Plastic pollution is threatening the marine ecosystem worldwide.
Over the next ten years, the amount of marine plastic waste will double and if we do not act, in 2050 the oceans will contain more plastic waste than fish by weight. HER Planet Earth is committed to reversing that trend.
How much plastic waste does Singapore generate?
930 thousand metric tons of plastic waste were produced in 2019. That's about 150kg per person every year!
Out of this, only 7 percent is recycled. The rest is incinerated and sent to the landfill.
930 thousand metric tons of plastic waste were produced in 2019. That's about 150kg per person every year!
Out of this, only 7 percent is recycled. The rest is incinerated and sent to the landfill.
Is it OK to incinerate plastic?
Not really. Singapore has highly efficient incinerators that capture most of the toxic gases created when plastic is burned. However, these incinerators also generate large amounts of carbon dioxide - about as much as a coal power plant! Dumping all this carbon dioxide into the atmosphere accelerates global warming and climate change. The ash that remains after the plastic is burned remains toxic. The only place we have to put it is the landfill on Pulau Semakau. At current rates, Semakau landfill will be completely full by 2035. Nearly all plastic is made from fossil fuels. The process of extracting and transporting fossil fuels contaminates our air and water, and threatens the lives of plants and animals.
Not really. Singapore has highly efficient incinerators that capture most of the toxic gases created when plastic is burned. However, these incinerators also generate large amounts of carbon dioxide - about as much as a coal power plant! Dumping all this carbon dioxide into the atmosphere accelerates global warming and climate change. The ash that remains after the plastic is burned remains toxic. The only place we have to put it is the landfill on Pulau Semakau. At current rates, Semakau landfill will be completely full by 2035. Nearly all plastic is made from fossil fuels. The process of extracting and transporting fossil fuels contaminates our air and water, and threatens the lives of plants and animals.
Can we recycle plastic?
Some plastic items can be recycled. These include drink bottles, shampoo bottles, plastic bags, bread wrappers, and some takeaway food containers. These items will be labelled with a "recycling" symbol (see below). However, a lot of plastic waste cannot be recycled. The most common types of plastic trash in Singapore are takeaway containers, plates, straws, and utensils. These cannot be recycled because they are contaminated with food waste. If these items are thrown into the recycling bin, the entire batch of recyclable items becomes contaminated and has to be incinerated. In Singapore, as much as 50 percent of recyclables are contaminated! Check for the "recycling" symbol before putting plastics in the recycling bin. Wash all plastics clean of food waste and residue before recycling.
Some plastic items can be recycled. These include drink bottles, shampoo bottles, plastic bags, bread wrappers, and some takeaway food containers. These items will be labelled with a "recycling" symbol (see below). However, a lot of plastic waste cannot be recycled. The most common types of plastic trash in Singapore are takeaway containers, plates, straws, and utensils. These cannot be recycled because they are contaminated with food waste. If these items are thrown into the recycling bin, the entire batch of recyclable items becomes contaminated and has to be incinerated. In Singapore, as much as 50 percent of recyclables are contaminated! Check for the "recycling" symbol before putting plastics in the recycling bin. Wash all plastics clean of food waste and residue before recycling.
Are plant-based and biodegradable plastics better than normal plastics?
In short, no. Plant-based plastics, or bioplastics, are made from plants such as potatoes and corn. Once made, plant-based plastics behave just like ordinary plastics, meaning that they are just as hard to break down and generate just as much pollution. Biodegradable plastics contain additives that supposedly help them break down completely in the environment. However, studies have shown that this only happens under controlled, high-temperature settings, such as industrial composting facilities. The additives also make biodegradable plastics impossible to recycle in standard recycling facilities. Biodegradable plastics create even worse environmental impacts than ordinary plastics. Just like ordinary plastics, biodegradable plastics break down into smaller pieces when exposed to sunlight, except they do so much faster. Most of these tiny pieces, known as microplastics, eventually get carried by wind and rain into the ocean. There, they will continue breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces,but they will never go away.
