical and sustainable choice for the city-state. By emphasizing responsible consumption and waste reduction, Singapore continues its journey toward a greener and more sustainable future.
Rather than substituting plastic disposables with disposables made of other materials, such as biodegradable plastics, the more sustainable approach is to reduce the excessive use of disposables.
http://www.zerowastesg.com/2016/11/09/oral-reply-by-dr-amy-khor-senior-minister-of-state-for-the-environment-and-water-resources-to-parliamenty-question-on-imposing-a-charge-on-plastic-bags-in-supermarkets-9-nov-2016-parliament-qa/