SG Recycle Winds Down Residential Paper Recycling After 4 Years
SG Recycle, a pioneer in smart paper collection, is winding down its residential recycling programme. By October, the company will remove 84 smart bins from Singapore's residential areas. This move comes after four years of operation and follows a decline in sponsorship and paper prices.
The decision to discontinue the paper recycling programme is a setback for Singapore's recycling efforts. The country's domestic recycling rate has plummeted to a 10-year low, with the latest figures showing just 11 per cent. SG Recycle's bins, which cost about S$300 (US$232) per month to operate, have been collecting 'clean, high-quality recyclables with low contamination rates'.
Despite the challenges, SG Recycle is not abandoning its mission. The company is seeking new partners to utilise its smart bins, which will be stored temporarily. It will also continue working with public waste collectors and exporting its smart recycling solutions abroad.
SG Recycle's paper recycling scheme, launched in 2019 with $1.4 million in seeding funding, recycled 220 tonnes of paper in the first half of 2023. While the company is closing its residential paper recycling programme, it remains committed to recycling and sustainable practices. It is now exploring new opportunities to make use of its smart bins and contribute to Singapore's recycling efforts.
