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07 Auditing Waste. Source: GA Circular 08 FLW Management Hierarchy 09 Combing through food waste. Source: GA Circular 08 049 09 issue 16

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Policy Food Waste Food is the most important human Halving Food Waste Reduction connection to the planet and our for the survival depends on a steady supply WWF aims to empower businesses in Environment of food. Unfortunately, the production achieving the goal of halving global food and consumption of food is one of the waste at the retail and consumer levels and The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) biggest threats to our planet. The food reducing food losses along production and creates innovative policies to tackle the industry utilises large proportions of land supply chains by 2030. In achieving this, global problem of food waste. What can and freshwater resources, and causes WWF first identifies and targets industries this mean for the handling of our planet’s deforestation and toxic greenhouse gas with the potential to make the largest future resources? emissions that result in climate change. impact on reducing food waste. With hotels David Wai Kit Tham, Assistant Market Food waste, on the other hand, is of an even serving $35 billion dollars in catering and Transformation Manager, WWF-Singapore more disturbing scale of destruction. banquets annually in the US, they represent Globally, food waste contributes an a significant opportunity to reduce food issue 16 equivalent amount of greenhouse gas waste and are best positioned to lead by emissions as the third largest emitter. example within the food service industry. Despite the efforts and resources devoted To gain a deeper understanding of the into the production of food, about one third status of existing food waste reduction of food produced for human consumption initiatives implemented in hotels, surveys is lost or wasted annually, an amount and interviews were conducted with sufficient to feed every malnourished key individuals within the US food and person on the planet. Recognising the lodging industry such as executive chefs, gravity of this issue, the United Nations has food and beverage directors, and general incorporated ‘Responsible Consumption managers across multiple hotel brands. and Production’ as part of the 17 Sustainable The research highlighted the lack of Development Goals (SDGs). Therefore, it training and awareness of the roles is pivotal for governments, businesses, and and responsibilities of food waste individuals to recognise this issue and work management in daily hotel operations. collaboratively towards more sustainable In fact, few surveyed hotel properties had food production, consumption, and most existing strategies or techniques in place of all, eradicating the practice of producing to address this issue. Building upon these wasted food. research findings, WWF devised a solution Through our mission, WWF strives to to help hotels overcome the challenge of conserve the world’s biological diversity food waste reduction in their properties. by ensuring a sustainable use of renewable natural resources and promoting the Hotel Kitchen reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption in the planet. However, With the support from The Rockefeller food loss and wasteful practices lead to Foundation, WWF and the American the degradation of the planet’s natural Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) environment through greenhouse gas formulated a toolkit called ‘Hotel Kitchen’ emissions, wasteful consumption of land for lodging properties to help eradicate and freshwater resources, and endangering food waste. The toolkit focuses on the land and water biodiversity. As such, WWF prevention of food waste, donating what commits to the environmental challenge cannot be prevented but is still edible and of alleviating food waste and its negative diverting the remaining food away from impacts on the environment. landfills. Before rolling out this program officially, WWF conducted quantitative demonstration projects across 10 hotel 053

Policy properties in the US within a span of 4 02 that can be solved through changing months. Just by adopting some of the toolkit culture, attitudes, and behaviours that strategies, these pioneering properties saw waste in the hotel property can be used promotes the value of food. By tackling food waste reductions averaging between to procure more sustainable products food waste, hotels can save on money 17 percent and 38 percent during the as an alternative to their single- and time, improve staff morale while demonstration project period. With this use plastic items such as takeaway simultaneously reducing global resource positive outcome, the next step for WWF containers and packaging for storing food. consumption and greenhouse emissions. was to start on pilot projects using the Hotel By doing so, it helps to further reduce the Together, with the involvement and support Kitchen toolkit to assess its efficacy and volume of food waste generated, thereby from all stakeholders, we can work to- relevance in various hotel properties. decreasing operating costs and increasing wards our collective goals that promote In 2018, The Hilton adapted and profit margins in the long run. environmental sustainability. piloted the Hotel Kitchen program Furthermore, sustainable products and across its properties in Texas, Colombia, materials are now more widely available, In the process of identifying and Florida. Together with WWF, these leading to the increase in supply of these and implementing strategies hotels successfully reduced more than options in the market. Hence, the cost of to tackle food waste, extending 15 percent of its food waste, donated converting to sustainable alternatives will the shelf life of food in hotel more than 6,000 pounds of food and decrease over time. This not only provides prevented almost 260,000 pounds hotels with a wider range of options, but kitchens is undoubtedly a of food from going to the landfill. In Asia, ensures that they maximise every dollar of common aspect of concern. WWF partnered with Millennium Hilton their cost savings. Bangkok in 2017 to launch a food waste project. This project rollout efforts focused Changing Culture and Behaviours on food waste recording and monitoring as well as the initiation of employee Sustainability practices are not new engagement activities such as the ‘Clean to hotels as they have been addressing Your Plate’ campaign through games and water conservation, soap recycling, and videos to shift the property’s culture around sustainable seafood procurement for years. food waste. Six months after the launch, the Although food waste is acknowledged as hotel property made significant progress an issue in hotels, it is usually not a top in tackling the issue of food waste such as priority or performance goal. The good reducing the average cost per person and news is that food waste is a problem the ordering per person by 6.3 percent and 13.2 percent respectively. The two case studies above demonstrates the ability of the Hotel Kitchen toolkit in guiding hotel properties to make informed purchasing decisions backed with better planning and forecasting of food demand, thus generating significant cost savings for the hotel. This toolkit also promotes staff ownership and involvement through having a stake and tackling a global problem collectively as a team. Furthermore, it has been concluded that with every $1 invested by hotels on reducing and managing food waste, on average, hotels stand to save $7 in return. The cost savings can be reinvested into adopting more practices or products that promote sustainability and long-term cost efficiency for hotel management. An example is how cost savings generated from the reduction of food 054 envision

02 Plates of food waste 03 Garbage bags of food waste 04 Food thrown into the trash 03 04 055 issue 16



THE TRANSFORMATION: TAKE ENVISION ON THE GO. INSIDE THE FORCES MAKING CITIES CLEANER, GREENER PLACES Get the best in urban environmental management and corporate sustainability on your tablet or mobile device. Download the latest issue of ENVISION Magazine today! Download your copy at http://www.nea.gov.sg/envision-magazine Want to receive the latest issues when they’re launched? Send an email to [email protected] with your details and we will add you to the confidential mailing list. THIS ISSUE Sembcorp and DBS on disruption Sustainable behaviour change: A frame- Te c h n o l o g y t r a n s f o r m i n g c i t i e s . and sustainability. ALSO: Solar work for policymakers. CHECK OUT: PLUS: Singapore’s NEA and industry around Asia. TOOLS: Physical risk from Dr. Michael Braungart on doing “good” link up for EPR. ALSO: New Zealand in climate change. with C2C. low-carbon transition. ENVISION Magazine Issue 15 – Nov/Dec 2018 – A Biannual Publication of Singapore’s National Environment Agency

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Policy Recovering W hat might a research institute to Singapore’s drive towards a circular SCARCE with more than 70 years of economy by extracting useful resources Resources know-how in industrial-scale from waste and circulating them back into From e-waste nuclear waste recycling processes have the economy. to bring to the circular economy table? The National Environment Agency France and Singapore join hands to find A lot, it appears, as a joint research centre (NEA) of Singapore is supporting this breakthroughs in e-waste treatment. between Nanyang Technological University, NTU-CEA joint research centre under Singapore (NTU) and the French Alternative the agency ’s Closing the Waste Loop Chew Li Hong, Engineer, Environment Technology Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CTWL) Research and Development Department, National Environment Agency (CEA) shows in its recent official launch on (R&D) Initiative. CTWL is supported by 13 March 2019. the National Research Foundation (NRF) The new centre, named the NTU and the Ministry of National Development Singapore-CEA Alliance for Research (MND) under the Research, Innovation in Circular Economy (SCARCE), aims and Enterprise 2020 Plan (RIE2020), to develop innovative, energy-efficient with a funding of S$45 million under the solutions for the recycling and recovery of Urban Solutions and Sustainability (USS) resources from electrical and electronic domain. Administered by NEA, the CTWL waste (e-waste). As the global information R&D Initiative encourages collaborations society grows and drives innovation, among institutes of higher learning, efficiency, and social and economic research institutes, and private sector development, so too do the supporting partners, to develop technologies and electronic devices and infrastructure. solutions to tackle the challenges posed Moreover, replacement cycles are growing by increasing waste generation, scarcity of shorter, thus driving up the global resources, and land constraints for waste generation of e-waste. The authors of The management. For this research centre, NEA, Global E-waste Monitor 2017 estimate that NTU, and CEA together are contributing in 2016 alone, a staggering 44.7 million S$20 million to this collaboration. metric tonnes was generated, equivalent SCARCE is headed by Dr. Jean- to 4,500 Eiffel Towers, while only about Christophe P. Gabriel of CEA, and Prof. 20 percent is collected and recycled. Madhavi Srinivasan of NTU. Both Co- Not only are there concerns about the Directors bring with them extensive impact of improper disposal of e-waste on experience that complement each other the environment and human health, but the well in this joint centre. ENVISION sheer amount of raw materials – including magazine interviewed Dr. Gabriel in this precious metals and critical elements – that issue to understand what brought him to we incessantly draw from our environment this collaboration in Singapore, and what he to make these products poses a challenge hopes the centre will achieve. to our pursuit of sustainable development. Dr. Gabriel has experience in both Aptly named as SCARCE, the centre academia and industry, having spent six will focus on four research thrusts that years developing nanotechnology based address the recycling and recovery of in a Californian start-up called Nanomix. materials from key e-waste streams such He quips that it was at Nanomix that he as discarded lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), learnt that “being on time was to be late,” silicon based photovoltaic solar panels something that planners can relate to as (c-Si PV), and printed circuit boards “there will always be unexpected events (PCBs). This research centre is integral that will create delays.” Subsequently, issue 16 059