In short, no. Plant-based plastics, or bioplastics, are made from plants such as potatoes and corn. Once made, plant-based plastics behave just like ordinary plastics, meaning that they are just as hard to break down and generate just as much pollution. Biodegradable plastics contain additives that supposedly help them break down completely in the environment. However, studies have shown that this only happens under controlled, high-temperature settings, such as industrial composting facilities. The additives also make biodegradable plastics impossible to recycle in standard recycling facilities. Biodegradable plastics create even worse environmental impacts than ordinary plastics. Just like ordinary plastics, biodegradable plastics break down into smaller pieces when exposed to sunlight, except they do so much faster. Most of these tiny pieces, known as microplastics, eventually get carried by wind and rain into the ocean. There, they will continue breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces,but they will never go away.
How does plastic affect oceans and marine animals?
Not all plastic waste gets incinerated. A lot of plastic, especially light items like straws and plastic bags, get blown or swept away into our drains and into the sea. Plastic makes up 90 percent of marine litter. Plastic waste hurts and kills marine animals. Small animals are smothered in plastic bags, while large animals such as turtles and dolphins get trapped in plastic nets and plastic rings. Entangled animals die a slow death from starvation and suffocation.
Not all plastic waste gets incinerated. A lot of plastic, especially light items like straws and plastic bags, get blown or swept away into our drains and into the sea. Plastic makes up 90 percent of marine litter. Plastic waste hurts and kills marine animals. Small animals are smothered in plastic bags, while large animals such as turtles and dolphins get trapped in plastic nets and plastic rings. Entangled animals die a slow death from starvation and suffocation.
What is plastic doing to our health?
Fish and shellfish consume tiny plastic pieces, which accumulate when they are eaten by larger fish. Plastic itself is toxic, but it also absorbs lots of poisonous chemicals from the ocean. Many of these fish are caught and eaten by humans, along with the plastics and chemicals that they contain. Essentially, you are eating the plastic you put into the ocean. We still don't fully understand what consuming plastics can do to the body. However, plastics contain chemicals that are known to cause cancer, birth defects, immune system suppression, reproductive problems, and developmental problems in children.
Fish and shellfish consume tiny plastic pieces, which accumulate when they are eaten by larger fish. Plastic itself is toxic, but it also absorbs lots of poisonous chemicals from the ocean. Many of these fish are caught and eaten by humans, along with the plastics and chemicals that they contain. Essentially, you are eating the plastic you put into the ocean. We still don't fully understand what consuming plastics can do to the body. However, plastics contain chemicals that are known to cause cancer, birth defects, immune system suppression, reproductive problems, and developmental problems in children.
Consider a Personal Ban on Plastic Bags
WHAT'S SO BAD ABOUT PLASTIC BAGS?
Plastic bags are not biodegradable. They fly off thrash piles, garbage trucks, and landfills, and then clog storm water infrastructure, float down waterways, and spoil the landscape. If all goes well, they end up in proper landfills where they may take 1,000 years or more to break down into ever smaller particles that continue to pollute the soil and water.
Plastic bags also pose a serious danger to birds and marine mammals that often mistake them for food. Floating plastic bags regularly fool sea turtles into thinking they are one of their favorite prey, jellyfish. Thousands of animals die each year after swallowing or choking on discarded plastic bags. This mistaken identity issue is apparently a problem even for camels in the Middle East!
Plastic bags exposed to sunlight for long enough do undergo physical breakdown. Ultra-violet rays turn the plastic brittle, breaking it into ever smaller pieces. The small fragments then mix with soil, lake sediments, are picked up by streams, or end up contributing to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and other oceanic trash deposits.
Finally, producing plastic bags, transporting them to stores, and bringing the used ones to landfills and recycling facilities require millions of gallons of petroleum, a non-renewable resource which can arguably be better used for more beneficial activities like transportation or heating.
