Hotels report success with glass recycling trial
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Many want project to be permanent. |
THE response from hotels to the first major glass recycling project in Singapore has been enthusiastic, with over 10 tonnes of glass collected in the last month.
In fact, some hotels want the project to be widened.
Mr William Kang, the executive steward of the West-in Stamford and Westin Plaza, said: "We wish the collection could be more frequent."
Twelve of the 18 hotels taking part In the project, which is supported by the Environment Ministry (ENV), want It to be permanent.
Mrs Winnie Lee, the executive housekeeper of Dynasty Hotel, said: "It does not cost us in any way. And we don’t have to go all the way to the bin centre to dump our glass waste like we used to."
Members of the public who want to recycle their used bottles can also join in.
The Pan-Pacific has thrown open its bins to the public since Aug 15.
They can take their glass waste to the rear of the hotel and dump. it into the bins there.
Bottles have to be separated according to colour to make recycling easier. A security officer is stationed nearby to guide the public.
The bins are open from 9am to 5pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
The glass recycling project began in July, when the Singapore Hotel Association decided on a three-month trial.
According to Mr Chiam Yeow Khong, the head of ENV’s waste minimisation department, Singapore has lagged behind in glass recycling.
"While paper and plastics recycling has made considerable headway, glass is limited to a few collections by the bottling plants for reuse," he said.
The amount of used glass collected is far smaller than the 120 tonnes of glass waste produced daily in Singapore.
But ENV’s Mr Chiam said: "What is important right now is that we have actually begun recycling.
"We are hoping for more participation in collection efforts soon."
Source : The Sunday Times , August 29, 1993
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