Policy 01 Pile of e-waste 02 Unveiling of NTU- CEA SCARCE plaque by SMS (MEWR) Dr. Amy Koh & Deputy CEO (CEA) Dr. Laurence Pikettyh 03 Profile picture of Dr. Jean-Christophe P. Gabriel Administered by NEA, the CTWL R&D Initiative encourages collaborations among institutes of higher learning, research institutes and private sector partners, to develop technologies and solutions to tackle the challenges posed by increasing waste generation, scarcity of resources, and land constraints for waste management. Dr. Gabriel spent 12 years in the CEA, where he put together projects involving cross-cutting teams that sought solutions to societal problems, especially in the field of sustainability. An example would 02 be the recently concluded REEcycle, a 1. Recycling of lithium ion batteries example, silver, copper, from PCBs, and using processes that emit gase- project funded by the European Research (LIB): Recycling of materials from end- ous pollutants or liquid waste that require treatment as mentioned in Council, which focused on the development of-life batteries is mandatory for the an article “Precious metals recovery from waste printed circuit boards: of greener processes for the recycling of sustainability of e-mobility, in terms A review for current status and per- spective” written by Yan Lu and strategic metals. of managing the environmental impact Zhenming Xu in 2016. The team will work on novel X-ray sorting process, CEA is a French public research of used batteries but also for ensur- improving the recovery processes and developing viable reuse applications organisation in the areas of energy, defence, ing the continual supply of strategic using advanced mechanical separa- tion and hydrometallurgy techniques. and security, information technologies metals resources. The focus will be on 4. Detoxification and recycling of toxic and health technologies, and is regularly mechanical separation, hydrometal- plastic parts in e-waste: Plastics make up 15-25 percent in mass of waste elec- ranked first or second most innovative lurgical processes or the use of purely tronic and electric equipment (WEEE), and contain heavy metals and additives research institution worldwide by Reuters. aqueous chemistry to recover materials such as fluoride and flame retardants (FRs). Burning these can emit toxic SCARCE is CEA’s first joint research centre from spent LIBs to convert them into fumes and may cause serious envi- ronmental pollutions as well as risk outside of France, and its contribution useful second life electrode materials. to human health. The work here aims to develop novel processes for e-waste to it is twofold. First, it has an extensive detoxification and recycling under environment-friendly conditions, and know-how in processing nuclear waste, 2. Recycling of Silicon Solar panels: develop possible reuse applications for the recovered materials. reaching an overall 97 percent recyclability With the growth of photovoltaic of spent nuclear fuel. To Dr. Gabriel, the (PV) industries and correspondingly CEA’s technical capabilities in recycling accumulation of end-of-life PV mod- nuclear wastes at an industrial scale are also ules, there is a need for their proper transferable to the recycling of electronic management. This thrust aims to wastes. Second, it has more than 70 years develop efficient panel disassembly of experience in extensive industrial and material recovery processes with deployment of materials recycling, lower carbon footprint than exist- experience that would help the NTU-CEA ing processes, and alternative appli- research centre in its ambition to effectively cations of the recycled materials. translate R&D into high value-added industrial solutions. 3. Recycling and recovery of valuable metals from printed circuit boards The four research thrusts undertaken by (PCBs) : Current industrial process- SCARCE are: es only recover valuable metals , for 060 envision

04 From left: NTU President Prof. Subra Suresh, SMS (MEWR) Dr. Amy Koh, CTO (NEA) Patrick Pang on a lab tour with Dr. Gabriel (co-Director, SCARCE) 05 From left CEO (NEA) Tan Meng Dui, NTU President Prof. Subra Suresh, SMS (MEWR) Dr. Amy Koh, HE Marc Abensour, Prof. Ling San (NTU) and Deputy CEO (CEA Dr. Laurence Piketty on a lab tour with Asst Prof. Dalton Tay (NTU) 03 04 One key priority for SCARCE is the Turning to his role, Dr. Gabriel describes One key priority for focus on green and sustainable methods. being Co-Director of SCARCE as not unlike SCARCE is the focus on The research team will apply so-called running a start-up, and there is no such green and sustainable ‘green chemistry’ methods, which are thing as a typical day. “Our time is divided methods. The research environmentally friendly chemical between research, technical discussions, team will apply so-called processes that minimise the use and interaction with NEA, management of ‘green chemistry’ methods, generation of hazardous substances, the team, video conference with French/ which are environmentally besides being energy- and water-efficient. CEA partners, discussions with potential friendly chemical processes This is being applied for example in the industrial partners and dealing with that minimise the use and lithium ion battery recycling project. The conflicting priorities.” generation of hazardous group is developing eco-friendly methods On how he feels about his having to substances, besides being to extract up to 75 percent of metals in the relocate to Singapore in this new role, energy- and water-efficient. batteries, such as cobalt, nickel, lithium Dr. Gabriel says he does miss beekeeping, a and manganese, which can be re-used hobby that one must admit is not common 061 to produce new lithium ion batteries. in Singapore. He often seeks inspiration Another key priority is to have real- from observing bees, such as how their life impact. “This is not a typical academic absence can indicate ecosystem imbalances. collaboration that usually aims mostly to Nevertheless, he loves the multi-culturalism achieve academic excellence,” Dr. Gabriel of Singapore, and is upbeat about being emphasises. The NTU-CEA research centre part of an international effort to look for has a clear objective to have its solutions solutions to reduce and recover value from adopted, licensed, co-developed and e-waste. deployed by industrial partners. Dr. Gabriel is quietly confident. He notes, “Singapore 05 has become an R&D hotspot” that is “boiling with talents, ambition, energy and opportunities.” It is an encouraging sign that the research centre has already inked Letters of Intent (LOIs) with industry players such as Durapower Holdings, a lithium ion battery system manufacturer, and BlueSG, the electric car sharing company. In the immediate future, SCARCE will be organising workshops to share its research and exchange ideas with the local community. issue 16

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Policy Circular sustainable solutions for optimised use of price seen in 2008 would also affect the Economy for our planet’s resources. stability of food import. As such, Singapore Singapore The interdisciplinary nature of food is particularly vulnerable in terms of food Food Security production systems and supply chain is security, as we rely heavily on food import now also impacted by artificial intelligence for local consumption. Singapore might face uncertainties over with increased role of sensors and big data. Land allocated to agriculture in her food security in an ever-changing The potential of these new technologies Singapore has been reduced over the years landscape. Professor William Chen of can be maximised to address the pressing as a result of our rapid industrialisation the Nanyang Technological University in issues of healthy food and a sustainable and urbanisation, from approximately 25 Singapore looks at some of the solutions environment. One clear solution is to percent in the 1960s to less than 1 percent to these contemporary issues. transform our current food systems to a at this point in time. More than 90 percent circular nature. A Circular Food Economy of food for local consumption has been Professor William Chen , Michael Fam Chair would lead to better utilisation of earth’s imported in recent years. Professor in Food Science and Technology, limited resources, creating a zero-waste Even though our food import network Director, Food Science and Technology food production and food processing is much wider (more than 180 countries) Programme, Nanyang Technological University industry, making food systems more than our water supply source (only from Singapore resilient to climate change, and meeting Malaysia), the above-mentioned challenges requirements of current and future needs of unpredictable food crops production 700-900 million people worldwide for nutritious and safe food. and food price remain. Technology-driven currently suffer from hunger and Alternative food sources would solutions are urgently needed to improve even more from malnutrition. At the also need to be explored and established local primary production to provide other end of pendulum, obesity and heart before 2050, as demand for animal Singapore with a buffer to soften the impact diseases related to over-consumption are proteins would increase exponentially of any sudden disruption in food supply. commonplace in developed countries. with the increase in world population. These solutions may include modification We need to fundamentally change our of crops which are more resilient to climate current food production systems, food Changing Landscape of change (for example Temasek rice), and supply chain, eating behaviour, and find Primary Production high production yield farming systems ways to reduce food waste. which are resilient to changes in weather It is estimated that by 2050 more Food security is an important national issue conditions (urban and indoor farming). than 70 percent of the global population for many governments around the world. Leafy vegetables would be a good choice will be living and working in urban areas. The key elements of Singapore’s food for urban farming given their potential for The overpopulated urban centres would security include availability of food from high production yield in constant lighting have increased pressure on proper living either domestic production or global conditions. conditions including air quality, water market, accessibility of food by Singapore One important food supply source availability, and availability of safe and consumers, affordability and safety for Singapore which is not affected by nutritious food. Conversely, traditional and nutrition standards for consumers. land constraints would be aquaculture. farming areas are facing not only a Singapore’s food security index was Surrounded by seas, Singapore’s aquaculture shortage of manpower but also suffering ranked top in the world in 2018, with food sector has strong potential for growth and from the impact of climate change. Our affordability as one of the key assessment has been identified as a key food source current production systems and consumer criteria. However, our ranking in food for its food security. In recent years, behaviour have cumulatively led to security would drop to number 16 if the coastal fish farming is experiencing new irreversible reduction in resources, and assessment criteria cover climate changes challenges as a result of global warming environmental pollution of soil and oceans, and fluctuation in food price. Extreme and extreme weather conditions, with among others. These challenges from weather conditions (severe flooding and occasional incidences of algae bloom in the human activities and climate conditions or long lasting droughts) on agriculture Johor Strait affecting fish production yield. are compelling reasons for us to look for have caused damage to production of food Technological innovations for aquaculture crops. Incidences of sudden increase in food issue 16 063

Policy 01 The ISA is working at a government-to-government level for the adoption of a common regulatory framework for the large-scale deployment of solar PV projects 02 Reducing Planet Resources 03 Shrinking farmland in Singapore 04 Circular Food Economy The interdisciplinary nature of food production systems and supply chain is now also impacted by artificial intelligence with increased role of sensors and big data. have been successfully developed in 02 Food produced that is ultimately Singapore by SFA on St John’s island, and not consumed uses up nearly 1.4 billion with high production yield for open sea as insects are cold blooded and have a much hectares of land, or more than 30 percent aquaculture demonstrated by Barramundi wider range of low cost feeds. Likewise, of the world’s agricultural land area. Almost Asia. Land-based production yield has microalgae farming can be operated cost- 46 percent of the global food wastage also been enhanced with the introduction efficiently as they are photosynthetic and occurs in the processing, distribution and of a vertical aquaculture system by Apollo resilient to their growth environment. consumption stages while 54 percent of Aquaculture group. The new challenges Considering the diverse sources of food wastage happens during the storage, post- would be to integrate urban farming import, effective food safety assessment harvest handling and production phases. for leafy vegetables with land-based is of critical importance. In addition to In Singapore, food waste makes up 10 aquaculture, commonly referred to as ensuring quality requirements of the percent of the total waste generated in the Aquaponics. The integrated system would sources of food production, new technology country. And only 16 percent of this food allow an efficient way of food production, in is needed for effective monitoring of supply waste is recycled while the rest is sent to which water can be cleaned up through the chain as well as pre-emptive detection of waste-to-energy incineration plants. absorption of nutrients in fish discharges by new chemical and microbial contaminations In an average Singapore household, the vegetables, thus promoting their growth. in the imported foods. approximately 2.5 kilograms of food waste In addition, the cost of aquaculture can be are thrown away weekly. On top of that, reduced by replacing feed ingredients with Food Waste and Impact on each household throws away approximately those from low cost sources such as food Environment S$170 worth of food and beverages a year. waste. This means that, as a nation, we throw away New natural food sources may also be Food wastage is a global issue with a huge over S$200 million worth of food annually. considered to strengthen Singapore’s food price tag. Each year, the wastage of food A survey conducted showed that at least half supply. These may include insects and leads to massive economic losses as well the time, 27 percent of the households in microalgae. Unlike conventional animal as serious climate and environmental Singapore had leftovers after a meal while farming (for example cattle and poultry), problems. 24 percent of households have thrown away insect and microalgae farming offer high Annually, about 1.3 billion tonnes food that has spoilt or expired because nutritional value with a much lower cost. of food produced in the world for the families either bought too much or were It is estimated that half of the cattle feeds consumption of humans go to waste. unaware of food hidden at the back of the is used to maintain its body temperature In other words, roughly one-third of the refrigerator. and the land utilisation for cattle farming global amount of food produced is lost or It is a growing problem; over the past has not been optimal. In contrast, insect wasted. Of this wastage, roughly 222 million decade, the total amount of food waste farming can be vertical thus overcoming any tonnes of food are wasted by consumers in generated in Singapore has increased by space constraints. It is also more efficient affluent countries. This amount is almost roughly 40 percent. equal to the total annual amount of food produced in sub-Saharan Africa (230 million tonnes). 064 envision

