Removal of 3,000-tonne Heap of Scrap Rubber Materials Left at Sarimbun Recycling Park
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the removal of a 3,000-tonne scrap rubber stockpile at Sarimbun Recycling Park as raised by Er Dr Lee Bee Wah. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli B M M replied that the materials pose no health or operational risks as they are sited on a restricted old landfill. The former tenant, Morelastic Green Resources Pte Ltd, was responsible for the stockpile but had its lease terminated in January 2019 for rental arrears. While the company has cleared most of the materials since June 2019, NEA will reinstate the land and recover all associated costs from the company. NEA will also investigate the incident and take firm enforcement action against any environmental public health offences committed by the responsible parties.
Transcript
21 Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) what is being done to get the responsible parties to remove the 3,000-tonne heap of scrap rubber materials left at the Sarimbun Recycling Park; (b) whether the Ministry will issue an order for them to remove the materials; (c) how has the heap of materials affected park operations and the surrounding vegetation; and (d) whether such materials pose any health or environmental hazard.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The scrap rubber material is located within one of the plots at Sarimbun Recycling Park (SRP). As the public has no access to the plot and SRP is sited on an old landfill, these materials do not pose any health or environmental risks. There has also been no impact on the operations at surrounding plots in SRP, or on the vegetation surrounding SRP.
The SRP plot where the scrap rubber material is located was leased to Morelastic Green Resources Pte Ltd. However, the tenancy was terminated in January 2019 as the company incurred substantial rental arrears. Under the tenancy agreement, it is the tenant's responsibility to remove the scrap rubber.
Morelastic Green Resources Pte Ltd has started clearing the stockpile since 17 June 2019 and has removed most of the stockpile. NEA will then reinstate the land, including removal of any remaining stockpile, and recover the associated costs from the company. NEA will also investigate and take firm enforcement action against any environmental public health offences committed.