MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT

DR AHMAD MATTAR Minister for the Environment

The "Singapore Green Plan" sets out the policies to maintain and improve our environment. By the year 2000, we aim to develop Singapore into a model Environment City, with high standards of public health, a quality environment, and an environmentally conscious and responsible people. It will be a focal point for regional and international environmental activities.

2. We seek public feedback on the Plan. We will reach out to schools, grassroots organisations, corporations and the media to promote environmentalism and green consumerism. By 1993, a "green labelling" scheme will help consumers identify products that cause least harm to the environment.

3. We will strive to generate less refuse per capita, to conserve resources and scarce landfill space. We will encourage efficient use of energy, and promote waste minimization through reduction, reuse, recovery and recycling. All incinerable wastes will be burned when the Senoko Incineration Plant is operational in June 1992.

4. We will set higher standards for emissions to the air and discharges into the waterways.

5. Use of unleaded petrol has reduced the amount of harmful air-borne lead. Consumption of leaded petrol will decline as all new petrol-driven vehicles imported into Singapore must be able to run on unleaded petrol. Vehicle emission standards will be further tightened on 1 July 1992.

6. To minimise odour nuisance and free up surrounding land, sewage treatment works will be progressively enclosed and foul gases treated before they are discharged.

7. Disposal of hazardous materials must satisfy more stringent requirements. Mercury content of batteries will be limited and, where possible, eliminated to minimise the hazard caused by the metal. We will do a feasibility study for a toxic waste treatment plant.

8. We will continue to ensure that only safe and hygienic food are sold. Food manufacturing will be modernised and automated.

9. We will establish Singapore as a regional centre for environmental management and technology.

10. Singapore will continue to help protect the global environment. Lower sulphur fuel will be used to limit sulphur dioxide emissions. We are phasing out ozone-depleting gases such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons well ahead of the schedule stipulated in the Montreal Protocol.