MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT

DR AHMAD MATTAR Minister for the Environment

We need to create among Singaporeans a concern for the environment. The Ministry has recently been reorganised for the better, to accomplish our aim of becoming an Environment City.

Every Singaporean has a responsibility for our environment. The Clean and Green Week (CGW), first launched in 1990, will be held annually. The National Council for the Environment will spearhead public participation. The Ministry will continue to support volunteer groups caring for the environment.

A pilot waste recycling project covering three housing estates was introduced during the CGW. Residents were encouraged to separate certain readily recyclable materials from the rest of their garbage. Recycling will be extended to cover more households and workplaces. Re-using materials which would otherwise be discarded will help to conserve natural resources.

The Ministry will encourage industries to produce less waste at source, to reduce the amount of materials used and the cost of waste disposal.

When the Senoko Incineration Plant begins operation in 1992, all incinerable waste will be burned. This will conserve landfill space.

We are studying the feasibility of setting up a plant to treat toxic wastes from industries.

Good environmental policy and practice depends on sound understanding of scientific, technological and economic principles. The Ministry will continue to work with all interested groups, and strengthen collaboration with tertiary institutions in environmental research.

We will further improve air quality with tighter emission standards for new diesel-driven vehicles and motorcycles. Use of unleaded petrol will reduce the amount of lead in the air. From 1 July 91, new petrol-driven vehicles must be capable of using unleaded petrol. By 1993, new petrol-driven vehicles will require catalytic convertors.

The standard of hygiene and cleanliness in all food outlets will be raised further. Food hygiene courses will continue to be conducted for food handlers. The public will be encouraged to provide feedback on the food outlets.

Singapore will continue to contribute to the protection of the global environment. Besides gradually reducing consumption of ozone-depleting chloro-fluorocarbons (CFCs), we have banned non-pharmaceutical aerosol products containing CFCs and polystyrene sheets made with the use of CFCs.

The Ministry will continue to encourage the use of environment-friendly products, and consider eco-labelling to help consumers identify goods that do least harm to the environment.

The Ministry will promote Singapore as a centre which provides environmental technology and expertise to the region.