03 This figure is expected to rise even 04 further with Singapore’s expanding population, greater affluence and accelerated economic activity. Plastic waste is another colossal problem in Singapore. A Straits Times report in March 2018 revealed that, on average, each Singaporean threw away 13 plastic bags every day in 2016. National Environment Agency (NEA) data shows that in 2017 plastics constituted the largest amount of waste disposed in Singapore at 763,400 tonnes. Only 6 percent of this waste is recycled. NEA data also revealed that over the last 15 years, plastic waste per capita has increased by nearly 20 percent in Singapore. It is not just a local problem. The world is suffering the consequences of excessive plastic waste. Nutrition for Ageing Population sudden disruption in food supply from may include primary production, zero other countries. Processing technology waste food processing, and nutrition Similar to most industrialised countries, should lead to less food wastage and thus including alternative food sources. Singapore is going through changes in reducing the pressure on food import. her demographic profile with a fast- Proper nutrition for our fast ageing Post-Harvest Processing ageing population. Food nutrition for the population can be monitored through gut elderly, both in terms of appeal of the food health. Food processing allows longer storage of and effective digestion, is not the same foods and provides consumers with greater as compared with younger individuals. Urban Farming for variety of food products. This is compounded by various chronic Primary Production diseases more often seen in the elderly. Key aspects of enhanced food processing Innovations are needed to produce food Traditional farming is largely land-based technology may include: not only for basic nutrition requirements at the commercial scale. Its adequacy but also for prevention of chronic disease and efficiency in meeting the demand 1. Smart packaging with reduced plastic onset in this demographic. Monitoring of from the increasing world population waste the effectiveness of such innovations may are in need of improvement. There are a well be achieved through new ways of number of factors affecting traditional 2. Natural food preservative with less monitoring the activities of the gut farming. These may include climate change chemicals in food products microbiome under the influence of food. with extreme weather conditions, rapid Taken together, Singapore food urbanisation leading to shortage of farming 3. Zero waste food processing with less security can be redefined to include 3 main manpower, energy issues on storage and food waste from processing industry. areas: Primary Production, Processing transportation, food waste from storage Technology, and Nutrition. Despite limited and transportation, and consumers’ In addition to the general food waste, land available for agriculture, technology- demand for fresh and nutritious food there are also side-streams generated driven farming practices should provide produce. Technology innovations are from food processing industry such as the nation with a buffer zone to tide over needed to address these challenges. These soybean residues (commonly known as Okara), brewer’s spent grain, and waste cooking oil. The amount of side-streams is issue 16 065

Policy 05 Marine Aquaculture Centre 06 An Example of Aquaculture System in Singapore 07 Food waste in Singapore 08 Plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean 09 Key Areas in Singapore Food Security significantly lower than the general food 05 06 waste (around 20,000 tonnes for any one of the three types), but not negligible. are paying more attention to food, nutrition. progress has been made in linking human Unlike countries with sizeable animal farms, A healthy diet has been proposed to have a gut microbiota with health and disease. where food waste can be used as animal feed positive impact on overall wellbeing with Imbalance in normal gut microbiota has after processing, such waste mostly ends up reduced rate of chronic disease onset. been associated with inflammatory and in incinerators and landfills in Singapore. In addition, increasing evidence points to metabolic disorders including inflammatory In recent years, general food waste a strong relationship between diet, human bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, has been converted into fertilisers and health, and gut microbiome activity. and obesity. Therefore, an understanding compost by bio-conversion. In the food The importance of appropriate of what constitutes a health-promoting or waste processing value chain, this useful food nutrition is particularly relevant disease-promoting microbial group has conversion is considered to be a recycling to Singapore society with a rapidly attracted significant research interest. endeavour with relatively low value add. ageing population. Globally, increasing Gut microbiota composition varies More can be achieved in extracting value competition for food supply as a result among individuals within and between from food waste, including food ingredients of population growth also demands for communities. Several factors such as diet, (amino acids, micronutrients among others) alternative and non-traditional food geography, host genetics and physiology, and high value additives (for example sources including microalgae and insects. and drug usage, influence gut microbial carotenoids). Nutrients recovered from The human gut is a host of trillions composition but diet has been considered food waste can be reconnected back to the of bacteria. The entire gut microbiota as the most prominent factor amongst all. food chain, as animal feeds or consumer is estimated to contain 150-fold more Moreover, diet is simplest to modulate and consumption. Technology-driven food genes than our host genome. Tremendous provides the easiest route for therapeutic waste management would lead to better utilisation of imported foods, reduced food waste and environment pollution, and more importantly less pressure on food import. Gut Microbiome and Personalised Nutrition Increasingly, consumers and government Legend Source Of Food Wastage: Processing, distribution and consumption stages Storage, post-harvest handling and production phases 07 envision 066

08 Surrounded by seas, Singapore’s aquaculture sector has strong potential for growth and has been identified as a key source for food security. 09 intervention. Recent studies have linked can be developed to monitor the health in technology innovations for Singapore diet and microbiome with health. Changes benefits of food nutrition for general food security would be needed. These may in gut microbiota have been reported to or ageing populations, developed from include new ways to monitor food supply induce obesity in experimental animals fed either traditional or alternative sources. chain and enhance food fraud traceability with a high fat diet. Moreover, controlled (blockchain and artificial intelligence), diets consisting of non-digestible Conclusion & Recommendations integrated system for urban farming carbohydrates given to overweight males (sensor for real time monitoring of farming actuate remarkable changes in certain Enhancing food security for Singapore is of conditions), technology-driven food waste dominant species, although the responses crucial importance considering the limited management (zero waste food processing), vary among subjects. farming capacity and heavy dependence new ways to measure gut microbiome Over the last two decades, microbiome on food import for local consumption. as indicator of food nutrition (non- analysis of faecal samples using culture- The impact on the environment by the invasive measurement of gut microbiome independent methods, such as high- amount of food waste (800,000 tonnes) and functionality), and platform technology to throughput DNA sequencing has emerged plastic packaging waste (800,000 tonnes) develop alternative and unconventional as a non-invasive tool to study nutrition generated yearly in Singapore needs to be food sources (insects and microalgae). and health. The development of tools reduced. Working together with the food has enabled researchers to explore In addition to ensuring food safety, industry and government agencies, it is to be the interaction between diet and gut three critical areas for food security in hoped that technology-driven approaches microbiota, but this relationship still Singapore may include primary production, would make significant contributions to needs to be fully characterised. Novel non- post-harvest processing and nutrition for Singapore’s food security. invasive tools of gut microbiome activities the ageing population. A collective and synergistic effort issue 16 067

Policy Addressing Asia’s Plastics Waste Problem Innovative solutions to plastic pollution have emerged across Asia to cope with the growing piles of waste on land and in water. But are they truly effective? It might be time to shift the focus to multi-stakeholder collaborations to tackle the root of the problem – poor waste management and the lack of proper regulatory frameworks. Edwin Seah, Head of Sustainability and Communications, Food Industry Asia 01 Plastic’s non-biodegradable nature has taken a toll on our environment, especially The prevalence of plastic as a in our oceans. Ocean-bound waste has cheap, durable, and often disposable reached dire proportions, and here in Asia material in everyday life is alone, just five countries are estimated undeniable. However, societies are to contribute to 60 percent of all the increasingly accustomed to a “throwaway marine plastic litter in the ocean. This not culture”, amidst unprecedented only disrupts the delicate balance of our consumption rates driven by a rapidly ocean ecosystem and poses great danger growing global population and economic to marine life – microplastics are also finding development. This means that the their way into our food, water, and the air world is waking up to a greater trash crisis we breathe. than ever before. The problem is most acute in Asia – Driving Innovation And not only has its rise as a true consumption Investment powerhouse coupled with low waste collection and inadequate waste and The food industry recognises that it has a recycling infrastructure spurred a trash role to play in addressing the region’s most crisis of its own, but the region is also talked-about environmental crisis, with plagued by the trash problems of other single-use food wrapping and disposable countries. China’s ban on plastic imports utensils as one of the key contributors. has seen waste exporting countries filling In turn, packaging accounts for more than a the landfills of other Asian countries. Waste quarter of plastic worldwide. exports have more than tripled for Malaysia, Over the years, the food industry has increased by 50 percent for Vietnam, and placed great focus on innovation and for Thailand, the number shot up fifty-fold. 068 envision

01 Plastic water bottles 02 Tetra Pak’s Tetra Rex carton package investment towards reducing its impact introduced Tetra Rex, the world’s first and Dow Chemicals, have pledged US$150 on the environment, and it remains a key fully renewable carton package made million of investment capital to Circulate priority. with bio-based closure and coating. Capital, for waste and recycling innovations In the area of product redesign and It also introduced a Green Roof programme and projects that prevent plastic waste from innovation, industry giants like Mars, in Thailand where used drinking boxes entering the ocean over a 10-year period in Nestlé, and Coca Cola have pledged to make are recycled into durable, lightweight South and Southeast Asian countries. their packaging 100 percent recyclable or roofing tiles. made from 100 percent recycled content by This year, Food Industry Asia (FIA), Collaboration Is The Real Key 2025. together with Singapore’s Economic Recognising that billions of sachets Development Board (EDB), the Agency However, is this enough? According to are sold annually, particularly in developing for Science, Technology and Research a study on tackling plastic and packaging markets as a low-cost alternative to (A*STAR), consumer goods companies, and waste in Southeast Asia commissioned consumers, which in turn is a key contributor companies from across the packaging by FIA that was released last September, of packaging waste, Unilever is trialling and materials value-chain, have collectively efforts such as recycling and redesigning a ground-breaking new technology – created the pre-competitive Circular products are important in reducing the CreaSolv® – to recycle plastic sachets. Materials Lab here in Singapore, to plastic waste that enters Southeast Asia’s Danone-Aqua earlier this year launched research, pilot-test, and launch sustainable seas. But more importantly, the study in Indonesia a water bottle made of packaging solutions. encourages Southeast Asian governments 100 percent recycled plastic. It can also be The lab will be tackling specifically to ramp up initiatives to improve poor or fully recycled, and such a bottle is the first urgent packaging challenges, namely ineffective waste collection systems. of its kind in a country that has pledged a design of packaging (use of mono- This demonstrated that incremental reduction of 70 percent of its plastic debris materials), affordable biodegradable changes from industry innovation and by 2025. The French beverage company solutions, recycling technologies, and investment alone are not sufficient to has also pledged to launch bottles made access to cleaned recycled materials. tackle this pressing issue. In order for us from 100 percent recycled PET by 2021. On the investment front, the food to witness true progress, collaboration Responsible for a large portion of industry has also contributed significantly between businesses, citizens, and the world’s food packaging, Tetra Pak to funds to support innovation, education, governments is the catalyst in helping has similarly placed greater focus on and infrastructure for the region. us achieve the rate of change we need sustainability when it comes to product Several FIA members – Danone, Coca Cola, to truly address Asia’s growing plastic innovation. For example, the company Pepsico, and Unilever – together with P&G problem. And for change and policies to be effective, it must involve the entire plastic issue 16 069

