JURONG TOWN (Steps to improve industrial refuse collection)

Mr Ho Kah Leong asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that due to the irregular collection of industrial waste in Jurong Town by his Ministry, the factories tend to burn their waste which, besides possibly giving rise to fire hazards, increases air pollution in the area; and if he will take steps to improve the efficiency of industrial refuse collection in the Town.

Mr Jek Yeun Thong (Acting Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, Sir, it is correct that the Ministry of Health provides only a limited refuse removal service to factories in the Jurong industrial estate. The refuse removed is a domestic and trade type of refuse, but not industrial waste. This already amounts to 29 tons per day. The department does not have the vehicles or men to undertake the removal of industrial waste which is estimated at present at another 45 tons per day. To remove this, six more vehicles and 18 men are required.

The removal of trade and industrial waste by persons carrying on a trade or manufacture is provided for under the law. All factories in the area were in October 1968 served with notices under section 13 of the Environmental Public Health Act, 1968, to cart their industrial waste for disposal at the Choa Chu Kang refuse dumping ground. The charge made for the use of this dumping ground was waived and the managements of factories do make use of this facility.

The burning of industrial refuse, unless carried out in properly designed and approved incinerators, is a fire hazard and causes smoke and air pollution in the area. Action will be taken against the management of the factories for creating such nuisance.