Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Janil Puthucheary revealed that the overall recycling rate of the nation was 52 per cent in 2025, a big departure from the Zero Waste Masterplan goal of 70 per cent by 2030.
Therefore, the benchmarks for recycling and reducing waste will be reviewed, also affected by the high levels of waste being generated.
“We have to have an honest examination of these numbers,” said Mr Janil.
“The global economics of recycling have shifted significantly. Logistics disruptions, commodity price volatility and tightening import restrictions have made recycling harder to sustain commercially, not just in Singapore but worldwide. Paper prices have been significantly depressed, and plastic offtake is difficult to secure.”