Policy 03 Summary of top levers from FIA’s study 04 Danone-Aqua’s 100% recycled plastic bottle 03 and packaging value-chain, and address including data and information on waste policies and address these underlying the challenges from a holistic solid waste flows, infrastructure needed, and capability concerns. Industry feedback is important management point of view. and capacity building. Any policy position to ensure policies are not created in One key way such partnerships can should also be based on a solid fact base isolation nor neglect current realities. drive effective change is in the development rather than assumptions to address waste This includes setting agreed targets, and implementation of relevant policies leakage into marine environments and timelines, measurements, definitions, and and regulations. Well-informed policy can waterways. standards. influence the systemic change needed to Policies should also be designed to For example, in the case of plastics and achieve long-term sustainability; however, ensure a level playing field, and not target packaging, no viable alternative to plastics policy development often runs the risk of or single out certain sectors or packaging in food packaging is currently available being fast-tracked and implemented with type. Waste issues also require significant that can be deployed on a large scale in little consultation. investment in infrastructure and consumer the region. Therefore, banning Single- Environmental regulations have quickly behaviour change, and so financing of Use Plastics (SUPs) could leave a void that become the norm, from country-wide waste management systems cannot be seriously impacts food waste minimisation plastic bans to government initiatives such done by industry alone. Lastly, sustainable and food safety efforts. as a pay-as-you-throw fee to monitoring packaging discussions cannot simply focus By involving the necessary stakeholders, and limiting rubbish dumped by households. on plastic waste issues – there is also a need governments can ensure tailored policies Looking ahead, we can anticipate greater to understand how packaging contributes that are holistic, fact-based, inclusive, regulatory changes as environmental to enhancing food safety and reducing food data-driven, and take a phased-in approach. conditions continue to worsen. waste, given the region’s unique geography, A good demonstration of this is when However, there are a number of climate, and the logistics, distribution, and the Singapore government announced underlying concerns when it comes to storage challenges. that a mandatory packaging reporting evolving regulation for the food industry. framework will be introduced in 2020; the Firstly, there is no one-size-fits-all for Developing Well-Informed announcement was made in 2017 followed policy and it is crucial not to adopt a system Policies Together by consultations in 2018 which continued like Extended Producer Responsibility into 2019, giving industry the opportunity to (EPR) or bans used elsewhere without a This is where partnerships come in. review, recommend, and provide feedback. detailed understanding of the local context, Governments must partner with relevant It also announced in 2019 that EPR industry stakeholders to co-develop 070 envision

04 for packaging will be introduced in Plastic and Waste Management” in mid- beneficial to everyone. Governments need 2025, where similarly a consulted and 2018. Its objective is to halve the amount to engage and consult with industries to do phased-in approach will allow industry to of ocean waste Thailand produces by 2027. what is best for their country in the context adjust - especially small and medium-sized Under the project, some 20 organisations of the country’s policies and infrastructure enterprises (SMEs) - as well as innovate from the public, private, and civil sectors on plastic, packaging, and solid waste and partner with governments to co-develop are supporting the implementation of management systems. and implement policies effectively. sustainable plastic and waste management In order to see true progress over Meanwhile in Thailand, the country solutions via the Circular Economy principle, the next few years, we need to look at ranks as one of the top countries where resources are kept in use for as comprehensive ways to address the contributing to plastic ocean debris. long as possible. This includes initiatives challenge of post-consumption plastic However, while the industry is not in such as education programmes around and packaging waste. The onus is not on favour yet of the implementation of an EPR waste management and disposal, and the government, or industries, or even system due to the lack of comprehensive providing support to entrepreneurs the people alone. We all need to work data and concerns about the introduction to develop innovation and technology together and address our mounting of blanket schemes, it has been proactive for sustainable plastic management waste problem. in leading Public Private Partnership (PPP) using the “3Rs” (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) initiatives and the government is actively principle. By involving the necessary working with the industry to tackle plastic stakeholders, governments waste through projects that will establish a Moving Forward can ensure tailored policies greater knowledge base of the issue as well as voluntary EPR pilots such as collection There is no one solution that can address that are holistic, fact-based, systems in Bangkok. our plastic pollution problem. The issue inclusive, data-driven, and take In addition, the Plastic Industry Club, needs to be tackled with a multi-faceted the Federation of Thai Industries, the approach. a phased-in approach. Thailand Business Council for Sustainable While the industry tries to play its Development, and the Thailand Environment part by continuing to drive innovation and Institute Foundation launched the “Public investment to improve its environmental Private Partnership for Sustainable footprint, it is also keen to play a role in shaping policies and regulations that are issue 16 071

NEA-103-T19_6 shts_10.ai 1 31/5/19 4:45 PM Waste management facility MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE. CHOOSE REUSABLES. In 2018 alone, we discarded around 164,500 tonnes of disposables. We canʼt go on like this. Letʼs choose to use reusable bags, bottles and takeaway containers, and keep Singapore green for future generations. Image is for illustrative purposes only. In support of: Learn more at cgs.sg © National Environment Agency 2019 PROPRIETARY/CONFIDENTIAL: Clear Channel 6 shts Date & Time: Job No: Client: Media: Colour: Insertion Date: AD: GH/CD: Product / Prices

NEA-103-T19_6 shts_10.ai 2 31/5/19 4:45 PM Bring your own reusables. In 2018 alone, we discarded around 164,500 tonnes of disposables. We canʼt go on like this. Letʼs choose to use reusable bags, bottles and takeaway containers, and keep Singapore green for future generations. In partnership with: Learn more at cgs.sg In support of: © National Environment Agency 2019 PROPRIETARY/CONFIDENTIAL: Clear Channel 6 shts Product / Prices Date & Time: Job No: Client: Media: Colour: Insertion Date: AD: GH/CD:

Industry Spotlight 01 An Artist Impression of Tuas Nexus 02 Tuas Nexus synergies 03 An Architect’s perspective of the IWMF Synergising Solid Waste Management With Used Water Treatment Tuas Nexus, the co-location of National 01 is its modular design, which will facilitate Environment Agency (NEA)’s Integrated future upgrades and refurbishments, even Waste Management Facility (IWMF) with Technology & Innovation while the plant continues to be operated. the Public Utilities Board (PUB)’s Tuas This will provide flexibility for operation Water Reclamation Plant (TWRP), will A high overall plant energy conversion and maintenance while enhancing overall improve resource and energy recovery efficiency of 28 percent is foreseen for the system reliability and availability. as well as land use optimisation through waste-to-energy component of the IWMF. various synergies derived from the This will be achieved through several Tuas Nexus Synergies integration of solid waste and used water design features. The incinerator-boilers treatment processes. will be designed to operate at a high steam The co-location of IWMF and TWRP pressure of 55 bar gauge; superheaters allows NEA and PUB to integrate solid National Environment Agency, Singapore in the flue passes will raise the steam waste treatment processes with used water temperature to 440 degrees Celcius; a treatment processes and harness innovative The Tuas Nexus’ IWMF is set of external superheater tube bundles, synergies. The by-product of one facility part of NEA’s long-term plan which will be located outside the flue passes becomes a resource for the other facility. to meet Singapore’s future and heated by biogas, will raise the steam For example, the IWMF will supply the solid waste management needs. temperature to 480 degrees Celcius; and TWRP with the electricity generated from air-cooled condensers will maintain the the incineration of solid waste, while the Tuas Nexus – Integrated Waste turbine exhaust at a relatively low pressure TWRP will supply the IWMF with treated Management Facility of 0.12 bar absolute. Eventually, the IWMF water for process use. Another key synergy will be able to generate approximately 2 involves the co-digestion of food waste The IWMF will be built with state-of- million MWh of electric power per year, and used water sludge. Food waste will be the-art equipment and technologies which is enough to cater to the electrical processed at the IWMF so as to produce a to treat multiple waste streams. This energy needs of some 300,000 four-room high quality food waste slurry. This slurry is unlike the existing incineration HDB homes. The IWMF will also feature an will then be pumped to the TWRP and co- plants in Singapore that treat only advanced wet flue gas treatment system that digested with used water sludge to increase incinerable waste. The waste streams will ensure low air emissions to reduce any overall biogas production. The biogas that the IWMF will treat are as follows: impact on the environment and the volume from TWRP will be combusted in IWMF’s of residues that have to be put into landfills. external biogas superheater section to • 5,800 tonnes per day of incinerable The lower volume of residues will help enhance overall plant efficiency. waste; extend the lifespan of Singapore’s Semakau Landfill. Another key feature of the IWMF • 250 tonnes per day of household recyclables collected under the National Recycling Programme (NRP); • 400 tonnes per day of source-segregated food waste; and • 800 tonnes per day of dewatered sludge from TWRP. 074 envision

02 Food waste will be processed at the IWMF to produce a high quality food waste slurry. This slurry will then be pumped to TWRP and co-digested with used water sludge to increase overall biogas production. 03 issue 16 075

Industry Spotlight 04 Loaders are working on a mountain garbage Interview with IWMF Project Can you share about the waste treatment facilities housed under one roof Director, Mr. Joseph Boey situation here in Singapore? to provide integrated waste treatment services. The uniqueness of the facility lies Joseph Boey is the Project Director of J: Over the last decade, NEA has not just in its capability to treat multiple the IWMF in NEA’s Waste and Resource implemented several waste minimisation waste streams in the future, but also in Management Department (WRMD). policies and initiatives to curb the rate the integration of processes with PUB’s WRMD is responsible for the operation of increase in waste generation. Yet, TWRP. Through the latter feature, it will be and maintenance of Tuas Incineration waste generation grew at a compounded possible to harness synergies that will bring Plant, Tuas South Incineration Plant, annual rate of 2.4 percent over the same about greater benefits to Singapore. and Semakau Landfill. It also regulates period. To raise awareness for the need the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to stem waste growth and move towards What do you think will be some incineration plants and formulates a circular economy, 2019 was declared of the challenges you will face? policies to promote waste minimisation the Year Towards Zero Waste. The IWMF and recycling in Singapore. With more than is intended to treat waste that cannot be J: There will be multiple challenges facing 20 years of waste management reused or recycled and will be a critical part NEA and PUB during the construction and experience, he is now leading of Singapore’s future waste management operation phases of the two projects. As the development of NEA’s Integrated Waste infrastructure. the two facilities within Tuas Nexus will be Management Facility. constructed at about the same time, there What are your views on will be multiple activities taking place that Singapore’s current green / 3R will have to be monitored carefully. Another habits? Do you personally challenge will be the need to align the think more can be done by completion timelines of the two facilities individuals to safeguard our within Tuas Nexus and commission the environment? various synergies. We may also potentially face challenges such as having available J: Our vision of a Zero Waste Nation can skilled workers for the development and be achieved through collective efforts operation of Tuas Nexus, and synchronising and we think that it is important to work the operations of the two facilities to closely with our stakeholders and partners achieve the intended benefits of the various to build up a strong 3R (Reduce, Reuse synergies. and Recycle) culture in Singapore. The current 3R programme we have put in How did your team research place is applicable to all Singaporeans from solutions to these problems? all walks of life. They impact individuals, schools, businesses, and community groups. J: NEA has been operating incineration Everyone in Singapore can partake in the plants for 40 years since the 1970s. existing 3R efforts and help move Singapore Thus we have extensive expertise in the towards a Zero Waste Nation. operation and maintenance of waste-to- energy incineration plants. Likewise, PUB What are some of the key has substantial experience in designing, features of the Tuas Nexus managing, operating, and maintaining IWMF? water reclamation plants. Therefore, each agency has its own niche expertise in its J: The Tuas Nexus IWMF will be different respective area of work. What we did was from existing incineration plants in to bring our areas of expertise together Singapore, which only treat incinerable to develop solutions that offer better waste. Other than incinerable waste, the benefits from the integration of solid and Tuas Nexus IWMF will also be able to liquid waste treatment processes. We treat source-segregated food waste and have completed various studies and taken dewatered sludge from TWRP. Comingled reference from state of the art technologies recyclables collected from households all in each of our respective domains when around Singapore will also be sorted at considering how the two facilities can be IWMF. There will therefore be four waste integrated. 076 envision

