Waste is not Waste Provides Online Waste Exchange for Businesses and Organisations in Singapore and Malaysia

Waste generation in Asia has been increasing rapidly due to urbanisation and industrialisation, and poor waste management in several countries has caused negative impacts on the environment and the health of the people. According to The Global Development Research Center, the waste in Asia is disposed of by 51% open dumping, 31% landfilling, 9% recycling, 5% incineration and 2% open burning. It is clear that more work has to be done to reduce, reuse and recycle waste in Asia.

We believe that waste is not waste, but a potential resource for someone to use again. To tackle the waste problem, we wish to contribute by focusing on ending industrial and commercial waste from businesses and organisations in Asia, starting from Singapore and Malaysia.

There is much scope for businesses and organisations in Asia to reduce and recycle their waste. Waste is usually the last thing on their mind and is something to be thrown away without much thought. With increasing awareness on environmental issues, businesses and organisations are facing pressure from their customers and along the supply chain. They are starting to look at the waste they generate and trying to recycle as much as possible.

By reducing their waste, businesses and organisations also hope to cut costs and be more efficient. However there are some barriers such as lack of time and information to find out the types of waste that can be recycled, and to search for suitable collectors and recycling companies.

Our new initiative, Waste is not Waste, hopes to remove the barriers by providing an online waste exchange that is easy and convenient for businesses and organisations to use, and which helps them reduce, reuse and recycle waste. We connect businesses and organisations that generate waste materials with those who want the materials, thus helping both parties save time and money while helping the environment.

Visit our new beta version of Waste is not Waste to learn more about us, the benefits and how it works. Remember that waste is not waste, but potential resources to be used again.

ecoWise First in Singapore to Successfully Register CDM Project with UNFCCC

This article is a media release from ecoWise Holdings Limited.

Singapore 30 December 2008 – Mainboard-listed ecoWise Holdings Limited (“ecoWise”), a Singapore-based integrated environmental solutions provider, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bee Joo Industries Pte Ltd (“Bee Joo Industries”), has become the first Singapore registered company to successfully register its first CDM project with UNFCCC.

Mr. Lee Thiam Seng, Chairman and CEO of ecoWise proudly remarked, “Last year, we were the first Singapore-based company to receive the Letter of Approval from the Designated National Authority for our CDM project. After a year of consistent effort, we are indeed very pleased to have our project registered with the UNFCCC.” Read more

Singapore Energy Lecture by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew

Singapore’s Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew gave the Singapore Energy Lecture at the Singapore Energy Conference held last week. The video of the lecture is available at the Energy Market Authority website. MM Lee spoke on the following energy issues:

• Singapore’s green efforts over the years and the need to maintain the efforts because:

The point is, if we don’t do this, we lose our status as a clean, green city and we’ll lose our business and lose our extra premium for being an unusual city.

• Major economies such as China and India have to take climate change seriously:

If they get that message within 10, 15 years, then I think there’s hope, all is not lost. If it comes too late, if it comes 30, 40 years we are all in trouble.

• Nuclear energy is the real alternative although the big problem is where to site the nuclear plant:

The real alternative that can produce the electricity generation to match oil and gas is nuclear.

• ASEAN countries need to cooperate on energy by having a common power grid and pipelines:

I hope our neighbours also come to the conclusion that we are forced to cooperate. If we understand the complexity and immensity of the problems the world faces, and which we will face in Southeast Asia, then we should have a common grid and a common pipeline so that it’s transferable. 

• Singaporeans are not ready to pay more for renewable energy:

Singaporeans are cost-conscious. They don’t care where the energy comes from, they just want to know which is the cheaper option.

• The need to lower consumption:

There are limits to what man’s ingenuity can do, so let’s consume less … and live within the limits of what the world can sustain.

Happy Birthday Singapore!

Wishing everyone Happy National Day! As we celebrate Singapore’s birthday, let us remember that this is our home and it’s our responsibility to make it better and greener.

“This is home truly, where I know I must be

Where my dreams wait for me, where that river always flows

This is home surely, as my senses tell me

This is where I won’t be alone, for this is where I know it’s home”

(From the lyrics of Home, the theme song of the 1998 National Day)

Image credit: raymondbPhotos.

20 Suggestions for Sustainable Singapore

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development (IMCSD) recently announced Singapore’s vision and initiatives for sustainable development, and is seeking public feedback and suggestions. The IMCSD is studying ways to be more sustainable in the way we Work, Commute, Live and Play.

Visit the Sustainable Singapore website to find out more and give your feedback or suggestions.

In response to the call for green ideas, Green Future Solutions came up with 20 suggestions that would help Singapore to be more sustainable. The 20 suggestions include:

Reduce Energy and Carbon Emissions

1. Promote SEE Energy Management for the Industry and Building Sector

2. Encourage Building Owners to Reduce Lightings at Night

3. Work Towards a Four National Switches Energy Strategy

4. Set Mandatory Energy Efficiency and Renewable Portfolio Standards

Read more

A Guide to Clean Energy Initiatives and Funding by the Singapore Government

Singapore has identified the clean energy industry as a key growth area since Mar 2007. The clean energy industry is expected to “contribute S$1.7 billion to the GDP and create 7,000 jobs by 2015“. To support our vision of a Clean Energy Hub, there are several clean energy initiatives and funding by the government as shown in the list below:

1. Clean Energy Programme Office (CEPO)
2. Clean Energy Research and Testbedding Programme (CERT)
3. Clean Energy Research Programme (CERP)
4. Solar Capability Scheme (SCS)
5. Market Development Fund
6. Singapore Initiative in New Energy Technologies (SINERGY) Centre
7. Innovation for Environmental Sustainability (IES) Fund (related funding)
8. MND Research Fund for the Built Environment (related funding)

Read more

Does Singapore need a Ministry of Energy?

The New Paper ponders on whether Singapore needs a new Ministry of Energy to tackle energy issues more holistically and ensure our future energy security. The article says that “energy security lies in a muddy middle zone” and “there’s no one body fully in charge”. It also suggests some ideas on what a Ministry of Energy can do, such as:

• Buy our own oil field
• Buy overseas farms to grow food
• A law to set a minimum temperature in Singapore offices
• Forge closer relations with oil-producing countries

The government’s energy policies on energy conservation, energy efficiency, energy market regulation and energy industry are pursued by the different relevant ministries and agencies. This is understandable as energy issues are often complex and cut across different sectors and industries. Read more