The strategies taken to manage hazardous wastes include: • Avoid/reduce generation of hazardous wastes; • Use less hazardous chemicals; and • Use clean technology and recycle/re-use toxic industrial wastes where appropriate. The National Recycling Programme (NRP) for households was launched in April 2001 to increase recycling rate for household wastes. The programme has achieved a participation rate of 63% in 2009. The Singapore Packaging Agreement is a joint initiative by the NEA, industry groups and individual companies in Singapore to reduce packaging waste at source. This 5-year programme, which came into effect on 5 June 2007, continued to yield good results in the first two years of the Agreement, the signatories implemented changes to their packaging or processes and avoided a cumulative total of 2,500 tonnes of packaging waste for the first two year s of the Agreement. More companies have joined the Singapore Packaging Agreement, bringing the total number of signatories to 95 in 2009. An interagency task force led by the Economic Development Board was formed in May 2001 to draw up the framework and action plans to develop Singapore into a Centre of Excellence for waste recycling in the region in 10 years’ time. The task force recommended a framework comprising the following four strategic thrusts: • To create a pro-environment culture both in the corporate world and in the community; • To develop an effective supporting infrastructure to help nurture the waste recycling industry; • To build a strong foundation for technology development and innovative application of technologies; and • To create a vibrant waste management industry. Environmental Protection Division Annual Report 2009: http://app2.nea.gov.sg/data/cmsresource/20101207942151207090.pdf

 

Prior to Singapore’s notification to the Basel Convention, the Pollution Control Department applied the Environmental Public Health (Toxic Industrial Waste) Regulations to regulate the export, import and transit of hazardous wastes. In November 1997, Singapore enacted the Hazardous Waste (Control of Export, Import and Transit) Act (HWA) and its regulations that came into operation on 16 March 1998. The Act and its regulations enable Singapore to fulfill the obligations of the Basel Convention. Under the Act and its regulations, a permit is required for the export, import and transit of hazardous wastes scheduled under the Basel Convention.

 

 

Cleaner production; and waste minimisation/reduction/recycling/recovery programs. The Waste Management and Recycling Association of Singapore (WMRAS) was established on 8 August 2001. Members of the association include companies in the waste management and recycling industry. WMRAS serves as a platform for the waste recycling companies to pool their resources, to collaborate and to work together to upgrade and raise the professionalism of the waste management and recycling industry. http://www.wmras.org.sg/