04 Upon completion of these When the project is completed, integrated facilities, what do do you think this development As Singapore is land-scarce, you think will be some of the will become the new standard waste management in the reaped benefits? for integrated waste future will likely have to management? J: When Tuas Nexus is completed, we come in the form of will be able to help Singapore achieve J: The concept of the Tuas Nexus has integrated facilities that her long term environmental and water stirred a lot of interest in the global waste are not only innovative, sustainability goals. This includes meeting management and used water treatment effective, and efficient, Singapore’s capacity requirements to industries. I think it will likely spin off manage and treat various solid waste similar projects elsewhere given the but will also streams and wastewater on a daily basis. potential benefits that Tuas Nexus will optimise land use. bring to Singapore. issue 16 077

Industry Spotlight Converting Food Waste into Resources Onsite E2S2-CREATE, a joint research programme between the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Shanghai Jiaotong University (SJTU), hosted under NUS Environmental Research Institute (NERI), is waging an all-out war on food waste. By Tong Yen Wah, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore 01 Associate Professor Tong Yen Wah, anaerobic  digestion, or AD, is commonly fraction in all municipal solid wastes that co-Programme Director of E2S2- used for handling of organic wastes like are generated worldwide.  In Singapore, CREATE and from the Department food, manure, and horticultural wastes. around 763,100 tonnes of food waste were of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Through AD, biodegradation of these wastes produced in 2018 according to the statistics at NUS, has developed a compact and generates biogas comprising  methane of Singapore’s National Environment odourless anaerobic digestion system to (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) that can Agency, accounting for almost 10 percent convert food waste into electricity, hot be converted into electricity and heat. of the nation’s waste, with only 17 percent water and fertiliser. Food scraps, table Although limited by the minimal energy of it being recycled or converted into wastes, and kitchen wastes can all be content in wastes, this energy can be a good other products. Improper disposal of food handled quickly and efficiently where it is supplement to the power grid to mitigate waste  can create public health concerns generated without having to worry about the global warming potential of the waste.  and cause adverse environmental impacts transportation, collection, smell, and health The research group in E2S2-CREATE as it breaks down quickly, attract rodents issues. led by Prof Tong designed, fabricated, and flies, and produces a foul smell.  For Research on sustainable methods to and assembled an AD system in a almost a century, AD  has been known turn solid wastes into renewable resources mobile container  in order to realise to be an effective technology that has is growing quickly in the 21st century onsite waste  treatment and  electricity been proven for handling food waste and because of increasing global population, generation  in a sustainable and eco- also manure.  However, conventional depletion of natural energy resources, friendly way. AD technologies require large land area, and the environmental burden brought on An anaerobic digester  works  like occupying space more than 25 times the by an increasing amount of waste being a biochemical stomach that breaks down volume of the waste itself. In addition, generated. Among the many waste-to- organic matter in an airless environment. large-scale digesters are often smelly resources technologies being developed, \"Based on our own formulation of the and dirty as the wastes are not handled microbial community, our digester properly. All these have hindered the efficiently breaks down food waste into development of AD within cities like biogas that is subsequently converted into Singapore. heat and electricity,” explained Dr Zhang This new compact AD system was Jingxin, the lead Research Fellow from developed after 5 years of research in E2S2- E2S2-CREATE  who designed the system CREATE with funding from the National under the supervision of Prof Tong. Research Foundation of Singapore (NRF) Food waste is among the  biggest under its Campus for Research Excellence 078 envision

01 The E2S2-CREATE 20-feet self-sustaining mobile container that has an anaerobic digester to treat up to 200kg of food waste, converting the waste into electricity and heat. It is currently located outside of Raffles Hall at NUS, treating food waste from its canteen since March 2018 02 A schematic showing the plan for treating food waste generated from canteens and hawker centres Self-sustaining anaerobic digestion system for food waste Food Anaerobic Gas Biogas Heat Waste Biodigester Purification Storage Tank Exchanger Storage Tank ∞ Contains anaerobic Tanks ∞ Heat can be used to produce hot water microorganisms to (water source is either the rain, or via a tap) Blender ∞ To store crushed convert food waste ∞ To remove moisture food waste into biogas and trace gases such ∞ When the temperature difference between ∞ To crush food waste as Hydrogen Sulfide the water tank and the anaerobic biodigester into smaller pieces ∞ Crushed food ∞ Biogas consists of (the gas that makes is more than 10 degrees C, hot water will be waste is then methane-rich gas food waste smelly) channelled into the jacket surrounding the ∞ Strong enough to pumped into anaerobic biodigester to keep the biodigester crush bones, eg. the anaerobic Outlet for at an optimum working temperature chicken bones biodigester Anerobic Digestate Engine ∞ Necessary so as not Generator to choke up the ∞ Anerobic digestate is pipes and pumps the product of digestion ∞ Once there is sufficient biogas, will use generator to generate ∞ Anerobic digestate can electrical energy and heat be converted into liquid or solid fertilisers upon ∞ The electrical energy further treatment generated is sufficient to power the entire system ∞ Excess electrical energy is stored in the battery, which is kept in the control room 02 and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) enhancement is being studied where the energy that can be stored in batteries to programme. From the lab bench with 1L heat generated is used to produce hot power or charge electronic devices such as and 5L glass bioreactors to study the types water that  gets  channelled back into a mobile phones and tablets. Operational data of food waste generated, the team then jacket  layer  surrounding the digester. over a period of one year shows that one designed a 30L, 100L and 1000L steel This increases the digestion temperature  tonne of food waste can generate between bioreactors to enhance the efficiency to about 50-60 degrees Celsius which can 200 kilowatt-hours (kWh) to 400 kWh and optimize the continuous operation speed up digestion by 2 to 3 times. From the  of electricity, depending on the composition of the digestion over periods of 6 months controller, sensors  and lights,  to  the of the food waste. For instance, food waste and 1 year. Following all of these learning engines, pumps and ventilating fans, that is high in carbohydrate and fat content experiences, a full-scale demonstration every component of the system runs produces more biogas, thus yielding more system was designed based on the notion entirely on electricity generated from electrical energy. to handle food waste from canteens onsite. the  AD system without input from the Another enhancement to the system is \"As part of the Zero Waste Nation grid. There is even excess electrical through the use of solar power as it is the goal, E2S2-CREATE wants to play our part most abundant form of renewable energy. in reducing waste  in Singapore. Our Research on sustainable We have coupled the AD system with solar digester system is compact for placement methods to turn solid wastes energy through solar photovoltaic and solar onsite, automated for easy operation, thermal collectors.  This integrated eco- and designed to be odourless. We into renewable resources system is composed of an AD subsystem, a can even generate electricity, heat, is growing quickly in the 21st solar subsystem, an engine generator, and a and fertilisers  from food waste that century because of increasing storage battery. The solar subsystem is used would otherwise be disposed  of.  Our global population, depletion to produce electricity to drive the start-up advanced system can be easily controlled of natural energy resources, of the AD subsystem while the solar thermal and monitored through the cloud to and the environmental burden collectors is used to produce additional hot ensure optimal performance and safety. For brought on by an increasing water for operation in lower temperature example, we have built-in controllers and locations such as China and North America. sensors that are programmed to send out amount of waste being This integrated system can maintain end-of-process updates and flag any safety generated the efficiency of our AD for operation concerns in real-time directly to the team worldwide and not just in Singapore. via mobile phone alerts,” said Prof Tong. To date, E2S2  researchers have  Currently, further optimisation and developed  two types of the compact issue 16 079

Industry Spotlight 03 Prof. Tong and Dr. Zhang inside the mobile food-waste-to- resources container system, standing next to a 1000L anaerobic digester 04 Food waste from Raffles Hall canteen being added to the anaerobic digester system located onsite to convert the food waste into energy and fertiliser and hot water 03 04 AD system, a mobile unit  that  can be be stored, this larger digester system would example, we have been training cleaning moved to different locations as and be able to process up to 400 kilograms staff in one of the NUS canteens to separate where the food waste are generated, and of wasted food daily, negating the need pure food waste and other impurities like an onsite in-building unit that is meant for NUS to have the waste disposed of by plastic and paper contaminants like plastic to be permanently located in once place. waste collectors. Potentially, this can save cups, paper plates, and disposable utensils. The mobile digester system  is  currently NUS up to S$14,000 of waste disposal fees We have also increased the awareness of being  piloted  at Raffles Hall,  one of the per year from the Frontier canteen alone. students dining at the Raffles Hall canteen six halls of residence of NUS, since The digester also produces a  nutrient- to sort their food wastes before it can be January 2018. The 20-foot white container rich digestate which can be processed to treated at the mobile system to generate stands out clearly as an environmentally produce liquid fertilisers for gardening electricity to charge their phones. sustainable solution for NUS. It can also and horticultural needs in NUS, further E2S2-CREATE has opened the mobile be transported to different sites to where saving on the need to purchase chemical AD unit to the public as part of Singapore’s ad-hoc demands for a food waste recycling fertilisers. Year Towards Zero Waste in 2019. Videos, facility is needed.  This mobile unit “Unlike composting  which is used brochures, and real facilities has been occupies  one-and-a-half  car parking in a lot of commercial waste food digesters, prepared and will be shown to the public lots and  has solar panels on its roof for anaerobic digestion is relatively odourless for education purposes.  An average of additional power in heating the digester which makes  this approach  suitable  for 2.5 kilograms of food waste is generated while there is a tank to collect rain water an urban city environment. Our system by each household in Singapore, and if in producing hot water. While Raffles Hall removes moisture and trace gases such as these can be sorted and treated effectively, generates 50 kilograms of food waste per hydrogen sulphide that gives food waste the economic and environmental day on average (Figure 4 shows food waste its unpleasant smell. We have even been benefits are many.  For every tonne of being added to the digester), the mobile unit growing vegetables such as xiao bai cai and food waste, 160-270 cubic metres of has a capacity for up to 200 kilograms. The kang kung successfully using the fertiliser biogas is produced from AD which can be electrical energy generated by the system produced from food waste,”  explained  converted to 340-680 kWh of electricity. is more than sufficient for operation of the Prof Tong. At a price of 20 cents per kWh, the AD system and extra electricity is used in In addition to the technological economic cost saved is thus S$68-137. a mobile charging station where students advances of the AD system, having an onsite Environmentally, it would save the can charge their mobile phones and tablets food waste treatment increases public equivalent of 5,400-9,200 cubic metres of for free. awareness and education on reducing waste carbon dioxide from being emitted The stationary system made by E2S2- generation. Research in E2S2-CREATE has to the atmosphere, and 10-20 kilograms of CREATE researchers have been deployed spread the knowledge to NUS students and ash from being transported to Singapore's at the Frontier Canteen in NUS. Taking up staffs regarding the waste sorting, waste fast-filling landfill of Pulau Semakau. some of the space where food waste used to recovery, and  waste-to-energy.  In one 080 envision

