Singapore is known for its strict laws against littering, and its reputation for being the cleanest city in the world. But as we find out in the last of our in-depth reports from the country, public awareness of recycling garbage is very low. Of the 1,500 tons of leftover food that is thrown away every day, only around 10 percent is recycled. We went to a recycling plant to find out how leftovers are turned into biogas and fertilizer; and asked why more food waste isn't treated the same.
( 13 pct. of 600,000tons/year recycled )
At this bustling food court in Singapore, you are bound to find something that agrees with you. But after eating your fill, the leftovers are mercilessly thrown into the bin.
According to official figures, last year Singapore produced over 600,000 tons of food waste, of which only 13 percent was recycled. Some of it came here.
( Food waste into power )The mountain of leftovers may look useless, but at this food waste recycling plant, it is turned into energy.
( IUT Global foreman, Cai Qirong )
" Our company uses the electricity from here, and we sell the excess to the power company, which goes to ordinary homes. One machine can produce enough energy for 4,000 homes; so our two machines can supply 8,000 homes. "
So, how is rotting food turned into electricity?
( Packaging thrown away with leftovers )
Putting on surgical masks for the first step, the workers pick out plastic bags and other litter that is mixed in with the leftovers.
But hang on a minute...
How does trash get into kitchen waste?
Let's go back to that food court to find out.
Ah ha! So all the plastic packaging gets chucked into the bin with the leftover food.
( IUT Global manager, Arshef )
" It comes in terms of packaging, and what they want to throw away is tied into a plastic bag and thrown into the bin. So it is a normal habit. So we cannot do away with plastic at the moment. But generally we try to separate food waste away from any other waste. "
( Methane powers generator )
Back at the recycling plant, the sorted food waste is liquefied and sent to two large biogas containers. 21 days later, it produces methane that can power the electricity generator.
NS: We can see here the reading is showing 530KW.
( Byproduct of organic fertilizer )
The remains of the decomposed food waste, also has a valuable use.
( IUT Global foreman, Cai Qirong )
" This is decomposed fertilizer. It's already organic compost, and it's turned into soil. It has an earthy smell. This is its final use. It can be sold now to grow vegetables and fruit trees. "
From rotting leftover food to sweet smelling plant feed.
( Low recycling rate )
Unfortunately only 10 percent of 1,500 tons of food, thrown away in Singapore each day, is recycled. The rest is burned in the incinerator. The low recycling rate has a lot to do with the way Singaporeans dispose of their trash.
Apartment buildings are fitted with handy garbage chutes, and some kitchens even have one under the sink.
( Singapore resident, Lin Yiru )
" When it's full I throw it out in a plastic bag. I don't recycle the bottles. "
Collected in the same place on the ground floor, the rubbish is picked up every day, not by the government, but private waste disposal companies, who then sort it. Public awareness about recycling is very low.
There are recycling bins outside every residential block, but they are either unused or misused as ordinary trash cans.
( Rethinking the garbage problem )
Tossing everything into same bin may be quick and convenient, but the companies cannot possibly sort and recycle all the arriving waste. Clearly Singapore needs to educate its residents about the principles of refuse disposal, so a sustainable cycle of reusing the city state's limited resources can be put into effect.
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Super Quick Composterby linsomat26,042 views
meanwhile in africa..
SaltySeaDawg171 3 months ago
No room for different bins in such small kitchens
DowntheKitchenSink 9 months ago
why not vermicompost it?too low tech?
vidaripollen 10 months ago