Towards a Zero Waste Singapore: Closing the Loop Through Sustainable Packaging Innovation

Singapore’s Zero Waste Masterplan was established in 2019 as a national vision to reduce the amount of waste sent to Semakau Landfill by 30% by 2030, extending its lifespan beyond 2035, the year it is projected to reach full capacity.

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The Masterplan promotes a future where waste is seen as a resource, not a burden, through:

● Reducing waste generation at the source;

● Increasing recycling and recovery of materials; and

● Strengthening partnerships among government, industry, and the community.

The circular economy is also a key pillar of the Zero Waste Masterplan. Unlike the traditional “take–make–dispose” model, it emphasises reuse, regeneration, and resource recovery, keeping materials in use for as long as possible and returning them safely to nature or production cycles.

One of the main goals of the Masterplan is to reduce the amount of waste sent to Semakau everyday from 0.36kg to 0.25kg per capita by 2030. As we are fast approaching this target date, it is vital that we play our part in managing packaging waste, particularly plastics. On average, a plastic disposable container and lid weigh around 30g to 50g. This means that cutting down on waste by 0.11kg is possible simply by reducing the use of approximately 5 disposable plastic containers per year.

Here at Ecorigin, our disposable paper plates, bowls, and take-out boxes are:

● Made from biobased and compostable materials

● Free from plastic coatings & PFAS

● Certified by BPI and TÜV OK compost Home

We aim to work with businesses to:

● Reduce packaging waste at the source through sustainable material design and supply chain integration;

● Develop biodegradable alternatives that ease reliance on incineration and reduce landfill pressure; and

● Partner with manufacturers to incorporate compostable materials into packaging systems.

The Masterplan is not just as a policy, but a call to action for businesses to rethink how materials are made, used, and disposed of. The shift to sustainable materials is crucial as Pulau Semakau, Singapore’s only landfill, faces full capacity by 2035. Every sustainable innovation today helps extend that timeline and protects future generations.

Discover how Ecorigin can help your business transition to zero waste packaging — contact us today.