05 E2S2-CREATE is a research programme funded by NRF under its CREATE umbrella as a partnership between SJTU and NUS 06 Biannual workshops have been held in Singapore and Shanghai for discussions between industry, government and academia on these two major challenges that cities have to tackle urgently The Future 05 metabolites and toxins. Biannual workshops have been held in Singapore and Shanghai Currently, E2S2-CREATE has patented the solutions for cities in managing wastes and for discussions between industry, design of this compact anaerobic digester emerging contaminants. With more than 30 government, and academia on these two system, and has spun-off a company faculty members each from NUS and SJTU major challenges that cities have to tackle to commercialise it in Singapore and participating in the programme, E2S2 has urgently. A second 5-year phase for E2S2- China. With over 140 hawker centres and published more than 200 journal articles CREATE just started in August 2018 and 200 canteens or food courts in Singapore and filed for 18 patents in the field of the programme will further translate its alone, the market for this technology can be environment, energy, and waste. In addition findings into solutions for both Singapore readily seen. New research into processing to having spun-off one company, it has and Shanghai. the AD digestate into suitable fertilisers for helped to establish guidelines for detecting horticulture and crop farming will further new and emerging contaminants like result in commercialisable technology and persistent organic pollutants, antibiotics products. and other pharmaceutics, and algal “We  are  keen to see whether this model  could  work in Singapore’s  public housing of HDB blocks and condos.  The anaerobic digester has the potential to help reduce the amount of food waste to be disposed of while treating waste in a more sustainable manner, as well as be more energy and resource efficient,” said  Prof Tong. E2S2-CREATE E2S2-CREATE is a research programme funded by NRF under its CREATE umbrella as a partnership between SJTU and NUS. Led by Programme Director Professor Peng Yinghong from SJTU and Co-Programme Director Associate Professor Tong Yen Wah from NUS, the programme started in 2012 with the overall goal to provide 06 081 issue 16

Industry Spotlight From Waste to Energy Located on the edge of the island, the Waste-to-Energy Research Facility explores a way to complement Singapore’s waste management strategy. Its unique plug & play features make the facility an open platform for the test-bedding and translation of innovative technology in waste to energy and related domains. Assistant Professor Grzegorz Lisak, Director, 01 the amount of by-product (ash) while Residues and Resource Reclamation Centre, recovering energy concurrently. Slag, a NEWRI Singapore is a land-scarce country vitrified (glass-like) mass could potentially Dr. Babu Narayanswamy, Director, with the Semakau Landfill being its be used as aggregate in construction, such Engineering, NEWRI only offshore landfill. In Singapore, as for building roads. Slagging Gasification Dr. Wu Duo, Research Fellow, NEWRI about 8,000 tonnes of waste to be disposed technology, with its ability to reduce the Ms Wong Lok To, Research Associate, NEWRI daily are treated by four waste-to-energy amount of ash for final disposal will (incineration) plants with a fifth in theworks. significantly help prolong the lifespan of 082 After incineration, the waste is reduced Semakau landfill. to ash by up to 90 percent of its original The facility will also serve as an open volume. The ash and non-incinerable waste, research platform with unique ‘plug and at an estimated 2000 tonnes per day is sent play’ features, providing industry users to the Semakau landfill, which is expected opportunities to de-risk technologies on to last until 2035. a ‘miniaturised’ commercial scale. The highly versatile plug and play features will include Waste-to-Energy Research the capability to process diverse feeds, Facility such as municipal solid waste, incineration bottom ash, refuse derived fuel and Jointly developed by the National sludge, and provisions for evaluation of Environment Agency (NEA) and the gas separation technologies, syngas Nanyang Technological University (NTU) upgrading, and flue gas treatment. through its Nanyang Environment and In addition, the facility will provide Water Research Institute (NEWRI), the opportunities to explore technologies WtE Research Facility at Tuas South is the for higher electrical efficiency and paths first of its kind waste treatment research to monetise waste through applications. facility employing high temperature The plant will also serve as a training slagging gasification technology in ground for building a talent pool of Singapore. engineers and operators. The NTU-NEA WtE Research Facility The WtE Research Facility has a aims at waste management through an capacity of 11.5 tonnes per day and the integrated approach. The WtE Research capability to treat all of the municipal solid Facility employs a new type of technology in waste generated within the NTU campus. Singapore, known as slagging gasification, This is in line with NTU’s aspirations which treats waste at temperatures much towards becoming a zero-waste campus. higher than typical conventional mass burn incinerators. The high temperature operation produces slag, and reduces envision

01 Photo of the WtE Research Facility 02 Overview of the WtE Research Facility’s processes 02 commercial facilities that use coke as at the landfill. This is a key advantage for the auxiliary fuel in Japan. Coke is used high temperature slagging gasification What is Gasification? to achieve high temperatures to melt the particularly in a land scarce country like ash, and to sustain the molten layer in the Singapore. Unlike incineration, the gasification furnace. Coke is however a non-renewable Incineration can treat waste at a process takes place in an oxygen deficient resource. A key novelty of the WtE research capacity of over 1500 tonnes a day. environment to convert the feedstock into facility is the use of biomass charcoal In contrast, the capacities of slagging combustible syngas. The syngas can be derived from wood sawdust in place of gasification in commercial facilities are incinerated in a boiler to produce steam to coke. This aligns well with Singapore’s about 300 tonnes a day per line. run a steam turbine-generator to generate green energy strategy. The facility is the The estimated costs of a high electricity. Alternatively, it has the potential world’s first coke-free high temperature temperature slagging gasification plant to be directly utilised, in a gas turbine for slagging gasification facility. In the future, are higher than that for an incineration a more efficient energy recovery, or in the other biomass sources could be explored plant of the same capacity. synthesis process to produce chemicals as potential raw material for the biomass or fuel. briquettes. Purpose of the WtE RF Why Choose High Temperature Advantages and Disadvantages • Demonstrate slagging gasification as Gasification? of Incineration and Gasification an alternative form of waste treatment. The WtE Research Facility is able One of the purposes of the WtE Research Like all technologies, incineration and to take in the wastes from existing Facility is to explore the option of high temperature slagging gasification waste treatment facilities, such as minimising the waste disposal volume. have both advantages and disadvantages. the incineration bottom ash from There are several types of gasification High temperature slagging gasification mass burn incineration plants and technologies applied in the industries with can take in all types of waste which can sludge from water reclamation plants. operating temperatures, ranging from 400 be treated by incineration, as well as waste degrees Celcius to 2000 degrees Celcius. such as industrial sludge that cannot be • The WtE Research Facility's modular The high temperature slagging gasification treated in incineration plants. The slag from design allows plug-and-play testing operating at above 1300 degrees Celcius, high temperature slagging gasification has of new sub-systems and individual melts the ash and discharges as vitrified slag the potential to be used in applications like components for custom-made solutions. after cooling in water. Slag is considered road construction. The residue required inert and has been used in Japan for road to be disposed from high temperature Application of an innovative technology pavement and concrete. Hence, the final slagging gasification is lesser than that would typically need sound demonstration residue to be disposed in the landfill is from incineration, thereby significantly of the technology in a pilot or demonstra- further minimised, thereby prolonging its reducing the amount of waste to be disposed tion scale unit. The WtE Research Facility lifespan. There are a sizable number of high temperature slagging gasification issue 16 083

Industry Spotlight 03 By-products of Slagging Gasification of municipal solid waste 04 The WtE RF was officially opened by Mr. Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources on 27 May 2019. From left Executive Director of the Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute (NEWRI), Prof. Shane Snyder; NTU President, Prof. Subra Suresh, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Masagos Zulkifli and CEO of NEA, Mr. Tan Meng Dui. Credits to NTU Singapore Municipal Fly ash 3% Domestic (Landfill) Waste High Temperature Slag Metal Slagging Gasification 12% (Recycling) 03 Through the spare feeding serves as a demonstration unit and the because doing so would mean disruption hoppers, we hold the capability link that enables translation of tech- in the normal plant activities. nology from a laboratory to full-scale Here, the WtE Research Facility has to take in various types of commercialisation. embedded plug and play features to enable waste such as incineration easy testing of alternative technologies. bottom ash, sludge from water By-Product (Slag and Metal) / There are plug and play features right reclamation plant, biomass Waste (Fly Ash) through the whole chain in the waste to waste, and residue derived fuel. energy process. The syngas extraction port at WtE Research Facility takes in around Through the spare feeding hoppers, the top of the gasifier, allows 11.5 tonnes per day of municipal solid we hold the capability to take in various the syngas, which constitutes waste from the NTU campus. The residue types of waste such as incineration bottom mainly of hydrogen and carbon from the slagging gasification operation ash, sludge from water reclamation plants, monoxide to be extracted from is around 350 kilograms a day of fly as biomass waste, and residue-derived fuel. the furnace for cleaning and and around 1400 kilograms a day of slag and The syngas extraction port at the top of 300 kilograms a day of metals. the gasifier, allows the syngas, which upgrading. constitutes mainly of hydrogen and Plug & Play features of the WtE carbon monoxide to be extracted from Research Facility the furnace for cleaning and upgrading. The upgraded syngas could be utilised What makes the WtE Research Facility a to run a gas engine or turbine for “research” facility? The plug and play joints higher energy recovery efficiencies, enable translation of downstream R&D, or to produce other high value products. technology de-risking, and test-bedding By tapping into the joints before and after of other potential WTE-related peripheral each unit of the flue gas treatment system, technologies. novel techniques to treat the flue gas can The biggest challenge for new be tested in this facility. High efficiency technologies, from the lab to the field, is system to produce oxygen-enriched air and to scale-up and test their feasibilities before low-grade heat recovery are other potential the commercial application. However, it is plug and play applications. usually very difficult for the developer to test in an operational commercial facility 084 envision

05 From left CEO of NEA, Mr. Tan Meng Dui; Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Masagos Zulkifli; NTU President, Prof. Subra Suresh on a site tour with Director of Residues and Resource Reclamation Centre, NEWRI, Asst Prof. Grzegorz Lisak. Credits to NTU Singapore 04 085 05 issue 16

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issue 16 Technology From Plastics to Aerogels A Made-in-Singapore recycling solution of worldwide plastic waste problems. NUS scientists at the Department of Mechenical Engineering have found a way to turn plastic bottles and other wastes into one of the most promising high-value materials in the 21st century. Assistant Professor Hai M. Duong, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore Professor Nhan Phan-Thien, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore The team led by Assistant Professor Hai M. Duong and Professor Nhan Phan-Thien at the National University of Singapore (NUS) took two years to develop a simple, cost-effective, and green method to develop plastic bottles and other wastes into aerogels. One plastic bottle can be converted into an A4-sized PET aerogel sheet and reproduced for many exciting uses such as heat and sound insulation in buildings, oil spill cleaning, and also as a lightweight lining for firefighter coats and carbon dioxide absorption masks that could be used during fire rescue operations and fire escape. A Series of World’s Firsts This is not the first time his team has created a new aerogel. Nearly three years ago, ME@NUS announced their “world’s first” cellulose aerogel, made of paper waste. In January 2018, it was reported that the researchers had, in another pioneering development, turned unwanted cotton- based fabric into an even stronger cotton aerogel. The three aerogels have overlapping applications, although cellulose and cotton 087

