Sustainability in Singapore: The Plastic Problem
Why is there a plastic problem? What is it?
Plastics are everywhere, with over 300 billion kg of it being produced globally every year. Annual global plastic production has increased by 20 times since 1950, and is projected to triple by 2050. However, the real problem lies in the way plastics are being used and disposed.
Poor waste management globally is a key factor that leads to plastic pollution in the environment. Each year, around 8 billion kg of plastics leak into the oceans, affecting ecosystems and wildlife terribly. By 2050, there could be more plastics in the ocean than fish by weight.
In Singapore, about 700 million kg of plastic waste is discarded each year. But currently, only 4% of this amount is being recycled. Most of them are incinerated after one-time use.
Furthermore, our Semakau landfill is projected to run out of space by 2035. With plastics taking up to 400 years to decompose, their impact on the environment will affect people’s lives for the next 16 generations.
So what can you do?
- Reduce your daily plastics footprint
- When possible, reuse your plastics instead of throwing them away immediately after just one use
- Choose products with less plastic/ eco-friendly packaging
Sources:
https://blog.geneco.sg/knowledge/plastic-pollution-in-singapore-what-is-it-and-why-does-it-matter
https://plastic-action.asia/the-problem/
https://www.wwf.sg/get_involved/useless_plastic_/
https://blog.geneco.sg/knowledge/plastic-pollution-in-singapore-what-is-it-and-why-does-it-matter