Parliament Q&A
Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Contamination of Recyclables in Blue Bins
24 February 2026
Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on contamination of recyclables in blue bins by Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment.
Questions:
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong. To ask the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) what is the specific average contamination rate in blue bins under the National Recycling Programme for 2025; (b) how has this figure trended annually since 2021; and (c) what are the top three specific contaminants that resulted in the highest volume of rejected recyclables in 2025 according to Material Recovery Facility data.
Answer:
The aggregated contamination rate for recycling bins and recycling chutes under the National Recycling Programme has remained at about 40%. This is due to the incorrect placement of non-recyclable items in blue recycling bins and chutes and contamination from food and liquid residues.
The most common items incorrectly deposited for recycling include electrical and electronic waste (e-waste), clothing and composite plastics (e.g. toys). E-waste should be deposited at the various e-waste collection points, and the public is encouraged to donate used clothes and toys if they are in good condition.