When Paper Recycling Firms Fold: What Singaporeans Can Do To Support Recycling
- circular connection
- 13 minutes ago
- 2 min read
As local recyclers shrink operations or close under pressure from low paper prices and high costs, individuals can still make meaningful impact through everyday habits.
AI Image: OpenAI
As more paper recycling firms in Singapore scale back operations, the ripple effect is being felt across the city. The value of a box of compressed cardboard has halved since 2020 due to global oversupply, and local recyclers are finding it harder to stay financially sustainable.
In September 2025, SG Recycle announced through Eco-Business it would end its paper recycling programme by the end of October, citing rising costs and poor market conditions. The closure will see 84 smart paper bins removed from residential areas. This comes after Tay Paper Recycling, a long-standing player in the industry, shut down in 2024 following 34 years of operation. Informal waste collectors (karang gunis) have also reduced or stopped collecting paper, as plummeting prices make it unprofitable.
Image: Facebook/SGRecycle
With traditional recycling channels under pressure, it is no longer enough to rely on infrastructure alone. While policy support and subsidies may help, everyday citizens can also play a vital role by adopting simple habits that reduce waste and improve the quality of materials that do get recycled.
What Singaporeans Can Do
AI Image: OpenAI
1. Go digital as much as possible
Choose online news, e-invoices, and digital receipts. Scan or store documents digitally rather than printing. Reducing demand for paper at the source is one of the most effective steps.
2. Print with care
If printing is necessary, proofread on screen first, limit printouts to essentials, and always use both sides. Encourage offices, schools, and households to adopt this practice.
3. Repurpose used paper
Reuse old sheets for notes, lists, or children's art. Simple repurposing reduces waste and extends the life of paper before it is discarded.
4. Skip single-use packaging and extras
Bring your own containers, bags, and cutlery. Select items with minimal or recycled packaging, especially when grocery shopping. Over a third of household waste in Singapore comes from packaging.
5. Recycle right, not just more
Ensure all paper is clean, dry, and free of plastic coating. Contaminated paper often cannot be recycled. Sort materials at home to increase the quality of what goes into recycling bins.
6. Use community tools
Websites like recyclegowhere.sg map local recycling and reuse facilities, while online groups such as Repair Kopitiam encourage repairing, reselling, or swapping items instead of discarding them
7. Speak up as a consumer
Consumers can provide feedback to brands and retailers urging less packaging waste or more recyclable packaging. Many are beginning to respond to public demand for more eco-friendly practices.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
Image: Facebook/SGRecycle
SG Recycle’s popular paper programme will end by late 2025 due to rising costs and poor returns
Informal collectors are stepping away from paper as prices drop further
The cost of collecting, sorting, and processing paper has risen beyond profitability
Clean, sorted materials are more efficient to process and can help keep remaining recycling channels viable
When paper recycling capacities shrink, households can keep the effort going by focusing on quality, reduction, and smart habits.
