Measures to Reduce Single-use Plastics in National Day Parade 2019

9 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Defence (a) what measures are being taken to reduce single-use plastics in National Day Parade (NDP) 2019; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider providing only reusable items with minimal packaging in the NDP 2019 fun pack.

Dr Ng Eng Hen: Since 2002, the NDP Executive Committee (EXCO) has worked closely with the National Environment Agency (NEA) to organise a clean and sustainable NDP. In doing so, the EXCO takes into account the varying needs of attendees and participants, including the young and elderly as well as the need for prudent spending. The general direction is to use reusables, when available and cost-effective. For next year’s NDP, paper instead of plastic Bento boxes will be used to cater meals for our NDP participants and each fun pack will contain one larger bottled water, instead of the usual two.

While it is not feasible to have only reusable items with minimal packaging for the fun pack, NDP EXCO will work with NEA to establish collection points to encourage NDP spectators to return unused items, especially Ponchos (for wet weather) from the fun pack.