Technology 01 Associate Prof. Duong’s team is holding the high-values aerogels from various wastes (from left): cotton aerogel from fabric waste, PET aerogel from plastic bottle waste, rubber aerogel from car tire waste, cellulose aerogel from paper waste, coffee aerogel from coffee powder waste and okara aerogel from soya bean waste aerogels are more human-friendly and 01 1930s – and were used to insulate the Mars thus could be used for personal care Pathfinder rover in the 1990s. But this is the products like diapers, as well as in medical through the NUS Industry Liaison Office, first time an aerogel has been made from and battlefield settings, such as for to materials and engineering company PET, the same plastic used for water and emergency rapid haemorrhage control. Of Bronxculture, based in Singapore. soft drink bottles. the three, the PET version is the strongest The PET aerogels developed by the and has the fastest absorption capacity. PET Aerogel’s Wide-Ranging NUS-led research team is soft, flexible, But Assoc. Prof. Duong ’s team is not Applications durable, extremely light, and easy to handle. done yet with recycling environmental They also demonstrate superior thermal waste into “amazing” engineering Plastic waste is toxic and non-biodegradable. insulation and strong absorption capacity. applications. They did the same with Out of a 100 plastic bottles discarded here, Besides devising a more environmentally- rubber waste from tyres, food waste like only six are recycled. The rest end up friendly and cost-effective aerogel, his team coffee grounds and soya bean pulp, and either buried in land fills or as trash on has also shortened the production process – other agriculture wastes. People tend not land and sea. Such waste often ends up in which typically takes up to 7 days – to about to recycle now because they think waste oceans and landfills, affecting marine life 10 to 12 hours instead. cannot be more than low-value material, and causing problems such as groundwater And with an estimated 8 million tonnes believes Assoc. Prof. Duong, who has been contamination and land scarcity. Globally, of plastic waste entering the world’s oceans working at NUS for eight years. “As long the annual consumption of plastic bottles each year, there is no shortage of material as they know the value of the waste, (that) has been rising steadily, and it is expected that could be recycled into aerogel products. they can convert it into a very high value to exceed half a trillion tonnes per year Their possible real-life applications include material, (then) they’d recycle,” he says. by 2021. Imagine there’s a way to turn the creating a lining for fire-retardant coats and The PET aerogel technology was licensed plastic waste that ends up in oceans and carbon dioxide absorption masks that could exclusively to DPN Aerogels JSC, Vietnam landfills into a life-saving material, such be used during a fire, better heat and sound for mass production. NUS had earlier as making cheap fire-resistant jackets for insulation in buildings, and cleaning oil licensed the cellulose aerogel technology, all people escaping safely from high-rise spills. buildings in fire. In highly urbanised countries These scientists from the National Better Than like Singapore, the carbon University of Singapore and the Singapore Commercial Products dioxide absorption masks Institute of Manufacturing Technology and heat-resistant jackets have converted polyethylene terephthalate Over 95 percent of an aerogel’s volume made using PET aerogels (PET) bottles into a highly insulating and is made of air, hence the material’s high can be placed alongside fire absorbent material called aerogel. Aerogels, internal surface area and absorbent qualities. extinguishers in high-rise the lightest and most porous materials buildings to provide added known to man, have existed since the protection to civilians when they escape from a fire. 088 envision

02 Fabrication of the PET aerogel from plastic bottle waste 03 Associate Prof. Hai Minh Duong (left) and Prof. Nhan Phan-Thien hold PET aerogels from the plastic bottle waste. The black jacket embebbed with the PET aerogels for heat insulation and heat resistant uses 04 NUS licensed exclusively three IPs to DPN Aerogels JSC, Vietnam for aerogel mass production in Vietnam on 15 March 2018 03 02 04 Professor Nhan Phan-Thien expressed, dioxide from the environment. Its absorption aerogels for absorption of toxic gases such “Our PET aerogels are very versatile. capacity is comparable to materials used as carbon monoxide, which is the deadliest We can give them different surface in gas masks, which are costly and bulky. component of smoke. treatments to customise them for To illustrate this application, the team Over 25 companies worldwide are different applications. For instance, when embedded a thin layer of PET aerogel into interested in partnering them already. incorporated with various water-repellent a commercial fine particle mask to create a The companies care about the scalable chemicals, the PET aerogels can absorb prototype mask that can absorb both dust manufacturing ability, capital invesment, large amounts of oil very quickly. Based on particles and carbon dioxide effectively. manufacturing cost, product performance, our experiments, they perform up to seven Prof Nhan said, “In highly urbanised and potential markets of the aerogel uses. times better than existing commercial countries like Singapore, the carbon dioxide Their aerogel inventions have been sorbents, and are highly suitable for oil spill absorption masks and heat-resistant jackets featured worldwide on Reuters, National cleaning.” made using PET aerogels can be placed Geographic channel, NHK TV channel When coated with flame retardants, alongside fire extinguishers in high-rise and Channel News Asia, and also on over it can withstand temperatures of up to 620 buildings to provide added protection to 400 world-wide national newspapers degrees Celsius – seven times more fireproof civilians when they escape from a fire.” and magazines. Our green aerogel than the thermal lining in conventional Assoc Prof Duong said, “Masks lined technlogy and our group is the only one fire-fighting suits, but at about 10 percent with amine-reinforced PET aerogels can in Asia that won the 2018 Techbrief of the weight. Owing to its insulating also benefit people living in countries international competition amongst over properties, it also reduces sound more than such as China, where air pollution and 800 competitors from 60 countries. any conventional insulation foam can, and carbon emission are major concerns. As an added epilogue, the true solution insulates against heat many times better Such masks can be easily produced, and to waste problems must be at the sources, in than fibreglass. can also potentially be made reusable.” which the community, public, and private When coated with an amine group, Now, scientists are looking further to make sectors play a pivotal role in minimising the the PET aerogel can quickly absorb carbon a simple surface modification to the PET magnitude of the problems. issue 16 089

Together 01 Photo of Weijie serving coffee in a reusable cup Foreword Coffee 02 Photo of Weijie at work 03 Photo of Weijie making filtered coffee Lim Wei Jie: A Taste of Passion At Foreword Coffee, founder Lim Wei Jie is What got me started? For cold takeaway orders, serving up more than just coffee with every we shy away from using cup. Discover how his unique business W: I like how coffee connects people and practices that also help to reduce waste are I often ponder about the lack of interaction plastic cups and serve them awakening others to better possibilities for between people with special needs and in hot cups with lids; our environment. mainstream society. Marrying these two notions, Foreword Coffee was born. I didn’t this eliminates the need want to just run a coffee company, unless for straws. If we have to use I could do something more and worthwhile with it. What if every cup could help change disposable cups to serve things? What if it could do more for the our drinks, we avoid Earth too? putting on the lids. On top of employing people with special needs, I also wanted the business to do they really need that extra piece of plastic good for the environment. I realised that over the cup and they can help themselves I could actually do something about the to the lids. As much as possible, we try to large amount of waste produced by the café nudge our customers into doing what’s good industry from using disposable cups. for the environment. What was your first project? What’s next? W: Foreword Coffee was incorporated W: Personally, I feel that Singaporeans are in April 2017, with its first outlet at NUS. generally aware of sustainable products We’ve since moved to Civil Service College, and lifestyles, but often think that adopting and expanded to a second outlet at the them will be inconvenient and disruptive to Centre for Healthcare Innovation. their routines. As a young coffee company, we have Leveraging Foreword Coffee as a experimented with a range of initiatives, platform, I hope to share with fellow just to see what works for both my business Singaporeans that by taking simple steps and the environment. like changing our daily drinking habits, we Since our first day of business, we’ve can easily do our part for the environment been implementing a “Bring Your Own Cup” that we live in. policy, where customers get 10 percent At the end of the day, it may be a simple off if they bring their own cups. Here at cup of coffee. But I hope that through each Foreword Coffee, we also allow customers drink, we can gradually reduce our reliance who are staff working in the building on disposables and do our bit for the world to borrow our dine-in cups and return that we live in. at their convenience before we close for the I’ve chosen to do what’s good for me day. For cold takeaway orders, we shy away and the environment. You can too. from using plastic cups and serve them in hot cups with lids; this eliminates the need for straws. If we have to use disposable cups to serve our drinks, we avoid putting on the lids. This leaves our customers to decide if 090 envision

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Together 01 Photo of Peishan & Augustine picking out fruit UglyFood 02 Photo of Peishan & Augustine at their UglyFood: workspace discussing Seeing The 03 Photo of Peishan & Augustine cutting fruits in kitchen Ugly Truth Pei Shan Yeo and Augustine Tan have found purpose in showing us the beauty within “ugly” produce, so that we may judge it with our taste buds and not our eyes. Find out how they help reduce food waste by making the most of “ugly” foods. What got us started? 01 What got us going? P: When my Grandma fell ill, I discovered A: Upon further research into this cosmetic P & A: Through working with established a hidden truth: that for years, I’ve been filtering, we realised that this massive waste mentors in the F&B industry, we developed wasting perfectly edible food. For it was of food could be turned into a business a range of healthy recipes to transform only then that I started researching opportunity, that we could do our part “ugly” food into beautiful yet delectable about healthy diets for my Grandma, and in reducing food waste here – which has products. First, we started with juices. discovered how ugly foods are often being increased by about 40 percent in the last 10 Now we’ve expanded to ice cream and thrown away. That’s a huge waste of the years, and continues to increase. fruit tea as well, and we don’t plan to stop natural resources it took to produce them in until everyone starts seeing the beauty in the first place. They are perfectly edible and What was our first project? “ugly” food. as nutritious as other more aesthetically We’ve received strong support from pleasing food. P & A: UglyFood was born through a many local eco-conscious folks, but in university project while we were studying reality, there is still a large part of the at the Singapore University of Technology population who are not aware of the and Design (SUTD). We were working on a issue of “ugly” food being thrown out, project for Design Odyssey, a programme even though they are just as nutritious as established by SUTD-MIT International “beautiful” ones. We want to change the Design Centre, in partnership with the perspective of how beauty is only skin- JP Morgan Foundation. Design Odyssey deep – there is more to it than what meets aims to provide students with a seamless the eye! transition to professional practice by We are where we are today owing focusing on social awareness, innovation, to the various mentors who have guided and design. us through the different phases of our During that project, we started UglyFood journey. building UglyFood’s business concept by doing primary research and talking What’s next? to stakeholders, such as staff from supermarket chains, local farmers, and P & A: Working on UglyFood, we’ve learnt wet market stall owners. We then realised that problems should be seen as opportuni- that a lot of ugly food became ugly through ties, and our goal and vision for the company logistical processes such as distribution and transportation. 092 envision

02 Understanding the importance of reducing waste can help to shape the world we live in. is to explore food wastage beyond just the F&B space, like pushing the boundaries further than just cosmetic filtering, and looking at how to cut down excess food too. We want to use UglyFood as a platform to educate consumers, and shift Singaporeans’ mindsets from “I” to “We” and be more conscious of the larger community. Currently, most of us are not aware that it is not energy efficient for Singapore to incinerate unwanted food. This also contributes to the energy and resources used to grow produce, which in turn gives rise to global warming. Understanding the importance of reducing waste can help to shape the world we live in. We’ve found a way to do what’s good for us and the environment. You can too. 03 issue 16 093

