Launch of Say Yes to Waste Less Campaign - Dr Janil Puthucheary

Thank you to our distinguished guests, corporate and NGO partners, and everyone here for joining us at the launch of the “Green Movement with U” event, organised by UOL Malls in support of the Say YES to Waste Less 2026 campaign.

Since its inception in 2019, the Say YES to Waste Less campaign has encouraged Singaporeans to live more sustainably by reducing waste. This year, the campaign reminds us that "There's a Price to Waste."

Every item we throw away carries an environmental cost that is often unseen. From the energy, water and raw materials needed to produce what we buy, to the effort required to transport these items to our shelves and dispose of them when they are no longer wanted, waste consumes valuable resources at every stage. When we waste less, we conserve these precious resources and reduce our impact on the environment. We also reduce the impact to our wallets. Let me elaborate.

Every item that we choose not to buy unnecessarily, every reusable item we choose over a disposable one, and every meal we finish instead of throwing away – all of these not only reduces the amount of waste that needs to be managed, but also the money we spend on things we do not need or cannot finish. These small everyday choices add up, and when multiplied across millions of people, it can make a significant difference. For example, each person disposes of about 530 bowls of food every year — a reminder of how small amounts of food wastage can quickly accumulate when repeated across households and over time.

I am encouraged that we have made steady progress together. Today, each person in Singapore generates an average of 0.83 kilograms of domestic waste a day - about 21 per cent less than in 2015. This reflects the growing awareness among Singaporeans and the collective efforts of individuals, businesses and the community. While we should keep up the good work, there is still more that we can do.

To further this progress, the Say YES to Waste Less campaign continues to work with partners across the community, making it easier for Singaporeans to embrace waste reduction habits. Over the coming weeks, members of the public can look forward to a range of activities, including visiting the green retailers’ booths and participating in the upcycling workshops at the “Green Movement with U” event here at UOL Malls, where everyone can pick up practical tips and discover simple ways to reduce waste in their daily lives.

We would also like to invite members of the public to participate in a dialogue on Reduce and Reuse in Singapore on 29 August and 5 September, held as part of our ongoing review of the Zero Waste Masterplan. This is an opportunity for participants to discuss practical ways to minimise waste in their daily lives, and to contribute their valuable insights towards shaping future policymaking on reduction and reuse initiatives.

None of this would be possible without the support of our many partners. These initiatives are a testament to the collective impact that can be achieved when communities and businesses come together to make sustainable practices more accessible and easier to adopt. I would like to thank our corporate, community, schools and NGO partners for working closely with NEA to encourage more Singaporeans to embrace sustainable habits- in particular, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, United Overseas Bank, FairPrice Group, Koufu, Singapore Hotels Association, Pan Pacific Hotels Group, Zero Waste SG and WWF-Singapore for being here with us today in support of this event. Do stay on to visit the exhibits and network with one another.

A special mention to UOL Malls, one of our valued partners, for supporting the Say YES to Waste Less campaign since 2023. UOL Malls has demonstrated a strong and consistent commitment to sustainability, integrating environmentally friendly practices such as food waste digesters and recycling collection points across its malls to make it easier for shoppers and retailers to reduce waste and recycle responsibly. It is when communities and businesses come together to work with us that we can truly move the needle. These partnerships play a key role in inspiring more people to make waste reduction part of their everyday lives.

Building a more sustainable Singapore is a shared responsibility. Every effort counts, no matter how small. By making conscious choices to reduce waste in our daily lives, reuse where possible and recycle right, each of us can contribute to conserving resources, protecting our environment, and building a greener Singapore for future generations.

I encourage everyone to join us in Saying YES to Waste Less - today, and every day.

Thank you.