Always in a flap about what goes in which bin? We've scoured the interwebs to bring you this comprehensive A–Z guide to recycling in Singapore.
Always worried about what can and can’t be recycled in Singapore? Want to be sure what to tell the kids about that pizza box or post-party gift wrap? Don’t worry, parents: we’ve got your back. Now you can have the confidence to turn your household and its mini-inhabitants into the next-gen of eco-warriors. Read our easy-as-anything A-Z guide to recycling in Singapore. Educate yourself, then sit back all smug with your newfound knowledge about all things recyclable (and non-recyclable!) in Singapore. You’re welcome!
A-Z GUIDE TO RECYCLING IN SINGAPORE
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Aerosol cans – Metal recycling. Make sure they are empty first!
Aluminium cans – Rinse where necessary, then put in with Metal recycling.
Aluminium foil and containers – Make sure it’s clean. Foil can be scrunched up first, then put into the recycling.
B
Batteries (single-use and rechargeable) – Dispose of as general waste.
Batteries (mobile phones) – See Mobile phone batteries.
Beauty products – Make sure that these are thoroughly clean. Then hotfoot it to an Origins store at ION Orchard, NEX Mall and Centrepoint Mall. The brand accepts any empty containers regardless of brand, as well as compacts with mirrors!
Bed linen – Can it be donated? Don’t forget you can also use old fabric as cleaning rags or for insulation. Consider donating to Greensquare if you have bed linen in good condition. There are lots of dropoff points around Singapore, and if you have other unwanted fabrics (like clothing, shoes, accessories and household linens), you can arrange for a free collection service (must be over 15kg). Greensquare will collect at your doorstep. If it’s damaged or unusable, it’s in with the general waste.
Blister packs – Finished a strip of pills? Those blister packs need to go in the general waste.
Books – Donate or sell where you can. Otherwise, these can be recycled in the Paper bin.
Bottles (glass or plastic) – Rinse and ensure they are clean. Then into the recycling! Be sure to put metal bottle tops in the right recycling bin, too.
Bottle tops – Can be recycled – metal or plastic, depending on the material.
Bric-a-brac – Donate if possible. Otherwise, general waste.
Bubble wrap – NEA states it can be recycled with plastics.
C
Cables – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details).
Cameras – Sell (and buy) used household appliances, sporting goods, computers, cameras, TVs, musical instruments, etc. at Cash Converters outlets.
Cans, drink – Metal. Ensure they are washed out first.
Cardboard – Can be recycled, whether it’s coated or not.
Car stereos – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details).
Cartridges (ink) – Drop your used ink and toner cartridges (regardless of brand) in Project Homecoming collection boxes located at selected libraries island-wide.
CDs and CD casing – In with plastics, according to NEA! Huzzah! CDs can also be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details).
Chopsticks (disposable) – Disposable wooden chopsticks are general waste.
Clothes hangers (plastic) – Can be recycled!
Clothing and textiles – Can it be donated or sold? If not, you can also use the old fabric as cleaning rags or for insulation. Consider donating to Greensquare if you have clothes in good condition. There are lots of dropoff points around Singapore, and if you have lots of unwanted clothing, shoes, accessories and household linens, you can arrange for a free collection service (must be over 15kg), where Greensquare will collect at your doorstep. If it’s damaged or unusable, it’s in with the general waste.
Coffee cups – You might think these are paper, but they are actually coated with a thin layer of plastic, which is super hard to separate. Meaning it’s general waste for these. Best option: use a reusable cup.
Coffee cup lids – The plastic is usually super low quality, meaning it’s not recyclable. Use. Your. Own. Cup.
Coffee pods (Nespresso) – Request a Recycling Bag when you purchase your coffee, then fill with used coffee capsules. Once full, you can then pass it to the courier when they deliver your next order, or drop it off at a Nespresso boutique.
Computers and computer accessories – If you have a DELL product, it offers a takeback service. Also, if you’ve just purchased a new DELL system, monitor or printer, you can use the service to recycle any manufacturer’s brand. You can sell and buy used household appliances, sporting goods, computers, cameras, TVs, musical instruments, etc. at Cash Converters outlets.
Computer mice – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details).
Cooking oil (leftover) – DO NOT pour it down the sink! Many fats, once cooled, will solidify, meaning you can pop it in the general waste as a solid form. Otherwise, once cooled, pour into a container and throw that out. Don’t forget you’re good to use some fats a couple of times for the same purpose.
Cups (ceramic) – Donate or sell if possible.
Cutlery, disposable (plastic) – General waste for these.
Cutlery (metal) – Donate or sell if possible.
D
Docking station – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details).
