14
IN THE NEWS
Singapore, 3 June 2014 – Packaging waste makes up about a third of domestic waste disposed of in Singapore. To tackle this issue, the National Environment Agency (NEA) started working with companies to explore ways to reduce waste generation at source, with concomitant cost savings from conservation of packaging resources. With the first Singapore Packaging Agreement inked in 2007, companies have reduced a cumulative total of more than 20,000 tons of packaging waste, saving an equivalent of more than $44 million. Under the second SPA commencing on 1 July 2012, which has a total of 149 signatories, the target is to achieve a total annual reduction of 6,500 tons of packaging waste by 2015.
At the 3R Packaging Awards, Nestlé Singapore (Pte) Ltd was among 20 companies recognised for reducing packaging waste.
The company has reduced the thickness of its MILO 900g pouch and NESCAFE Original 3-in-1 Coffee stick pack, and removed cardboard dividers when packing products for deliveries. These changes not only resulted in cost savings but also allowed the company to play its part of caring for the environment by conserving more than 36 tons of packaging resources per year.
Nestlé also went a step further, incorporating a QR code onto its MILO 1.4 kg tin can label to raise awareness among its consumers of the environmental initiatives by Nestlé, in areas such as waste minimisation
Vietnam is the world's second largest exporter of rice and 80 percent of it is grown in the Mekong Delta. But now farmers in at least two provinces say the future of rice production is threatened because of rising sea levels and temperature increases attributed to climate change. The video looks at the current threat and what farmers can do to adapt.
A handout picture released by the United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) as part of World Environment Day observed on June 5, of a bricks production worker on the outskirts of El Fasher, North Darfur. The production of bricks in Darfur is one of the most contaminating activities and erosive for the soil. (AFP photo)