Technical Report Draft #2

Problem Statement: 

In 2017, the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) rolled out a campaign “Sustainable Singapore Movement” to cut down on waste generation and wants Singapore to be a “Zero Waste Nation”. According to the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) vision and mission statement, the university seeks to be an innovative leader in the education industry. By being the first educational institution in Singapore to fully recycle all single-use plastics in canteens, SIT will be a model of “Zero Waste Nation” for other educational establishments in Singapore. 

Currently, SIT canteens use non-recyclable plastic products such as Polystyrene (PS) and Low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The difficulty in recycling such plastic materials will result in an increase in plastic waste generated as it will take hundreds of years for it to fully decompose. Also, the location of recycling bins are not strategically placed, hence, it is not fully optimized. The lack of awareness of recycling impedes the university’s vision of being a model for other educational institutions in Singapore.  

By removing single-use plastic in SIT@Dover, the amount of general waste generated in campus canteens will decrease. Thus, having a ban on the provision of disposable plastic cutleries and take-out box by the school can further control the use of single-use plastics in the campus. To facilitate the removal of disposable cutleries and take-out box in canteens, reusable bento kits would be issued to new students during freshman orientation. Bento kits will also be given out to current SIT students as well. Locations of recycling bins in the campus can be strategically placed, to encourage more people to recycle hence, reducing the amount of waste generated in SIT.  

Purpose statement: 

The purpose of this proposal is to convince SIT Estates Division to include “No sales of single-use plastic” (eg. plastic utensils, takeaway containers, cups, and bags) condition into the leasing agreement between SIT and vendors and provide new students at SIT@Dover with bento starter kits.  

  Background: 

This proposal has been developed in response to the campaign “Zero Waste Nation” created by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) for finding solutions to the issue of increasing waste generation in Singapore.

Under the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint 2015, Singapore aims towards becoming a zero waste nation by 2030 (MEWR, 2017). This campaign focuses on the 3R; Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. It is a joint effort between the government, businesses, and the community so as to build a sustainable Singapore for its citizens and future generations to come. Figures from the National Environment Agency (NEA) have shown that out of the 7.7 million tonnes of waste generated in 2017, only 61% of the waste are being recycled. The amount of waste generated peaked at 2016 at 7.8 million tonnes.  

The extensive waste generation has resulted in a decrease in the capacity of Singapore’s only landfill, Pulau Semakau, to store these waste. At the rate of which waste is generated, the lifespan of the landfill is expected to shorten by 10 years (mewr.gov.sg, 2018). Ultimately, the resultant waste generated are negatively impacted due to lack of awareness on what can and cannot be recycled, how to recycle, and the importance of recycling.  

Therefore, reducing single-use plastic waste in Singapore Institute of Technology at Dover (SIT@Dover) is the first step towards a zero waste nation campaign.  

Plastics have a huge carbon footprint and the resources used in the production and disposal of plastic emits toxic chemicals. Specific infrastructure is needed to recycle certain plastic materials while non-recyclable plastics are sent to incinerator plants which result in the release of toxic gas into the environment. Only a meager 6% of the total plastic waste generated was recycled despite it consisted of up to 10% of total waste generated (NEA, 2017).  

Single-use plastics are disposable plastics such as utensils, straws, cups, drink stirrers, and bags. These plastics are for one-time usage before they are being thrown or recycled away. An article by Hicks (2018) from the Eco-Business observed that a customer used nine plastic bags to buy six buns. This shows the over-reliance on plastic bags due to its convenience. The convenience that single-use plastic provides will result in the increase in plastic waste generated which leads to dire consequences. 

According to SIT mission statement “To develop individuals who build on their interests and talents to impact society by providing a nurturing environment that is uniquely enriched by world-class partners”, the school aims to develop individuals to create an impact to the society. This is in line with the goal of being the first educational institution to take action against single-use plastic. By eliminating single-use plastic completely and reducing plastic waste, SIT will be a role model to other educational institutes in Singapore, encouraging them to follow suit. Ultimately, this will benefit the environment and SIT will gain recognition for being a pioneer in this project. 

Current implementation 

• Recycle bins are placed in Canopy canteen, but not found in iEat canteen. 

Benefits 

1.1 Eliminating single-use plastics 

By eliminating single-use plastic, the plastic waste generated from single-use plastic will decrease. The leasing agreement of “No sales of single-use plastic” between SIT and FNB (Food and Beverages) vendors will ensure that single-use plastics will not be used for takeaways in the canteens.  

Plan of action: 

Convince the director of estate division to include the “No sales of single-use plastic” condition into the leasing agreement between SIT and vendors. 

1.2 Bento box 

With each student owning a bento starter kit to themselves, we are able to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic. This also encourages students and faculty members to be environmentally friendly.  

Plan of action:  

Convince the director of finance and director of freshman orientation team, to have bento starter kits to be included in the freshman orientation goodie bag. Current students will also be given a starter kit.  

1.3 Recycle bin placement 

With the strategic placement of recycling bins, it encourages more people to recycle. When recycling bins are placed at locations which are distinct, it optimises the usage of recycling bins which then reduces the amount of waste generated in SIT.  

Plan of action: 

Refer to Appendix A for current locations of recycle bins in campus canteens, Canopy and iEat. Recycle bins are being situated in out of reach areas of the canteens 

Refer to Appendix B for proposed locations of recycle bins in campus canteens, Canopy and iEat. Recycle bins are strategically newly located to increase the presence of current recycling efforts done by the school, and also to maximize utilization.  

1.4 Recognition amongst educational institutions 

By eliminating single-use plastic completely and reducing plastic waste, SIT will be a role model to other educational institutes in Singapore, encouraging them to follow suit.  

1.5 Cut down cost 

The cost of operation for canteen vendors can be reduced, as they no longer need to provide disposable plastic utensils and take-out boxes.  

 Limitations 

• Having the current students to accept the new culture. 
• The inconvenience faced by students is a concern. Current students may not be accustomed to bringing their bento boxes to school.  
• Improper placement of recycle bins: By shifting the current recycle bins to more strategic location for easier usage, as the current recycle bin placement is very inconvenient and out of place.  

 Proposed Solution: 

The proposed solution would be to provide all students at SIT bento starter kit and convince SIT Estates Division to include “No sales of single-use plastic” condition into the leasing agreement between SIT and vendors.  

Suitable bento starter kits will be selected based on criterias such as the costs, design, and suitability. After selecting a suitable vendor, procuring of bento starter kits will be made. Each student at SIT@Dover will be given a bento starter kit so as to allow them to either bring their own food to school or take away canteen food in these bento boxes.  

The team at Student Life will be tasked to create posters and signages on raising awareness and stating the purpose of this project. Use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram is also another platform to raise publicity amongst the SIT community. Educational events and workshops will be organised in order to orientate the students into this new culture.  

In the leasing agreement between SIT and vendors, the term and condition of “No sales of single-use plastic” will be included. Both the old and new vendors must adhere to the condition before being able to continue or run their business in SIT@Dover.  

Having the recycle bins to be more strategically placed in more visible areas in Canopy and iEat canteens, to increase visual presence of the bins to students. Recycle bins will be used more often after the public are more aware of the locations of the bins.