Bill to amend Resource Sustainability Act 2019 introduced to address packaging and food waste

27 February 2023

On 6 February 2023, the Resource Sustainability (Amendment) Bill (“Bill”) was introduced in Parliament. The National Environment Agency (“NEA”) also published a press release on the Bill.

The Bill seeks to amend the Resource Sustainability Act 2019 to reduce packaging and food waste and drive behavioural changes across Singapore to reduce waste and increase recycling through the following three measures:

  • Disposable carrier bag charge: The disposable carrier bag charge will apply to disposable carrier bags of all material types and will come into effect in mid-2023. Larger supermarket operators with an annual turnover of more than S$100 million will be required to charge a minimum of five cents for each disposable carrier bag provided to shoppers at their physical stores. Such supermarket operators will be required to publish information on the number of bags issued, amount of proceeds received from the bag charge, and how the proceeds are used including the support of charitable or environmental causes. NEA encourages supermarket operators with an annual turnover of less than S$100 million to voluntarily implement their own bag charges.
  • Beverage container return scheme: The beverage container return scheme applies a small deposit when consumers purchase certain
    pre-packaged drinks. Consumers can claim a full refund of the deposit by returning their empty beverage containers at designated return points. This scheme will contribute to Singapore’s zero waste efforts by aggregating clean and high-quality recyclables, supporting the development of the recycling industry.
  • Food waste reporting framework: The food waste reporting framework will require the segregation and treatment of food waste generated in prescribed buildings and the reporting on the treatment of such food waste.

Reference materials

The following materials are available on Singapore Statutes Online sso.agc.gov.sg and the NEA website www.nea.gov.sg: