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  Straits Times Forum Online 11 Nov 05
Have a drive-through to drop recyclable items
Letter from Tay Wei Ping (Mdm)

I AM a staunch believer in recycling.

However, I find that recycling in Singapore requires a big effort. Where I live there is no recycling programme so, after sorting out my recyclable rubbish - tin, plastic and glass - I would usually get my husband to drive to Newton Food Centre to deposit the rubbish. As the bins are all locked, my husband and I would have to deposit the rubbish item by item through the 'pigeon hole' under the hot sun. This would usually take quite some time.

Once I tried to add paper to my recycling by shredding my bills and letters, but to my dismay I found that the slot on the paper bin was meant for A4-sized paper. If I tried to deposit my shredded paper, I would probably end up creating quite a mess on the floor.

I wish recycling can be an easier affair, like having a few drive-throughs where we can deposit the rubbish.

Tay Wei Ping (Mdm)

Straits Times Forum Online 16 Nov 05
Deposit bulkier items for recycling at Newton carpark
Reply by NEA

I REFER to the letter, 'Have a drive-through to drop recyclable items' (ST, Nov 11), by Mdm Tay Wei Ping and would like to commend her for the enthusiasm and support shown towards recycling in Singapore.

Each recycling bin of the type provided at the Newton Food Centre carpark comes with a top-cover that has a locking mechanism and, under normal circumstances, the top-cover is locked. Recyclables are dropped through an appropriate opening, such as a round-shaped opening for plastic bottles or a slit for paper. These openings have been kept small to discourage rubbish from being thrown into the bins and to prevent deposited items from being retrieved.

In consideration of the writer's feedback, we have spoken to the recycling company, which has agreed to unlock the top-covers for a trial period so as to facilitate the depositing of bulkier items.

We will monitor the situation and will consider leaving the covers unlocked should the trial be successful.

We would like to encourage readers to continue recycling through the National Recycling Programme, condominium recycling programme, school recycling programme and the use of public recycling bins.

To know more about these recycling programmes, please refer to our website www.nea.gov.sg/recycling

Ong Seng Eng
Head, ResourceConservation Department
National Environment Agency
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