Singapore is reviewing its Zero Waste Masterplan and 2030 recycling targets amid growing concerns that the country’s waste strategy is falling short of its original ambitions.

When the plan was launched in 2019, Singapore set a bold target of achieving a 70% recycling rate, but recent figures show a steady decline, raising questions about whether that goal is still achievable under current conditions.

As the Government prepares to review its masterplan, the bigger question is no longer just about hitting recycling targets — but whether Singapore’s current approach to waste is still fit for purpose in a rapidly changing global and environmental landscape.

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Terry van Gevelt, Associate Professor of Urban Sustainability, Singapore Management University (SMU) to find out more.