STOP USING PLASTIC BAGS
Some businesses have stopped offering their customers plastic bags, and many communities are considering a ban on plastic bags - San Francisco was one of the first cities to do that in 2007. Some countries are experimenting with solutions like mandatory deposits, purchasing fees, and outright bans. Various grocery store chains now have policies to minimize use, including requesting a small fee to clients who would like plastic bags to be provided to them.
THE PLASTIC INDUSTRY RESPONDS
As with most environmental issues, the plastic bag problem is not as simple as it seems. Plastic industry groups like to remind us that compared to the paper bag alternative, plastic bags are light, have low transportation costs, and require comparatively little (non-renewable) resources to make, while generating less waste. They also are completely recyclable, provided your community has access to the right facilities. Their contribution to landfills is actually fairly small, and by the industry's estimate, 60% of people actually re-purpose and reuse their plastic bags. Of course, these arguments are less convincing when the comparisons are made against washable, sturdy reusable shopping bags.
Plastic bags are not biodegradable. They fly off thrash piles, garbage trucks, and landfills, and then clog storm water infrastructure, float down waterways, and spoil the landscape. If all goes well, they end up in proper landfills where they may take 1,000 years or more to break down into ever smaller particles that continue to pollute the soil and water.
Plastic bags also pose a serious danger to birds and marine mammals that often mistake them for food. Floating plastic bags regularly fool sea turtles into thinking they are one of their favorite prey, jellyfish. Thousands of animals die each year after swallowing or choking on discarded plastic bags. This mistaken identity issue is apparently a problem even for camels in the Middle East!
Plastic bags exposed to sunlight for long enough do undergo physical breakdown. Ultra-violet rays turn the plastic brittle, breaking it into ever smaller pieces. The small fragments then mix with soil, lake sediments, are picked up by streams, or end up contributing to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and other oceanic trash deposits.
Finally, producing plastic bags, transporting them to stores, and bringing the used ones to landfills and recycling facilities require millions of gallons of petroleum, a non-renewable resource which can arguably be better used for more beneficial activities like transportation or heating.
STOP USING PLASTIC BAGS
Some businesses have stopped offering their customers plastic bags, and many communities are considering a ban on plastic bags - San Francisco was one of the first cities to do that in 2007. Some countries are experimenting with solutions like mandatory deposits, purchasing fees, and outright bans. Various grocery store chains now have policies to minimize use, including requesting a small fee to clients who would like plastic bags to be provided to them.
THE PLASTIC INDUSTRY RESPONDS
As with most environmental issues, the plastic bag problem is not as simple as it seems. Plastic industry groups like to remind us that compared to the paper bag alternative, plastic bags are light, have low transportation costs, and require comparatively little (non-renewable) resources to make, while generating less waste. They also are completely recyclable, provided your community has access to the right facilities. Their contribution to landfills is actually fairly small, and by the industry's estimate, 60% of people actually re-purpose and reuse their plastic bags. Of course, these arguments are less convincing when the comparisons are made against washable, sturdy reusable shopping bags.
Watch 'A Plastic Ocean' Trailer
A Plastic Ocean is an adventure documentary shot on more than 20 locations over the past 4 years. Explorers Craig Leeson and Tanya Streeter and a team of international scientists reveal the causes and consequences of plastic pollution and share solutions.
A Plastic Ocean is an adventure documentary shot on more than 20 locations over the past 4 years. Explorers Craig Leeson and Tanya Streeter and a team of international scientists reveal the causes and consequences of plastic pollution and share solutions.
Start by doing your bit and help save our marine life.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE WAYS YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
BRING YOUR OWN SHOPPING BAG
The usefulness of these thin and easily ripped bags is extremely limited, yet according to one estimate, somewhere between five billion and one trillion plastic bags are used each year around the world. Although free to shoppers, these bags have a high environmental cost and are one of the most ubiquitous forms of garbage. Bringing your own plastic bag is common but good environmental advice, such good advice that some governments implement policies to encourage more people to do it. Disposable shopping bags have been banned in a number of cities around the world like San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Kigali, Mexico City, Rangoon, 12 cities in Australia and many others. In addition to bigger carryall bags, you can further reduce waste by bringing your own reusable produce bags or skipping them entirely.
