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Proposed Licensing Framework for General Waste Disposal Facilities in Singapore
Last updated 18 December 2024
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National Environment Agency - Environmental Protection Division
Consultation Period: 17 Jun 2015 - 16 Aug 2015
Status: Closed - Summary of Responses
Consultation Outcome
SUMMARY OF RESPONSES: Public Consultation on Proposed Licensing Framework for General Waste Disposal Facilities in Singapore
The National Environment Agency (NEA) of Singapore has concluded our public consultation exercise on the proposed licensing framework for general waste disposal facilities in Singapore. The consultation exercise was conducted on the REACH platform from 17 Jun 2015 to 16 Aug 2015.
Our responses to the feedback received during the consultation exercise are shown in the following table
Feedback | NEA’s Response |
1. To provide clarification on the classification of discarded lightings, lamps, bulbs and lighting accessories. | Discarded lightings, lamps, bulbs and lighting accessories are classified under the e-waste category. |
2. To provide clarification on the issuance of licences based on broad waste categories which may result in improper management of waste such as mercury-containing lamps. | Facilities are allowed to receive, store, sort, process and/or treat the types of waste that are approved and stated in their licences. However, if the facility inadvertently receives “unwanted” waste that is not stated in the licence (e.g. when small quantities of such waste is mixed with the approved waste and sent the facility), the licensee shall send the “unwanted” waste to appropriate disposal facilities for proper treatment or disposal. |
3. To provide clarification on difference between company registered address and disposal facility address. | The company registered address refers to the address registered with the company’s Unique Entity Number (UEN). This is to be filled into section 1.3 of the proposed application form. |
4. To provide clarification whether a format will be stipulated for the daily register and compiled monthly average report. | A sample daily register and monthly report format will be made available for reference at NEA’s website. |
5. Suggestion: Facilities to be licensed with Types and Grades (e.g. Level 1/2/3 based on processing capacity). This is to differentiate and identify the size of the disposal facility. The licence fee may differ based on the Type and Grade. | The type(s) of waste allowed to be received and the processing capacity of the facility will be stated in the licence. A uniform licence fee will be levied on all facilities. The fee is based on the administrative cost incurred by the NEA to process the application and issue the licence. |
6. Suggestion: Construction and demolition (C&D) waste to be moved under Category 1 waste that must be licensed. | The licensing framework is intended to put in place a regime that safeguards public health and protects the environment. At the same time, it should not be overly-onerous for facilities that are of low health-risk. C&D waste facilities are currently classified under Category 2. The NEA would review the effectiveness of this classification after implementation and make necessary adjustments if C&D waste facilities do indeed pose air pollution or other public health concerns owing to improper management. |
We appreciate every feedback that we have received and have considered them in our decision making process. We would like to thank all stakeholders and members of the public who have participated in the on-line public consultation.
Summary
The National Environment Agency (NEA) of Singapore is inviting members of the public to provide feedback on the proposed licensing framework for general waste disposal facilities in Singapore. This initiative will allow NEA to regulate the general waste disposal facilities to ensure public health and environmental protection, and raise industry standards.
Detailed Description
INTRODUCTION
The National Environment Agency (NEA) of Singapore is inviting members of the public to provide feedback on the proposed licensing framework for general waste disposal facilities in Singapore. This initiative will allow NEA to regulate the general waste disposal facilities to ensure public health and environmental protection, and raise industry standards.
BACKGROUND
The solid waste management industry in Singapore deals with the collection, sorting, storage, processing and disposal of general waste [1]. The NEA currently issues licences for general waste collectors, under the Environmental Public Health (General Waste Collection) Regulations, to collect and transport general waste to disposal facilities[2].
The local waste disposal industry landscape has grown and become more complex owing to the volume of waste generated as well as the increasing sophistication and materials used in consumer products that are being disposed of today. There are currently more than 300 general waste disposal facilities operating in Singapore, handling different types of waste such as biomass, metals, paper, plastics, and electronics. At present, public health is safeguarded through the requirement to obtain approval from NEA’s Central Building Plan Department (CBPD) for the construction of a disposal facility. The CBPD stipulates the relevant pollution control and public health requirements for the facility developer’s compliance. However, in order to ensure that the general waste disposal facilities are properly operated and the day-to-day operations do not pose public health and environmental concerns, a comprehensive licensing framework to further regulate these facilities is being proposed.
MAIN FEATURES OF THE PROPOSED FRAMEWORK
Waste disposal licence. No person shall construct, establish, maintain or operate any general waste disposal facility to receive, store, sort, treat or process general waste, unless he is the holder of a waste disposal licence or is exempted under these Regulations. The licensee shall only handle the type(s) of waste as declared in the licence application.
