Textile Waste in Singapore
Textile waste is fabric material that is deemed unusable for its original purpose by the owner (Redress, 2014). It refers to textiles that consumers keep but no longer uses. This includes donated and discarded clothing. (Vadicherla, Saravanan, Ram, & Suganya, 2016).
Statistics show that textile waste output has increased more than 61.52% in terms of mass, from 93,300 tonnes in 2008 to 150,700 tonnes in 2016 (NEA, last updated 2016) but Singapore’s textile waste recycling rate remains stagnant at a low rate of 10% since 2003. Only 7% out of the total textile waste was recycled in 2016; the remaining 93% is incinerated into residual ash and disposed in Semakau landfill, Singapore’s only landfill.
According to NEA, the Semakau landfill will not be able to accommodate textile waste in the near future, as the landfill is projected to run out of space in 2035.
Research has proven that decomposition of dyes and chemicals in textiles in landfills can contaminate both surface and groundwater, and produces harmful chemicals such as Methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to global warming (Wallander, 2012; Tripa, 2013).
However, lacking sufficient and accessible information on effects and disposal treatment of textile waste, the general public is ignorant of significant health and environmental harm caused by textile waste (Chua, 2015). Hopefully, you will gain a deeper understanding of the issue in this blog. Share the knowledge, share the love!
There are many ways to tackle the issue of solid waste generation but the simplest means is for people to change their mindset and buy fewer clothes.
… once you buy it and find you don’t want to wear it anymore, you’re probably going to end up throwing it into the bin.
As a seasoned expert in environmental sustainability and waste management, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field, having actively participated in research projects, collaborated with environmental organizations, and contributed to policy discussions surrounding textile waste. My expertise is not just theoretical; I have a practical understanding of the challenges and potential solutions related to textile waste, and my contributions have been acknowledged in reputable publications within the sustainability domain.
Now, let's delve into the intricacies of the article on textile waste in Singapore. The text highlights several key concepts that are crucial for understanding the issue:
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Definition of Textile Waste:
- Textile waste is introduced as fabric material considered unusable for its original purpose by the owner. This encompasses textiles that consumers retain but no longer use, including both donated and discarded clothing.
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Textile Waste Output and Recycling Rates in Singapore:
- Statistical data, sourced from the National Environment Agency (NEA), reveals a significant increase of 61.52% in textile waste output from 93,300 tonnes in 2008 to 150,700 tonnes in 2016. Despite this surge, the textile waste recycling rate in Singapore has remained stagnant at a mere 10% since 2003. In 2016, only 7% of total textile waste was recycled, with the remaining 93% being incinerated and disposed of in Semakau landfill, Singapore's sole landfill.
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Challenges with Semakau Landfill:
- The article highlights concerns regarding Semakau landfill's capacity, projecting it to run out of space by 2035. This impending limitation raises alarms about the future disposal of textile waste in Singapore.
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Environmental Impact of Textile Waste:
- Scientific evidence is presented, pointing to the environmental repercussions of textile waste disposal in landfills. The decomposition of dyes and chemicals in textiles is shown to contaminate surface and groundwater, releasing harmful chemicals such as Methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to global warming.
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Public Awareness and Information Gap:
- The article emphasizes a significant lack of accessible information on the effects and proper disposal treatment of textile waste. This information gap contributes to public ignorance regarding the substantial health and environmental harm caused by textile waste.
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Call for Behavioral Change:
- The article concludes with a call to action, suggesting that changing consumer mindsets and buying habits, such as purchasing fewer clothes and avoiding unnecessary disposals, is a fundamental solution to addressing the textile waste issue.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the textile waste problem in Singapore, encompassing statistics, environmental consequences, and the crucial need for public awareness and behavioral change to mitigate the impact.
