The global narrative around plastic waste often begins (and unfortunately sometimes ends) with recycling. In many ways, recycling is merely the first milestone, not the finish line in our journey toward a circular economy. In Singapore, our waste challenge is acute and the opportunity to lead is clear. Ecoworks was highlighted by Ms Poh Li San, Government Parliamentary Committee Chairperson for Sustainability and the Environment, Grassroots Advisor to Sembawang West SMC during the Parliament Sitting on 5th Nov 2025, with acknowledgement and support expressed by Dr. Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State of Sustainability and the Environment of Singapore (MSE): a proud moment that affirmed how community-driven initiatives can align with national priorities.
The plastic waste situation: why recycling alone is not enough
Our tiny island-state may not cover acres of land, yet we generate tonnes of waste each year. Even as national recycling efforts expand, Singapore’s domestic recycling rate remains relatively low and plastics continue to be one of the most challenging materials to recover. This challenge isn’t unique to Singapore — it’s something both developed and developing countries around the world are facing.
Recycling faces bottlenecks from sorting and contamination issues to limits in re-processing capacity. With only one active landfill, the need to move beyond disposing, recycling and burying has never been more urgent. This is why our national efforts on upstream waste prevention and reduction need greater focus — reducing waste right at the source and encouraging a stronger culture of reuse.
Reuse and refill: the next frontier
If recycling is an important step, reuse is the leap. Reuse keeps precious resources and materials in use longer, avoiding the creation of waste in the first place, and circular business models could augment resource loops to be tighter and cleaner, reducing our impact on the environment.
In practice, reuse and refill systems look like this:
- Retailers offer refill-stations for beverages, detergents, or kitchen goods instead of selling new containers each time.
- Deposit or return systems for bottles and takeaway containers.
- Durable, modular product designs that can be repaired or refilled instead of discarded.
- Everyday habits shift: from bringing reusable bottles to choosing refilled products over disposables.
Incentivising Reuse behaviour through Bring Your Own (BYO)
During the Adjournment Motion, Ms Poh also mentioned a “second carrot” which scales the BYO movement via everyday discounts & recognition. Ms Poh recommended for all coffeeshops and foodcourt chains to join in the BYO movement, to give a discount to all customers who bring their own cups for drinks. With the reduction in use of disposable cups for takeaway, operators get to enjoy reduction in cost savings as well — a win for all.
Watch the full Adjournment Motion motion here: https://www.youtube.com/live/fg8hqwx7lDk?si=MkOvNtazbOFpoBBx&t=40056
If recycling is the baseline, reuse and refill will be the next leap. By embracing reuse and refill, we can extend the lifespan of our Semakau Landfill, reduce our waste and carbon footprint, and spark new opportunities in green innovation and circular business models. It’s also about shaping culture, one where Singaporeans see value not in throwing away, but in keeping things in use.