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Guidebook on food waste reduction launched by NEA and AVA

A new guidebook on food waste reduction was launched on Monday (24 October) amid concerns that Singapore is running out of landfill space.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) jointly launched the guidebook, which is targeted at retail food establishments.

Through the guidebook, users can learn about how they can reduce food waste through means such as inventory management, waste treatment and recycling options.

Over the past 10 years, the amount of food waste in Singapore has jumped by about 45 per cent, and is expected to rise further with growing population and economic activity, according to a media statement issued jointly by NEA and the Singapore Hotel Association.

When food is wasted, resources used to produce and transport it are also expended. “The growing amount of waste is also not sustainable for land-scarce Singapore. If waste continues to increase at the current rate, our only landfill, Semakau Landfill, will run out of space by 2035,” the statement said.

Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources, launched the guidebook at an award ceremony to recognise the efforts of 14 hotels in minimising food waste.