Background

The National Environment Agency (NEA) signed the Singapore Packaging Agreement with industry on 5 June 2007, World Environment Day. The Agreement, which came into effect on 1 Jul 2007, provides a platform and structure for industries to collaborate with the government to reduce packaging waste over a 5-year period. The Agreement is voluntary, so as to provide flexibility for the industries to adopt cost-effective solutions to reduce waste.   

Domestic waste formed 58% of all waste disposed of in Singapore in 2009 and approximately one third of this waste was from packaging materials. 

Food and beverage (F&B) packaging constitutes more than 50% of all household packaging waste. Therefore the Agreement first targeted F&B packaging. However from 1 Oct 2009, the Agreement was extended to cover all types of product packaging, including detergents, toiletries, personal care products and household products, in addition to packaging for F&B products. Apart from manufacturers and users of packaging, new signatories also include building owners/managers of hotels and shopping malls, whose main role in the Agreement is to provide recycling facilities for building occupants.

Progress Update

Since the signing of the Agreement, signatories have made commendable progress in reducing waste. To date, the participating companies have cumulatively reduced about 7,100 tonnes of packaging waste, saving the companies S$14.9 million in the process.  They have achieved waste reduction through various initiatives, such as reducing the size and thickness of packaging,  eliminating unnecessary packaging, switching to reusable packaging in logistic processes, or changing the way products are packaged.

The number of signatories has also increased.  As of 27 Oct 2011, there were 128 signatories of the Singapore Packaging Agreement. Click here for the full list of signatories.

3R Packaging Awards 2011

Since 2008, the 3R Packaging Awards (Distinction and Merit Awards) have been presented annually to SPA signatories who have made notable achievements and contributions towards the 3Rs (reducing, reusing and recycling) of packaging waste.  In 2010, another level of awards, namely, the Platinum and Gold Awards, were introduced to recognise signatories for their sustained efforts in reducing packaging waste.  Platinum Awards are presented to signatories who have received Distinction Awards for two consecutive years. Gold Awards are given to signatories who have received a Merit Award and a Merit or Distinction Award in two consecutive years.  

In 2011, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, presented the 3R Packaging Awards to 21 outstanding signatories at the opening session of the Third Meeting of the Regional 3R Forum in Asia, on 5 Oct 2011.

The following signatories received awards in 2011:

Platinum Award Winners

1. Nestlé Singapore (Pte) Ltd  
2. Sunfresh Singapore Pte Ltd
3. Tetra Pak Jurong Pte Ltd

Gold Award Winners

1. Ha Li Fa Pte Ltd
2. Hock Lian Huat Foodstuff Industry Pte Ltd
3. Kentucky Fried Chicken Management Pte Ltd  
4. McDonald’s Restaurants Pte Ltd
5. Starlite Printers (Far East) Pte Ltd
6. Thong Siek Food Industry Pte Ltd
7. Wyeth Nutritionals (Singapore) Pte Ltd

Distinction Award Winners

1. Asia Pacific Breweries (Singapore) Pte Ltd
2. City Developments Ltd (City Square Mall)
3. CROWN Beverage Cans Singapore Pte Ltd
4. Nestlé Singapore (Pte) Ltd
5. Sunfresh Singapore Pte Ltd
6. Tetra Pak Jurong Pte Ltd

Merit Award Winners

1. Boncafé International Pte Ltd
2. Dell Global B.V.
3. F&N Foods Pte Ltd
4. Ha Li Fa Pte Ltd 
5. Hock Lian Huat Foodstuff Industry Pte Ltd  
6. Kentucky Fried Chicken Management Pte Ltd  
7. McDonald’s Restaurants Pte Ltd
8. Starlite Printers (Far East) Pte Ltd  
9. Thong Siek Food Industry Pte Ltd  
10. Toshiba Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
11. Toshiba TEC Singapore Pte Ltd
12. Wanin Industries Pte Ltd
13. Winrigo (S) Pte Ltd & Prima Food Pte Ltd
14. Wyeth Nutritionals (Singapore) Pte Ltd

The details of the packaging initiatives undertaken by the 3R Packaging Award 2011 Winners can be found here.

Joining the Agreement

Companies that are currently not parties to the Singapore Packaging Agreement, but wish to join the Agreement may contact the Singapore Packaging Agreement Secretariat at spa@nea.gov.sg , Tel: 6395 4341 / 6395 4340, or any of the NEA personnel listed below:

Click here for the Singapore Packaging Agreement Booklet

Click here for Annex 1 - Desired outcomes and key performance indicators

Click here for Annex 2 - Sector Action Plans

Click here for the 3R Packaging Awards 2008 Booklet

Click here for the 3R Packaging Awards 2009 Booklet

Click here for the 3R Packaging Awards 2010 Booklet

Click here for application form to participate in the Singapore Packaging Agreement