National Environment Agency's 3R Fund Opens For Applications

National Environment Agency's 3R Fund Opens For ApplicationsNews Release from National Environment Agency. The National Environment Agency’s S$8 million 3R (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) Fund was officially launched by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, at the 3R Seminar today. Now open for applications, the 3R Fund will co-fund up to 80% of the qualifying costs of new waste minimisation and recycling projects, subject to a cap of S$1 million per project. The Fund will help organisations overcome the start-up costs for facilities, and offset part of the cost of technologies to further increase recycling. With this funding, the recycling industry has a better chance of achieving critical mass in the collection of recyclables for economic scale of operation. Singapore companies and organisations can use the fund to minimise waste especially in waste streams with low recycling rates such as food, plastic and glass, as well as to introduce recycling in waste streams such as used household batteries, which are currently not recycled. The Fund complements NEA’s current 3R initiatives, which include the National Recycling Programme, Singapore Packaging Agreement, provision of recycling bins in public places, mandatory recycling receptacles in condominiums, schools’ recycling programme, public awareness and education programmes, development of the waste recycling industry, as well as building capabilities in waste management and recycling. "The 3R Fund is part of our efforts to encourage companies and organisations to find innovative ways to minimise or reduce the amount of waste going to our incineration plants and thus extend the lifespan of Semakau Landfill" said Mr Andrew Tan, Chief Executive Officer of NEA. Consultations with various waste management and recycling companies have shown a high level of interest in applying for funding to recycle more food, glass, horticultural and electronic wastes. Case study – The Regent Singapore An example of an organisation which has taken the initiative to introduce its own 3R programme is The Regent Singapore. The hotel has been running a waste recycling programme since 2007. Apart from packaging waste such as cardboard, paper, plastic containers, drink cans and glass bottles, which are sent to various recycling facilities, the segregated food waste from the kitchens and restaurants are also sent for recycling. Through its efforts, The Regent has managed to reduce the amount of waste disposed of by more than 40% from 720 tonnes per year to 400 tonnes per year. Potential projects that could be supported under the 3R Fund include waste sorting systems, separate collection of food and garden waste from landed homes, hawker centres and schools, the separate collection and recycling of batteries, and the separate collection of glass from F&B outlets. The Fund is meant only for new projects and any Singapore-registered organisation, including companies, non-profit organisations, town councils, schools, institutions and industry associations are eligible to apply. Application forms can be downloaded at http://app2.nea.gov.sg/funds_home.aspx.