R. Hirschmann
Research expert covering Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia
Sustainable consumer habits in Singapore - statistics & facts
In recent years, climate change and the impact of environmental degradation has become one of the most pressing issues facing countries and societies worldwide. The consequences of decades of rapid industrial growth, made possible by a heavy reliance on fossil fuels and exploiting natural resources, are progressively being felt, threatening the consumption-based modern economy. In light of this, sustainability has become an increasingly-touted concept in all aspects of life, from consumer goods to financial investments.
As a resource-poor country, Singapore is especially vulnerable to volatility in supplies of global commodities and resources. The country imports more than 90 percent of its food supply, whereas around half of its fresh water supply is imported from neighboring Malaysia. The lack of its own water supply places Singapore among the most water-stressed countries worldwide.
In 2001, the government introduced the National Recycling Program to increase the volume of waste recycled in the country and, in turn, reduce the volume of waste disposed. This is crucial to Singapore as its only landfill, Semakau Landfill, is forecast to reach its maximum capacity by 2035. As part of this campaign, recycling bins were placed in housing estates to encourage residents to recycle their domestic refuse. However, many residents were unsure of how to recycle correctly, and as much as 40 percent of the items thrown in recycling bins could not be recycled. Despite the campaign, most Singaporean households still do not recycle frequently.
This could also be observed among Singaporean consumers, where a majority of those polled were willing to make some changes in their lifestyles in response to climate change. However, the adoption of these changes is far from widespread. The consumption of red meat among Singaporeans remains high, and the use of reusable bags for shopping is still relatively low, contributing to Singapore’s position as the leading generator of single-use plastic waste per capita in the Asia Pacific region. For most Singaporean consumers, the immediate consequences to their being, such as convenience and cost, overrode the more abstract impact of their consumption habits on the environment.
As a resource-poor country, Singapore is especially vulnerable to volatility in supplies of global commodities and resources. The country imports more than 90 percent of its food supply, whereas around half of its fresh water supply is imported from neighboring Malaysia. The lack of its own water supply places Singapore among the most water-stressed countries worldwide.
Sustainable consumption habits in Singapore – more than just lip-service?
Singaporeans have long been urged by the government to adopt sustainable consumption habits. The first water conservation campaign was introduced in 1971, as the country faced the possibility of water rationing after a prolonged drought. Since then, the Public Utilities Board (PUB) has launched a series of campaigns to raise awareness of the need to conserve water, resulting in decreased per capita household water consumption.In 2001, the government introduced the National Recycling Program to increase the volume of waste recycled in the country and, in turn, reduce the volume of waste disposed. This is crucial to Singapore as its only landfill, Semakau Landfill, is forecast to reach its maximum capacity by 2035. As part of this campaign, recycling bins were placed in housing estates to encourage residents to recycle their domestic refuse. However, many residents were unsure of how to recycle correctly, and as much as 40 percent of the items thrown in recycling bins could not be recycled. Despite the campaign, most Singaporean households still do not recycle frequently.
Cost and convenience over environmental consequences
As the impact of climate change becomes harder to ignore, many consumers worldwide have started to make changes in their lives to mitigate these effects. This includes reducing their carbon footprint and the waste produced per person. In recent years, products and companies that cater to this ethos have gained in popularity among consumers and investors alike, as seen in the rapid growth of the plant-based meat sector.This could also be observed among Singaporean consumers, where a majority of those polled were willing to make some changes in their lifestyles in response to climate change. However, the adoption of these changes is far from widespread. The consumption of red meat among Singaporeans remains high, and the use of reusable bags for shopping is still relatively low, contributing to Singapore’s position as the leading generator of single-use plastic waste per capita in the Asia Pacific region. For most Singaporean consumers, the immediate consequences to their being, such as convenience and cost, overrode the more abstract impact of their consumption habits on the environment.