Scope of licensing. The licensing framework takes a risk management approach, in order to put in place a regime that safeguards public health and is fit-for-purpose, yet not overly-onerous for facilities that are of low safety-risk. Facilities that need to be licensed come under two categories, based on the type of waste handled as shown in Table 1. Category 1 facilities are deemed to pose a higher risk to public health and the environment. Disposal facilities in Category 2 require a licence only if the amount of waste they receive exceeds X* tonnes per year. Facilities exempted from the licensing framework are also shown. Notwithstanding, the Director-General of Environmental Protection may include/exempt any facility in/from this licensing framework.
Table 1: Facilities to be licensed under new framework
Category | Type of General Waste Disposal Facility | Licence Criterion |
1 | Disposal facilities that receive, store, sort, process and/or treat the following waste: (a) Mixed non-recyclable waste similar to the waste received at incineration plants (b) Biomass[3] (if the biomass is used as the primary fuel within the facility) (c) Food waste (d) Electronic waste[4] (e) Used copper slag[5] (f) Used cooking oil[6] | All facilities to be licensed regardless of processing capacity |
2 | Disposal facilities that receive, store, sort, process and/ or treat any other type(s) general waste, e.g. | Facilities that receive more than X* tonnes per year of incoming waste |
Disposal facilities that are exempted (a) Bin centres at HDB estates, residential, trade, commercial and industrial premises (b) Residential premises used by second hand goods traders or karung guni. Machinery or apparatus used for the in-house processing or treatment of waste generated at the premises in which the machinery/apparatus is located, e.g. food waste composter. | ||
Licensing conditions. Licensees will be required to abide by the licensing conditions. The licensing conditions being considered are shown in Annex A. The Director-General may impose additional conditions where necessary.
Application requirements. Application for a waste disposal licence shall be made to the Director-General of Environmental Protection using an on-line application form. The proposed application form is shown in Annex B. The licence shall be valid for a period of 2 years. Licensees will be required to apply for renewal of licences before their expiry.
FEEDBACK CHANNELS
In order that the consultation exercise may be productive and focused, we would like to request respondents to follow these guidelines:
(a) Use the template for submission of feedback as appended in Annex C. Identify yourself and the organisation you represent (if any) so that we may follow up with you if necessary.
(b) Be clear and concise in your comments.
(c) Focus your comments on how the proposed scope, licence conditions and/or application form can be improved or made clearer.
(d) As far as possible, substantiate your points with illustrations, examples, data or alternative suggestionsYour feedback is important to us. Should you have further queries regarding the licensing framework, you may write in to or submit your feedback through this email address: thomas_lu@nea.gov.sg, with the subject heading “Consultation on Licensing Framework for General Waste Disposal Facilities”.
This public consultation exercise will conclude on 16 Aug 2015.
SUMMARY OF RESPONSES
We regret that we may not be able to individually address or acknowledge every feedback that we receive. However, we will consolidate and publish a summary of the key feedback received, together with our responses, on the REACH website, following the end of the consultation exercise. The summary will not disclose the identity of the person(s) giving the feedback to maintain confidentiality.
DOCUMENTS TO DOWNLOAD
For your convenience, the relevant documents relating to this public consultation exercise can be downloaded for further reference.
The National Environment Agency
17 June 2015
Endnote:
[1] General waste means domestic, trade/ commercial or industrial waste, excluding any toxic industrial waste in the Schedule to the Environmental Public Health (Toxic Industrial Waste) Regulations.
[2] Disposal facility means a recycling facility, a waste disposal ground, any place used for the deposit of waste, an incinerator, or any plant, machinery, or apparatus used for the processing or treatment of waste. General waste disposal facility means a disposal facility that handles general waste.
[3] Biomass waste means material that is derived from living, or recently living biological organisms and plants that can be used directly or processed as a fuel source.
[4] Electronic-waste means waste generated from manufacturing of electrical and electronic products and end-of-life consumer electrical and electronic equipment such as TVs, computers, laptops, handphones, printers, PCBs, refrigerators, washing machines, audio and video systems, etc.
[5] Used copper slag means abrasive blasting grit made of granulated slag from metal smelting processes, also called iron silicate; copper slag abrasive is suitable for blast cleaning of steel and stone/concrete surfaces, removal of mill scale, rust, old paint, dirt, etc.
[6] Used cooking oil means cooking oil recovered from businesses and industry that use the oil for cooking and that are no longer suitable for cooking food intended for human consumption.
[7] Garden waste means the refuse from garden and agricultural operations;
Annex A - Proposed Licensing Conditions for General Waste Disposal Facilities [PDF, 76 KB]