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Plastic Recycling in Singapore

Singapore’s Plastic Recycling Trends

2024 Plastic Recycling Rate 5%
2023 Plastic Recycling Rate 5%
2022 Plastic Recycling Rate 6%

According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), plastic recycling rates in Singapore have remained persistently low.

In 2024, Singapore generated 918 thousand tonnes of plastic waste, but only 5% (43 thousand tonnes) were recycled. The global production and consumption of plastics have been rising rapidly, largely driven by single-use plastics such as disposable cups, utensils, straws, bags, and food packaging — all designed for convenience but discarded immediately after use.

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What is Plastic Recycling?

Plastic recycling is the process of converting used plastics into new materials, reducing the demand for virgin plastic production. By reprocessing discarded plastics, we conserve resources, lower carbon emissions, and reduce the amount of waste sent for incineration.

However, many plastics that reach recycling bins are contaminated with food residues or made from mixed materials, making segregation and recycling more difficult. Contamination lowers recycling efficiency and increases processing costs.

For example, a typical plastic drink bottle may include:

1. Bottle – PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
2. Label – PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
3. Cap – HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)

While clean PET bottles are highly recyclable, separating PVC labels and HDPE caps is complex and costly. As a result, many mixed or contaminated plastics are sent for incineration instead of recycling.

It’s important to note that plastic identification codes (1–7) do not mean an item is recyclable — they simply classify plastics by material type to aid sorting.

Plastic recycling in a transparent container.

The process of converting used plastics into new materials.

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Types of Plastics We Recycle

Semiconductor FOSB and FOUP containers stacked for recycling

FOUP and FOSB

IC trays stacked on wooden pallets for recycling in Singapore

IC Tray

PE film plastic waste prepared for recycling in Singapore

PE Film

Polystyrene (PS) reels stacked for recycling in Singapore

PS Reel

Note: Always remove contaminants from the recyclables, as these lower the value of recyclables.

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Plastic Recycling Collection
Price Options

This pricing table applies only to recyclable materials such as industrial plastic, paper, and metal.
Different recyclable materials may be combined, provided they are properly sorted and separated.

For general waste or bulky waste disposal, please refer to our Waste Collection & Disposal services.

Self Drop-Off

$Freeno collection fee
  • No minimum weight required
  • Self drop-off at our warehouse
  • Receive cash rebates

Ad-Hoc Collection

$90trip
  • No minimum weight required
  • Pickup from your location
  • No cash rebates

Regular Collection

$Freeno collection fee
  • Minimum 500kg of recyclables
  • Pickup from your location
  • Receive cash rebates

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Our Plastic Recycling Process

At Gee Hoe Seng, we manage the first and most critical stages of Singapore’s plastic recycling chain — collection and sorting. We ensure that recyclable plastics are properly recovered, separated by type, and prepared for downstream recycling partners who handle washing, shredding, and reprocessing.

Together, this multi-step process turns discarded plastics into reusable materials that can be transformed into new products. The process of plastic recycling generally involves the following stages:

1. Plastic Collection

Plastic waste is collected from offices, factories, warehouses, and commercial buildings using our own fleet of vehicles. Our in-house team ensures timely, and compliant collection for all clients.

2. Plastic Sorting

Collected plastics are sorted by type — such as PET bottles, HDPE containers, and PP packaging. Proper segregation improves recycling efficiency and material recovery.

3. Washing & Shredding

Recyclable plastics are thoroughly washed to remove contaminants and residues. They are then shredded into small flakes or pellets to prepare for reprocessing.

4. Melting & Reforming

Clean plastic flakes are melted and extruded into granules, which can be used as raw materials for manufacturing new plastic products.

5. Product Manufacturing

The recycled plastic granules are used to produce new materials such as packaging, bottles and containers, completing the recycling loop.