Hacks Hacks POLICY ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY Stay tuned to the latest solutions to 01 environmental waste in the market, and be Autonomous Vehicles 03 up to date on groundbreaking innovations Widespread use of autonomous vehicles (AVs) Wind Energy Efficiency and policies that tackle the global issue could either massively increase or drastically cut One of the main obstacles in the use of offshore of wastage. greenhouse gas emissions depending, in large wind energy is the high cost involved in operations part, on public policy, according to new research. and maintenance. To boost wind energy in Europe, Well-managed AVs could increase mobility, researchers are developing tools to substantially improve safety, and reduce traffic congestion, reduce the operations and maintenance costs of while lowering emissions and reducing energy wind farms. use. https://bit.ly/2tj1WJd https://bit.ly/2RP0J7L 04 02 Solar-powered Moisture Harvester Post-Brexit Emissions Trading Scheme A breakthrough by engineers offers a new The UK’s Energy and Clean Growth Minister solution to pollution through solar-powered reveals that plans are underway to develop a technology that absorbs moisture from the domestic emissions trading scheme (ETS) that air and returns it as clean, useable water. could link with the existing EU scheme from 2021. The technology requires only solar power, This would ensure that energy and industrial firms is compact and can still produce enough continue to face a price on carbon emissions after water to meet the daily needs of an average the UK leaves the EU, hopefully with a Withdrawal household. It could also potentially replace core Agreement that allows it to remain in the bloc’s components in existing solar-powered water ETS through to the end of the current trading purification systems or other moisture-absorbing period at the close of 2020. technologies. https://bit.ly/2BYiuKW https://bit.ly/2TN5C4G 05 Chemical ‘Noses’ Scientists from five European countries have joined forces to develop next-generation ‘chemical noses’ to remove industrial pollutants from the environment. The European Commission allocated 2.9 million Euros to finance the Horizon2020 FET-OPEN project INITIO that will bring together researchers from TalTech and five other universities as well as other experts in an international research project. https://bit.ly/2BpW598 01 03 04 02 05 094 envision

ENVIRONMENTAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY WASTE MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY 08 11 06 Electric Car Batteries New Approach to Carbon Credits Upcycling Plastic Bottles Amnesty International has called out electric car In order to help the public in reducing food waste, Scientists from U.S. Department of Energy’s manufacturers for producing batteries through Denmark embarked on a new labelling programme National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) unethical and fossil-fuel intensive methods. for food packaging, which an app Too Good To have developed a recycling process that converts Rising demand for minerals needed to produce Go developed in partnership with some food polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into more useful the batteries has led to a surge in interest in producers. The new marking ‘often good after’ products with longer lifespan, which could be deep-sea mining. would replace ‘best before’ on certain products. used in car parts, wind turbine blades, surfboards, https://bit.ly/2FzDhHc Founder of NGO Stop Wasting Food, Selina Juul, or snowboards. Currently, recycled PET has a explained that the current food labelling could be lower value than the original, and can only be 09 confusing, as many perceived that ‘best before’ repurposed once or twice. Energy Efficient Labels means ‘worst after’ and throw food out to be on https://bit.ly/307NMJ0 The European Commission has adopted the safe side. the final format of the new “clearer” energy https://cnn.it/2uhrd73 07 efficiency labels covering home appliances such Innovative Nanocoating as dishwashers, washing machines and driers, 12 The innovative nanocoating technology was refrigerators, lamps and electronic displays A New Process for Converting Plastic Waste developed by a research team from KTH Royal to help consumers make better informed to Fuel Institute of Technology, Sweden and was further purchasing decisions, and save money in A new process, which uses supercritical water to investigated together with PP Polymer, Sweden, the long term. transform polypropylene plastic waste into fuel as part of the EU Horizon 2020 funded project https://bit.ly/2HMkHx2 and other products, has been developed by Ms CLAIM: Cleaning Marine Litter by Developing Linda Wang, the Maxine Spenser Nicols Professor and Applying Innovative Methods in European 10 in the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering at Seas. AI and Wind Energy Purdue University, who is leading the research on https://bit.ly/2GNRQbO Google has boosted the wind energy production the new plastic-to-fuels method. at its largest renewable energy facilities in the US https://bit.ly/2CnoHAw 06 by 20 percent, through its own artificial intelligence (AI) software. The machine-learning algorithms 13 allowed Google to forecast the energy output Upcycling Plastic Bags to Batteries of a wind farm 36 hours in advance, taking into Researchers have found a new method to consideration factors such as weather forecasts convert plastic bags into carbon chips that and energy market fluctuations. could be used as anodes for lithium-ion https://bit.ly/2KTU2kd batteries. Scientists have long recognised that the polyethylene in plastic bags could be an inexpensive source of energy-storing carbon. However, previous methods to upcycle polyethylene into pure carbon have been inefficient or required expensive, complex processes. https://bit.ly/2ExtS2k 14 Biodegradable Beer Packaging Guinness’s parent company, Diageo, announced that the iconic Irish stout will no longer use plastic rings or shrink wrap. Instead, the company will 07 09 invest $21 million to replace plastic with 100 percent recyclable and biodegradable cardboard, according to CNN Business. The change, which will be introduced in Ireland in August and the rest of the world by August 2020, also applies to Guinness’s other products, Harp and Smithwick’s. https://bit.ly/2FLA6eX 08 10 issue 16 095

Reads POLICY Reads Ocean Sanctuaries Threatened Wildlands The climate action group Greenpeace released New Zealand recently released a brand Stay up to date on the latest environmental a report in April 2019 which lays out a plan new government report, detailing the state news and breakthroughs, get useful insights for how world leaders can protect more than of their environment in relation to global on cutting edge trends and developments 30 percent of the world’s oceans in the next waste management trends. The Environment around the world. decade — as world governments meet at Aotearoa 2019 explains how irresponsible the United Nations to create a historic Global waste management globally can harm New Oceans Treaty aimed at strictly regulating Zealand's pristine shores. activities which have damaged marine life. https://bit.ly/2NIZoBd https://bit.ly/2XE14zB CLIMATE CHANGE NASA Verifies Global Warming Trends Alkaline-based Emission Solutions A new study by NASA has verified the accuracy 7 billion tonnes of alkaline materials are of recent global warming figures. The team produced globally each year as a product or used measurements of the ‘skin’ temperature by-product of industrial activity. The aqueous of the Earth taken by a satellite-based infrared dissolution of these materials creates high pH measurement system called AIRS (Atmospheric solutions that dissolve CO2 to store carbon Infra-Red Sounder) from 2003 to 2017. They in the form of solid carbonate minerals or compared these with station-based analyses of dissolved bicarbonate ions. These materials surface air temperature anomalies. may contribute a substantial proportion of the https://bit.ly/2JxUfXl negative emissions required to limit global temperature change to <2 °C. https://go.nature.com/2XoGY8o RECYCLING Plastics in the Antarctic Peninsula Although marine plastic pollution has been the focus of several studies, there are still many gaps in our understanding of the concentrations, characteristics, and impacts of plastics in the oceans. This study aimed to quantify and characterise plastic debris in oceanic surface waters of the Antarctic Peninsula. https://go.nature.com/2xqla1B 096 envision

POLICY Planet or Plastic? The Ups and Downs of City Life Toxic e-waste: Mobile Phones Fish nurseries off Hawaii are a microplastic For most of the six million years of human Technology innovation has accelerated mess. Naturally oily surface slicks in which evolution, all humans and protohumans lived progress in Information and Communications many ocean fish come of age are rich in at low population densities, scattered over the Technology (ICT), especially in the mobile plankton and other fish food—and now landscape as families or small bands. Only phones sector. Concurrently, local, national, also in plastics, according to researchers within the past 6,000 years, a small fraction of and international governments are enforcing at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric human history, did some of our ancestors come stricter regulations to protect natural resources Administration in Honolulu. together in cities. Today more than half the and human health. https://on.natgeo.com/2GoLNcv world’s people live in these new settings, some https://go.nature.com/2I97qA1 of which have tens of millions of inhabitants. https://on.natgeo.com/2XlzjMJ CLIMATE CHANGE Global Systems Targeting Carbon Capture Global CO2 Emissions Dataset A new study reveals important insights into the Targeting Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) We present a global dataset of anthropogenic factors that influence the release of greenhouse information to audience values is likely to be carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for 343 cities. gases from rivers and streams, including a key more effective than untargeted communication. The dataset builds upon data from CDP (187 relationship between storm events, ecology, and Mentioning (modest) costs of deploying CCS cities, few in developing countries), the Bonn topography in moderating this release. can lead to lower support. Discussing CCS Center for Local Climate Action and Reporting https://bit.ly/2J6HnrR costs should be done in the context of costs of (73 cities, mainly in developing countries), and broader energy system transformation, and of not data collected by Peking University (83 cities mitigating climate change. in China). https://go.nature.com/2NvlPtr https://go.nature.com/308wMCI RECYCLING Green Plastic Production Made Easy Plastic Waste in Aquatic Ecosystems Recovering Photovoltaic (PV) modules A one-step method enables scalable and more Environmental pollution with plastic waste has Global exponential increase in levels of environmentally friendly production of plant- gained increasing attention, as the contamination Photovoltaic (PV) module waste is an increasing derived plastic monomers, paving the way of aquatic habitats poses a challenge to these concern. The purpose of this study is to towards the mass production of a sustainable ecosystems. Plastic waste has direct negative investigate if there is energy value in the polymers alternative to petroleum-based materials. effects on animals such as reduced growth rate, to help contribute positively to recycling rates https://bit.ly/2NqSIHr fecundity, or life span. However, the indirect and the circular economy. effects of plastic waste, which has the ability to https://go.nature.com/2YrmRHX issue 16 absorb chemicals from the surrounding media, on chemical communication have yet to be 097 investigated. https://go.nature.com/2J64S4w

Opportunities Resource the World With Veolia Join us today! #WeAreResourcers Veolia is the global leader with Positions available: a single vision: to resource the world. With its 160 years of water, 1. Shift Operations Technician (x10) 6. Heavy Vehicle Driver  energy and waste expertise, Veolia places Class 4/5 (x20) its capacity for innovation at the service • Perform unit start-up, shutdown and of the pursuit of human progress, of plant turnaround activities via DCS • Picking up and delivering chemical performance for business and local console. wastes. authorities, and of people’s well-being. In order to improve its own and its • Minimum O level certification and • Possess valid Class 5 Driving Licence. customers’ environmental footprint, Veolia willing to work 12-hr rotating shift designs solutions that develop access to 7. Vehicle Attendant (x10)  resources, preserve them and renew them – 2. Chemical Process Operator (x4) this is how Veolia contributes to resourcing • Assists driver with unloading trucks the world. • Support equipment housekeeping, and other duties of physical labour as material unloading and loading, and required. Working at Veolia means being part of a maintenance service. community: the community of Resourcers. • Minimum N level certification. Whatever their area of expertise, sector • Minimum O level certification. of activity or the country they work, over 8. Weigh-Bridge Operator (x2) 171,000 Veolia employees worldwide help 3. Laboratory Technician (x10) “Resource the world” every day. They share • Verify quantity, weighs and measure the same mindset: they are optimistic, • Perform sampling, laboratory testing items of incoming and outgoing they never give up and they always move and analytical work. delivery against invoice orders and forward together! They see the world as it other records. should be, not only as it is: they see waste • Minimum ITE certification and no as valuable materials, wastewater as a colour blindness • Minimum O level certification. new water source, and waste energy as a new source of heat. #WeAreResourcers 4. Warehouse Assistant (x4) 9. Order Fulfillment Officers (x3) – Veolia employees Are Resourcers! • Support general warehouse duties, • Manage fulfilment of service orders Veolia Singapore’s brand new fully inspection of goods and inventory and work closely with Operations integrated, toxic chemical treatment facility management. for all scheduled collections and offers you great opportunities to be part of emergency response situations. this “Resourcers” community. Join us to • Minimum N level certification. start your rewarding career today! • Minimum Diploma certification 5. Cleaner (x 2) Please email your resume with photo to [email protected] • Maintaining cleanliness within the building facilities 098 • Physically fit. envision