WE THANK Mr Lee Yong Se for his feedback ("Cleaners the weak link in recycling efforts"; Forum Online, last Thursday).
We agree with Mr Lee that recyclables deposited in recycling bins should be separately collected and sent for recycling instead of being mixed with general waste.
In this regard, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has worked with commercial premises, including shopping malls, offices and hotels, to promote the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle).
This includes developing 3R guidebooks which provide guidelines on how to set up a recycling programme and the need to collect and store recyclables separately from general waste.
This is to avoid contamination of the recyclables, such as with food waste. The items then cannot be recycled and the entire recyclable collection may be compromised. The 3R guidebooks are available at NEA's website at http://ift.tt/1Aepiw1
As part of their waste reduction plans, large commercial premises such as shopping malls provide recycling bins and have recycling programmes in place. They would also inform and train their cleaners to keep recyclables segregated from general waste.
We will continue to impress upon owners of premises to work closely with their cleaning contractors on the proper handling of recyclables.
The public may contact NEA so that we can advise the owners of premises, or approach the management, should they witness the mixing of recyclables deposited in recycling bins with general waste.
Ong Soo San
Director
Waste and Resource Management Department
National Environment Agency
We agree with Mr Lee that recyclables deposited in recycling bins should be separately collected and sent for recycling instead of being mixed with general waste.
In this regard, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has worked with commercial premises, including shopping malls, offices and hotels, to promote the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle).
This includes developing 3R guidebooks which provide guidelines on how to set up a recycling programme and the need to collect and store recyclables separately from general waste.
This is to avoid contamination of the recyclables, such as with food waste. The items then cannot be recycled and the entire recyclable collection may be compromised. The 3R guidebooks are available at NEA's website at http://ift.tt/1Aepiw1
As part of their waste reduction plans, large commercial premises such as shopping malls provide recycling bins and have recycling programmes in place. They would also inform and train their cleaners to keep recyclables segregated from general waste.
We will continue to impress upon owners of premises to work closely with their cleaning contractors on the proper handling of recyclables.
The public may contact NEA so that we can advise the owners of premises, or approach the management, should they witness the mixing of recyclables deposited in recycling bins with general waste.
Ong Soo San
Director
Waste and Resource Management Department
National Environment Agency
