Take-up Rate of Funding Support for Initiatives to Reduce Plastic Packaging
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the take-up rates of the 3R Fund and 3P Partnership Fund for plastic reduction initiatives as raised by Er Dr Lee Bee Wah. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli B M M stated that $3.9 million has been disbursed or committed via the 3R Fund, while the 3P Partnership Fund supported over 3,000 projects with $3.2 million. The Minister noted participation from 430 F&B companies in the Bring-Your-Own Campaign and the introduction of cutlery opt-outs by food delivery firms like Foodpanda and Deliveroo. Specific projects include F&N’s recycling awareness efforts and initiatives that have successfully averted two million pieces of plastic disposables and packaging waste. The Government remains prepared to support further industry-led efforts to reduce plastic packaging and waste through these dedicated funding schemes.
Transcript
18 Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources in respect of funding support for initiatives to reduce plastic packaging (a) what is the current take-up rate of the 3R Fund and 3P Partnership Fund; and (b) how popular are these schemes among the food delivery and food and beverage industries.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The 3R Fund is a co-funding scheme that supports companies to reduce waste and encourage recycling. As of July 2018, NEA has disbursed $1.4 million for 19 completed projects and committed another $2.5 million in support of 22 ongoing projects.
The 3P (People, Private and Public) Partnership Fund supports ground-up environmental initiatives. Over the past three years, about $3.2 million was disbursed in support of more than 3,000 projects, with about three quarters of funding going towards waste minimisation activities.
We supported the Zero Waste SG's Bring-Your-Own Campaign which has averted the use of two million pieces of plastic disposables and packaging waste. 430 retailers and F&B companies came together to encourage consumers to bring their own reusable containers, bottles and bags. We also supported F&N to work with retailers and tertiary institutions to raise awareness of recycling plastic bottles and aluminium cans.
We are heartened that some food delivery companies are discouraging the overuse of plastics on their own accord. Foodpanda and Deliveroo provide options for customers to exclude disposable cutlery in their orders. We welcome more of such initiatives from the food delivery and food and beverage industries and are prepared to support companies' efforts to reduce plastic packaging and plastic waste through the 3R and 3P Partnership Funds.