Telling apart what can and cannot be recycled

Electronic, electrical waste don't belong in blue bins; if in doubt, ask Bloobin AI chatbot

- Zhaki Abdullah

Not sure if those old clothes or that takeaway box can go in the blue recycling bin in your housing estate? You are not alone.

As many as seven in 10 people here are not fully aware of what materials can be recycled, according to a 2022 report by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC). This often results in what is referred to as "wishcycling", defined as the practice of putting something in a recycling bin without being certain that it is actually recyclable.

While local statistics are not available, a 2022 report by British recycling campaign Recycle Now suggested that 84 per cent of households in Britain were contaminating their recycling by disposing of items such as toothpaste tubes and used paper towels in recycling bins.

SEC said the findings of its report could point to the need for greater efforts on consumer education to improve the Republic's recycling rate.

So just what can and cannot be recycled?

According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), paper, plastic, glass and metal items can be placed in the now-familiar blue recycling bins, but they should be cleaned and dried.

These include paper items such as cardboard boxes, egg trays and newspapers, as well as empty plastic drink or detergent bottles, glass cups and perfume bottles, and metal beverage cans.