ECO-RECYCLING PARK

Ms Olivia Lum Ooi Lin asked the Minister for the Environment (a) if he will provide an update on the proposed pilot Eco-Recycling Park in Tuas; and (b) whether his Ministry plans for more schemes and programmes to encourage recycling companies to set up their facilities and invest in advanced technology and capital equipment there.

Mr Lim Swee Say: Output of solid waste has increased in tandem with economic and population growth in the last three decades. Today, about 7,700 tonnes of waste are disposed of at our incineration plants and Semakau landfill daily. This represents a six-fold increase compared to 30 years ago. This trend is not sustainable.

We need to minimise waste and recycle more. Last year, our recycling rate was 44%. We aim to increase it to 60% by 2012. To achieve this target, one key initiative is the setting up of the Eco-Recycling Park in Tuas through the joint effort of ENV, NEA, EDB and JTC.

Besides helping to increase recycling in Singapore, the growth of the recycling industry can also serve the growing markets in Singapore as well as in the region. The Park seeks to attract high-value added activities, and transform the image of the recycling industry into one that deploys advanced technology and provides a more conducive working environment.

We adopt a cluster approach in the development of the Park so that companies can enjoy greater synergies and operational efficiency. JTC offers them a 30-year lease at reasonable rental. ENV encourages them to make use of the "Innovation for Environmental Sustainability" (IES) Fund and try out new approaches in environmental management. They can also take advantage of various incentive schemes managed by EDB, IE Singapore and SPRING Singapore.

The Park was launched in March 2002 and has received encouraging response. By the end of this year, companies operating in the Park will be able to offer facilities for the recovery of recyclables from industrial, commercial and domestic sectors, including paper, glass, plastic, wood and metal. The remaining non-recyclable materials are then disposed of at Tuas Incineration Plant located in the Park.

We are in the early stage of developing the Park. There is still a long way to go. NEA, JTC and EDB are currently promoting several companies to set up facilities to recycle plastic, glass, cardboard, food waste, waste cooking oil and so on, in the Park. Guided by the Singapore Green Plan 2012, the development of the Eco-Recycling Park will not only help enhance our environmental sustainability, but also transform the waste recycling industry in Singapore into a regional leader.