Description of the issue
The amount of waste generated in Singapore has been increasing rapidly over the years, peaking at 2.55 million tonnes in 2005. Of these, about 54% of our waste is recycled. The remaining 46% are incinerated and land filled. These are not long term solutions as they are both costly and space consuming in the already land-scarce island. One organization in USA helps to solve this problem by buying back waste materials and recycling them into useful products for sale. The proceeds are then donated to the charity. By recycling the rubbish, USA managed to save energy, reduce greenhouse-gas emission, as well as reduce air pollution by 74%. However, can this solution solve the "rubbish" problem in Singapore and to what extent? In addition, will the Singaporeans support this organization if it were to be set up in Singapore? How many people will actually bring their rubbish to the organization and sell them for a few cents?


Research Topic :
Is buying back waste materials and recycling them into useful products a good way to conserve the environment and to what extent will Singaporeans support this movement?

Hypothesis:
It is predicted that recycling waste materials into useful products can not only reduce the amount of waste significantly but also bring benefits to the mankind. However, most people will not put in the extra effort to dispose their rubbish. This is not a long term solution.

Problem Statement:
The objective of this research study is to determine the extent which buying back waste materials and recycling them into useful products can conserve the environment. Another objective is to determine if Singaporeans will cultivate a habit in them to get rid of their garbage by selling them to recycle into useful products.

Purpose Statement:
The objective of this research report is to bring attention to the relevant government agencies: NEA & MEWR [Ministry of Environment and Water Resources] the usefulness of recycling waste and turning them into useful products. The agencies can then implement other measures to recycle waste. Another objective is to inculcate a sense of environmental spirit in Singaporeans through education. Singaporeans should be genuinely concerned for the environment and should be taught to care for the environment without constant reminders to do so.

Reasons for conducting survey:

The target group can be the typical household living in the HDB. They represent the majority of Singaporeans.
1) To understand how serious the problem of waste disposal is in Singapore by finding out how Singaporeans handle and dispose their waste.
2) To determine if an organization as mentioned above can be supported by most Singaporeans and can help Singapore solve the problem.
3) To determine if Singaporeans in general have the environmental spirit.

Based on the survey, the relevant authorities can then consider about the possibilities of setting up an organization in the hope of reducing the waste level in Singapore.

acknowledgement: Ministry of Environment and Water Resource.(29th April 2008). Policies, Clean Land. Retrieved on 5th August 2008. From:http://app.mewr.gov.sg/web/Contents/Contents.aspx?ContId=26)