Singapore's waste collection fees to rise in July for sustainable waste management, NEA says

SINGAPORE: In an announcement that will affect all residents, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has revealed that the cost of public waste collection will see an increment starting 1 July.

This adjustment is said to be in response to escalating operational and manpower expenses that have burdened the sector in recent years.

For the majority living in Housing Board flats and non-landed private residences, the monthly household refuse collection fee will witness a modest hike from S$9.81 to S$10.20, marking an increase of 39 cents.

Meanwhile, occupants of landed properties must prepare for a slightly steeper rise, with fees going up by S$1.33, from the current S$32.67 to S$34.00.

The NEA has clarified that these revised charges are pivotal for maintaining the sustainability of Singapore’s waste management ecosystem. "The revised fees ensure that Singapore’s overall waste management system can operate sustainably," stated an NEA spokesperson on 28 March.

This fee adjustment is part of a biennial review process that takes into account the operational costs and the need for manpower which have steadily increased, reflecting on the fees charged by public waste collectors.

In Singapore, household refuse collection fees are a staple component of the monthly utility bill, paid to one of the three appointed public waste collectors - 800 Super Waste Management, Alba W&H Smart City, and SembWaste.

These firms are said to be selected through a rigorous open competitive tender process, ensuring efficiency and reliability in waste collection services across the island.

In an attempt to cushion the impact of these fee increases, the NEA has also highlighted the U-Save rebates. These rebates, specifically targeted at residents living in HDB flats, are designed to offset the refuse collection fees. Issued quarterly, the rebates for the fiscal year 2024 are scheduled for disbursement in April, July, October, and January of the following year.

In a broader economic context, a report from SingStat revealed that in 2022, Singapore’s utilities sector, encompassing water, sewerage, and electricity services, reported S$4.2 billion in profits from S$48.5 billion in Operating Revenue, after accounting for Operating Expenditure.

The sector, serving over 1.4 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers, is braced for further growth, propelled by an 18% increase in water prices set for implementation in 2024 and 2025, probably further boosted by the recent hike in waste collection prices.