STOP BUYING BOTTLED WATER
Unless there’s some kind of contamination crisis, plastic water bottles are an easy target for reducing waste. Instead, keep a refillable bottle handy.
BRING YOUR OWN THERMOS TO THE COFFEE SHOP
Speaking of refillable, bringing your own thermos for to-go coffee is another way to reduce your plastic footprint. Disposable coffee cups might look like paper but they’re usually lined with polyethylene, a type of plastic resin. In theory these materials can be recycled, but most places lack the infrastructure to do so. Then there are lids, stirrers, and coffee vendors that still use polystyrene foam cups—which can all be avoided with your own mug.
CHOOSE CARDBOARD OR PAPER OVER PLASTIC BOTTLES AND BAGS
Generally speaking, it’s easier to recycle cardboard than plastic, plus paper products tend to biodegrade more easily without adding a lot of weight to the product the way glass or aluminum can. So, when you have the choice, pick pasta in the box instead of pasta in a bag, or detergent in the box instead of the bottle. Even better would be to check for companies that source their cardboard sustainably or have a strong stance on deforestation.
SAY NO TO PLASTIC STRAWS
Whether for home use or when you’re ordering a drink at a bar or restaurant, plastic straws are often a single-use item that's just not necessary.
GET THE PLASTIC OFF YOUR FACE
Much of the plastic that’s polluting the oceans is microplastics, tiny chunks that are next to impossible to filter out. These plastics can come from bigger items breaking down, but they are also commonly added to consumer products like face wash and toothpaste. These little beads are intended to be exfoliators, but many wastewater treatment facilities aren’t able to stop them. There are many biodegradable alternatives, so avoid items with “polypropylene” or “polyethylene” on the ingredients list or consider making your own.
SKIP THE DISPOSABLE RAZOR
Instead of tossing a plastic razor in the trash every month, consider switching to a razor that lets your replace just the blade or even a straight razor.
SWITCH FROM DISPOSABLE DIAPERS TO CLOTH
If you’ve got a young baby, you know how many diapers can end up in the trash each day. We are pretty big fans of the reusable cloth option.
MAKE YOUR PERIOD WASTE-FREE
There are a number of non-disposable options out there to cut down on period waste, from the Diva Cup, to the Ruby Cup, to DIY-with-pride reusable pads. All these choices reduce incredible amount of packaging that most pads and tampons are encased in. If you’re not in a situation where giving up tampons is an option, consider skipping brands with plastic applicators.
RE-THINK YOUR FOOD STORAGE
Plastic baggies, plastic wrap, and plastic storage containers are worth re-evaluating. Instead of sandwich baggies, why not pack a bento box or a cute tiffin for lunch? Instead of throwing away plastic zipper bags or wrapping things in Saran wrap, why not use jars or glass containers in the fridge? When it comes to carryout, these types of containers be used instead of disposable ones—although it can definitely take a bit of courage and some explaining to help your local restaurants to understand.
SHOP IN BULK
For many households, the majority of plastic waste is generated in the kitchen. So one of the best ways to reduce the packaging waste madness is to bring your own bags and containers and stock up on bulk foods. Shopping with jars is a great option, and keep your eye out for brands with refilling stations.
It's time to rethink plastic and save our wildlife and our oceans.
The Singapore government has set targets of achieving a 70% national recycling rate and a 30% domestic recycling rate by 2030. We believe that we can help Singapore to meet and exceed these targets, by working together with government agencies, businesses, community groups and individuals. HER Planet Earth supports Zero Waste SG's Recycling Campaign in Singapore. The campaign provides information, incentives and resources to encourage people to recycle using the existing blue recycling bins in their estates, and to educate them on recycling correctly.
HER Planet Earth is a global women’s advocacy movement that promotes a deeper connection
between female empowerment and the integrity of the environment.
between female empowerment and the integrity of the environment.