Managing Waste in the Smart City of Singapore

Abstract

This study seeks to analyse the effectiveness of waste management in a highly developed, smart city like Singapore. It reviews the various approaches undertaken by the Singapore Government to align its waste management efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the UN 2030 Agenda. It also examines the contributions of other important stakeholders such as businesses and start-ups in the private sector, the so-called ‘informal sector’ and the wider community in managing waste. This research uses a qualitative methodology, through an integrative review of the literature, which offers insights into the challenges of waste management and in particular Singapore’s efforts in plastic waste management given its Smart Nation agenda. The findings and analysis reveal that while Singapore has taken some important first steps in raising awareness about the need to implement plastic and e-waste management practises, it is still very much a country in transition in the area of plastic waste management. The most pressing issue is about shifting consumption behaviour patterns in a manner that sees individual consumers becoming more active participants in the circular economy highlighting the significance of cultural norms in shaping household consumption behaviours.