Drink carton – Wash out thoroughly. Add to Paper bin after flattening.
Drinking glasses, broken – Broken glass is hazardous to the people who collect and sort your recycling. Your best bet is to wrap it up in some newspaper and then discard in the general waste.
DVDs – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details).
DVD players – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details). All deposits must be within the dimensions 47cm x 12 cm, so it can fit through the slot.
E
Egg cartons (cardboard) – Recyclable in your Paper bin.
Egg cartons (plastic) – Yep, this is good for recycling!
Electrical cables – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details).
Electronic toys – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details). All deposits must be within the dimensions 47cm x 12 cm, so it can fit through the slot.
Envelopes (including with plastic windows) – With or without the plastic windows, chuck these in with your paper recycling.
Eyewear/glasses – Visio Optical will accept donated old or new spectacles and sunglasses that are in usable conditions. They will clean and prepare them to be re-used by people in financial difficulty. Drop them off or post them to the store at 43 Holland Drive 01-67, Singapore 270043.
F
Foam (i.e. expanded polystyrene or EPS) – General waste.
Food scraps/waste – General waste.
Fridges – Classified as bulky waste, so check in with your local town council or the public waste collector servicing your estate. You could also engage any licensed waste collector to provide the removal service. Otherwise, if it still works, you might want to consider reselling it on Cash Converters or list it on a secondhand site. There are also sites where you can give it away for free, such as Pass it On, YouSwop and Freecycle.
Fruit containers (plastic) – In with the Plastic bin.
Fruit/vegetable scraps – General waste.
Furniture (e.g. tables, chairs, beds, etc) – Classified as bulky waste, so check in with your local town council or the public waste collector servicing your estate. See if it can be sold first or donated, providing it is in good condition.
G
Garden waste (e.g. grass cuttings, prunings, weeds etc) – For landed estates, you can bag and place outside your unit on collection days.
Glasses (eyewear) – Visio Optical will accept donated old or new spectacles and sunglasses that are in usable conditions. Drop them off or post them to the store at 43 Holland Drive 01-67, Singapore 270043.
Glass jars and bottles – Be sure to rinse out where necessary, then they can be recycled with Glass. Don’t forget to chuck any metal lids in with Metals.
Glassware (cups, plates) – If it can’t be donated, then it can be put in with Glass, according to NEA.
Glassware, Pyrex – General waste.
H
Hard drives – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details).
I
Ice-cream container (plastic) – Plastic recycling.
J
Juice carton – Rinse out, then crush and add to Paper recycling bin.
Junk mail – Paper recycling.
K
Keyboards – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details).
Kitty litter – General waste.
L
Laptops – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details). Or drop off in a Singtel x SingPost ReCYCLE bin (check the website for a list of locations).
Light bulbs – Did you know Singapore’s IKEA stores will take your old light bulbs and recycle them for you? Head to the Sortera bins located near the wrapping counter. (Psst… it also accepts paper and plastic materials while you’re making a trip.)
Lithium-ion (Li-on) batteries – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details). Note: Tape up loose ends of the batteries, or seal them in ziplock bags before depositing them into the RENEW bins.
M
Magazines – Paper recycling.
Mattresses – Classified as bulky waste, so check in with your local town council or the public waste collector servicing your estate. You could also engage any licensed waste collector to provide the removal service.
Meat trays (polystyrene) – General waste.
Medicines – Some medicines can be disposed of at home (in the general waste, NOT flushed down the loo), while other medications (cancer medicine, vaccines, antibiotics and products that can be misused) should be returned to the pharmacy. Check out the distinctions and information here.
Melamine products – General waste.
Metal cans, tins – Add to Metal bin (but rinse first).
Metal lids – Thumbs up: these can be recycled.
Microwave oven – Classified as bulky waste. Check with your local town council or the public waste collector servicing your estate. Alternatively, you may engage any licensed waste collector to provide the removal service.
Milk bottle (plastic) – Rinse, then recycle.
Milk carton – Rinse, crush, then add to Paper recycling bin, according to NEA.
Mirrors – Donate if not broken.
Mobile phones – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details). Drop off in a Singtel x SingPost ReCYCLE bin (check the website for a list of locations). Alternatively, ask for a ReCYCLE envelope from any Singtel or SingPost and mail at your convenience.
Mobile phone batteries – Drop off in a Singtel x SingPost ReCYCLE bin (check the website for a list of locations). Alternatively, ask for a ReCYCLE envelope from any Singtel or SingPost and mail at your convenience.
Mobile phone chargers – Drop off in a Singtel x SingPost ReCYCLE bin (check the website for a list of locations). Alternatively, ask for a ReCYCLE envelope from any Singtel or SingPost and mail at your convenience.
