Page 35 - Plastics News January 2021

internAtionAL news

Smart reverse vending machines Mexico broadens restrictions on

boost recycling in Singapore types of single-use plastic items

he introduction of smart reverse-vending machines ollowing a citywide ban on plastic bags that took
T(RVMs) by F&N Foods and the National Environment Feffect last January, Mexico’s capital has broadened
Agency (NEA)in Singapore last year has helped encourage restrictions on other types of single-use plastic items
more consumers to recycle their used beverage containers. including cutlery, straws, cups, and balloons. One of
Since the full roll-out of all 50 RVMs in June 2020, the the world's biggest cities has prohibited the use of
collection rates for both single-reward and multi-reward single-use plastic materials including plastic forks,
RVMs have increased steadily every month. The Recycle
N Save initiative offers a wide range of rewards to people
when they recycle at the smart RVMs. They can choose to
recycle at single-reward RVMs that offer NTUC Fair Price
supermarket chain discount vouchers or multi-reward
RVMs that offer four different non-monetary rewards. The
average collection rate for the multi-reward RVMs that
were only deployed in June 2020 increased by 2.6 times in
the span of four months from July 2020 to October 2020.
The findings suggest that there is greater environmental
awareness among users and recycling habits are starting
to form among members of the community, suggested the
NEA. As part of the government’s continuing efforts to straws and cups. Mexico's capital is striving to revamp
manage packaging waste, a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) its image as an eco-friendly, sustainable city. A broad
will be introduced for beverage containers within the next ban on single-use containers, forks, straws, and other
few years as the first phase of the Extended Producer ubiquitous items takes effect in Mexico’s capital, one
Responsibility (EPR) Framework. NEA plans to build on the of the world’s largest cities, after more than a year of
experiences of the Recycle N Save initiative in developing preparation. On January 1, Mexico City’s environmental
a DRS framework for Singapore. According to NEA close secretary said via Twitter that “from today on Mexico
to 4 million aluminium drinks cans and PET bottles have City [is] without single-use plastics.” The message
urged people to think of always carrying reusable
containers—like never leaving home without their cell
phones. Greenpeace's Ornela Garelli lauded the ban
as "a good measure, even in times of the pandemic.
To be effective, the measure requires the support of
citizens", the activist said.

Mexico City lawmakers passed the ban on plastic bags,
utensils, and other disposable plastic items in 2019.
The city of 9 million people has spent the past year
adjusting, or in some cases ignoring, the impending
law change. The ban on plastic bags took effect last
year. Light, allegedly biodegradable bags have become
more common at the city’s street food stalls. Plastic
been collected through 50 smart RVMs deployed across straws are offered less often. Fresh tortillas are handed
Singapore, including those under the Recycle N Save over wrapped in paper or cloths that buyers bring with
School Education Programme. According to the Singapore them. Mexico City voted to ban plastic bags from the
Environment Council, more than 467 million PET bottles capital’s shops starting last January, with a broadened
are used in Singapore each year, representing the size of restriction on other types of single-use plastics effective
94 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
January 1, 2021.

35 Januar y 2021 Plastics News