From Waste to Wonder: Textile Recycling in Tanjong Pagar
Building a sustainable legacy- Zero-Waste Town
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A view of the LifeLine Clothing factory floor in Port Klang, Malaysia. Mountains of fabrics are piled on tables, about to be sorted by the factory's workers. (Photo: CNA/Try Sutrisno Foo)
Expanding textile waste recycling in our town
In our optimistic pursuit of a greener and more sustainable future, the Tanjong Pagar Town Council has partnered with textile recycler Life Line Clothing, as well as social enterprises Cloop and SusGain, to introduce 22 innovative textile recycling bins across our vibrant community.
This initiative aims to transform the way we approach textile waste management and is an exciting step toward building a circular economy.
Before the addition of 7 new bins last month, our residents have come together to make a noteworthy impact by recycling 61,2000 kilograms of textiles at 15 bins from May 2022 to Apr 2023.
Textile recycling bins are not only convenient but also accept a wide range of items. Residents can now drop off various textiles, including clothes, bags, shoes, accessories, belts, hats/caps, and household items such as toys, pillows, and linens, regardless of their condition.
This inclusive approach ensures that no textile goes to waste, and every item has the potential to be repurposed.
Once collected, the textiles embark on a journey toward a sustainable future!
They are transported to a depot in Tuas, where they are carefully consolidated into larger bales. From there, they make their way to LifeLine’s state-of-the-art recycling facility in Port Klang, Selangor. Here, a remarkable 55% of the textiles find new life through reuse.
For instance, shoes that have matching pairs are given a second chance. Even those deemed unfit for direct reuse have a purpose; the soles of sports shoes are transformed into rubber granules, which go on to create jogging tracks and playground surfaces.
But what about the remaining textiles?
Waste not, want not. They are ingeniously repurposed into other types of industrial materials or infrastructure reinforcements. This process ensures that every fiber is put to good use, leaving no room for waste.
In line with our commitment to sustainability, any residual waste that cannot be repurposed finds its way to a cement plant. Here, it undergoes a complex transformation, as it is burnt alongside coal to generate energy. The resulting residue is then used to produce cement, effectively avoiding the need for landfill disposal and reducing our carbon emissions in the process.
Reflecting on the past 12 months of our textile recycling programme, we are reminded of the power of collective action.
The success of this initiative has reinforced the importance of residents embracing the habit of recycling their unwanted clothing and household fabrics. By doing so, we divert these items from incinerators and landfills, significantly reducing our environmental impact and taking a substantial step towards a sustainable future.
To ensure easy access for all, the textile recycling bins are strategically located across our community.
You can find them at the following locations:
TPTC office at 166 Bukit Merah Central, 50 Dorset Road, 145 Mei Ling Street, 6 Holland Close, 35 Telok Blangah Rise, 127 Kim Tian Road, 85 Dawson Rd, 4 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, 35A Margaret Drive, 1 Jalan Bukit Merah, 75B Redhill Lane, 95A Henderson Road, 89 Commonwealth Drive, 40 Cambridge Road, 133 Clarence Lane, 36 Jalan Rumah Tinggi, 19 Queen’s Close, 135 Jalan Bukit Merah, 104 Spottiswoode Park, 61 Strathmore Ave, 5 Farrer Rd and 118 Bukit Merah View.
Let us make use of these bins as a symbol of our commitment to sustainability and as a catalyst for positive change.
Together, we can embrace these opportunities to reduce waste, conserve resources, and create a more sustainable and vibrant community! With each textile we recycle, we contribute to a brighter future for Tanjong Pagar and set an example for Singapore to follow.
Steady rise in e-waste recycling highlights progress, yet calls for greater action remain
As our community continues its march towards a more sustainable future, the steady rise in e-waste recycling stands as a testament to our collective efforts.
However, while we celebrate this progress, it is imperative to recognize that greater action is still needed to address the mounting challenges posed by electronic waste.
Residents of Tanjong Pagar can now dispose of their unwanted Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) conveniently at the designated collection point located at the 93 Henderson Road bin center. Situated adjacent to the basketball court near the carpark, this initiative underscores our commitment to promoting responsible e-waste management.
Tanjong Pagar Town Council, in collaboration with Alba Singapore, appointed as the Producer Responsibility Scheme (PRS) Operator for Electrical and Electronic Waste by the National Environment Agency, is spearheading this vital effort.
Operating daily from 9 am to 5 pm, the PMD collection drive will run until the 31st of December, providing residents ample opportunity to contribute to this crucial recycling endeavor. While this represents a significant step forward, its important to acknowledge that our journey toward effective e-waste management is ongoing.
The collection of electronic waste has shown promising growth, with a total of 71,300 kg collected between May 2022 and April 2023. This figure signifies a modest increase compared to the 68,348 kg of e-waste collected in the preceding year. While this upward trend is encouraging, there remains ample room for improvement.
Our Town Council has implemented multiple avenues for e-waste collection and bulky waste removal services, ensuring the safe disposal of electronic items. Additionally, our quarterly E-Drive collection programs further bolster our recycling efforts. We have also embarked on a trial program introducing e-bins in HDB void decks, specifically designed to collect light bulbs and household batteries.
Tanjong Pagar Town Council was chosen as one of the selected Town Councils to trial this pioneering initiative. Over a period spanning from September 2022 to March 2023, we successfully introduced e-bins in the void decks of 14 HDB blocks within the Henderson-Dawson and Tanjong Pagar-Tiong Bahru divisions.
The environmental impact of e-waste necessitates our unwavering commitment to responsible recycling practices. By embracing these efforts, we can reduce the strain on our ecosystem and pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
We invite all residents of Tanjong Pagar to actively participate in e-waste recycling initiatives and take advantage of the PMD collection drive at the designated location!