Modems – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details). Or drop off in a Singtel x SingPost ReCYCLE bin (check the website for a list of locations).
MP3 players – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details).
N
Nappies – General waste.
Needles and syringes – According to Health Hub, never throw used syringes into the waste bin with the needles exposed. Put the cap back after use and place the needle into a bottle or container. When the container is nearly full, it should be covered and taped before disposal.
Nespresso pods – Request a Recycling Bag when you purchase your coffee, then fill with used coffee capsules. Once full, you can then pass it to the courier when they deliver your next order, or drop it off at a Nespresso boutique.
Newspapers – Paper recycling.
O
Oil, cooking – DO NOT pour it down the sink! Many fats, once cooled, will solidify, meaning you can pop it in the general waste as a solid form. Otherwise, once cooled, pour into a container and throw that out. Don’t forget you’re good to use some fats a couple of times for the same purpose.
P
Paper and cardboard – Can all go in the recycling bin.
Paper, gift wrapping – NEA states this can be recycled.
Paper cuts and plates, used – General waste.
Paper towels and tissues – Dispose of as general waste.
Pens and pencils – See if you know anyone who can use these if still in good working condition. Otherwise, used pens to go in general waste.
Pet food cans – Empty and rinse first.
Phones – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details). Also, see Mobile phones.
Pizza boxes (empty) – Anything contaminated with food waste is to go into general waste. Otherwise, flatten clean cardboard containers and recycle.
Plastic bags – See if you can use these again by taking them with you to the supermarket, library and market. Avoid getting new ones! The NEA states that oxo- and bio-degradable bags are to be thrown in the general waste, but other than that, you can pop plastic bags in the recycling.
Plastic cutlery – General waste.
Plastic straws – Say no in the first place! Always use reusable straws whenever you can. If however, you do need a plastic straw, these would be disposed of with your general waste.
Plastic food containers – Make sure they are clean, then add to the recycling bin.
Plastic toys – If items are in good condition, consider selling on second-hand sites, or donating.
Plastic food wrapping – If plastic wrapping isn’t lined with foil (like chip packets are), then it can be recycled. Think bread wrappers, packaging for packet drinks and so on. If it’s foil-lined, pop it in the general waste bin.
Porcelain – Donate porcelain goods if in working condition.
Pots and pans – Donate if there is still use in them.
Polystyrene foam – Ugh, the worst. General waste.
Printed circuit boards – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details).
Printer cartridges and toner – Drop your used ink and toner cartridges (regardless of brand) in Project Homecoming collection boxes located at selected libraries island-wide.
Printers – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details). All deposits must be within the dimensions 47cm x 12 cm, so it can fit through the slot.
Q
R
Red packets – Can be recycled as per your usual paper recycling bins.
Remote controls – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details).
Routers – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details). Or drop off in a Singtel x SingPost ReCYCLE bin (check the website for a list of locations).
S
Set-top boxes – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details).
Sharps/syringes – see Needles.
Shoes – If they are in good condition, you can donate to Greensquare. There are lots of dropoff points around Singapore, and if you have lots of unwanted clothing, shoes, accessories and household linens, you can arrange for a free collection service (must be over 15kg), where Greensquare will collect at your doorstep.
Soft plastic packaging – In with plastics, according to NEA.
Straws (plastic) – General waste. You know our thoughts on straws…
Styrofoam – General waste.
T
Tablets – As in, the e-waste variety, otherwise see Medicines. Drop off in a Singtel x SingPost ReCYCLE bin (check the website for a list of locations).
Telephones – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details).
Tissue paper – General waste
Toner cartridges – Drop your used ink and toner cartridges (regardless of brand) in Project Homecoming collection boxes located at selected libraries island-wide.
Toothbrushes – These are made up of different materials, so can’t be easily recycled. Sadly, it’s in with the general trash. Consider using a bamboo toothbrush instead.
Toothpaste tubes – General waste.
U
V
Vacuum cleaner dust – General waste.
Vegetable scraps – Add to the compost heap, otherwise general waste.
W
Washing machines – Bulky waste. Contact your Town Council or public waste collector that services your area. Alternatively, you may engage any licensed waste collector to provide the removal service.
Wax paper – General waste.
Wires – These can be dropped into one of 443 RENEW bins at 397 locations (check here for details).
Wrapping paper – Can be recycled with Paper.
X
Y
Yoghurt containers – Make sure they’re clean first, then recycle.
Z
Now go forth and save the planet by recycling in Singapore!
Top image: Artem Beliaikin via Unsplash
