As an individual of the 7 billion population, and if there is a significant proportion of industrial and commercial (non-domestic) waste, how am I responsible for mass consumption and production patterns? In economics, we learn that how much we consume as an aggregate is a result of the consumer demand and producer supply interacting. As one of the masses, do I make any difference for consuming or producing responsibly?
What is Responsible Consumption and Production?
According to the United Nations (UN), Responsible Consumption and Production imply ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns. According to UNESCO, a sustainable pattern is a “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Problem: Too Much Waste AND Wastage
The problem in the market is that there are too many raw materials being used in production and there is too much excess, and too much becomes obsolete.
Excessive food going towards a landfill in the backdrop of the scene? This was featured in the 2009 film Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, but this isn’t too different from a typical landfill in some developing countries.
Currently, for the amount of waste generated, available land for landfills are running out, evident in the problems faced by countries in the region like India and Singapore. A common solution to alleviate this problem has been the incineration of waste. However, while reducing the volume by burning the waste into ash, more carbon emissions are produced, creating more pollution. Furthermore, despite the reduced volume, the sheer volume of waste generated is still difficult to manage. Other viable solutions include recycling the waste products for other purposes, or exporting them —, a practice adopted by some countries that are regulated by the Basel Convention on Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their disposal. The Basel Convention is the international law for the export of toxic waste that threatens human health and safety, but not exclusive of other waste, like household or incinerator ash. However, these are not viable options in the long run as countries have a limited amount of land suitable for landfills — trash can’t be placed in places like our backyards, and it takes a long time for trash to be decomposed in existing filled landfills.
Causes
Which sector contributes most to the amount of waste going into these landfills? Apart from domestic waste that we produce in our everyday lives, industrial and commercial waste are also disposed of in large quantities. In Singapore, food waste makes up the largest component of the waste. On average, each person wastes an equivalent of 2 bowls of rice per day. We can only imagine how many impoverished the food waste could have provided for. Additionally, 14% of the global food waste happens before the food even reaches the consumers, as edible food is disposed of when suppliers produce more than the projected sales as a ‘buffer’ to prevent understocking. This can be, for example, in the forms of promptly disposing excess products nearing their expiry or products that are not as aesthetically pleasing to free up storage space.
Singapore’s Key Strategies for SDG12
SDG12: Target 12.1 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production
The first target is all-encompassing and inclusive. Let’s find out how it will be carried out in a local context.
In light of this target, Singapore implemented the Zero Waste Masterplan and Resource Sustainability Act to promote a circular economy. Under the Resource Sustainability Act, firms have to maximise their efficiency of resource use upstream and ensure that products are re-introduced into the supply chain as inputs after their use instead of being disposed of. As such, firms and businesses are expected to report on their packaging, and to collect and treat their waste to recover valuable resources.
Zero Waste Masterplan
The local authorities are focused on innovations and partnership of the 3Ps (Private, Public and People) as waste management concerns all stakeholders to tackle the existing problem. Every effort counts in limiting our consumption and production. This includes working with schools, businesses and the community in ground-up initiatives, developing infrastructures such as an Integrated Waste management facility in Tuas as well as partnerships with overseas partners and authorities.
Other targets beyond 12.1 under the SDG12 include sustainable use of natural resources (12.2), reducing food waste (12.3), and adopting sustainable practices in production and sustainability reporting for producers (12.6).
To sum it up, SDG12 is crucial as it can contribute significantly to an economy that is low in carbon and green by promoting resource use efficiency for food, water and energy. Moving forward, we should be mindful of our purchasing behaviours and treasure what we already have because our actions affect every one of us and the future generations.
Here are some changes you can make to your consumption habits:
- Be mindful of your purchase and lifestyle (involves commitment and planning)
– Buy what you need, reduce the want
– Buy from second-hand stores (Carousell, Cloop)
– If possible, borrow or rent from others - Share this around with your family and friends
A Major ‘hurdle’ – Economic Growth
Current trajectories and approaches to economic growth rely on unsustainable consumption and production for profits. As a result, responsible consumption and production under SDG12 aim to “promote the decoupling of economic growth and human well-being from resource use and environmental impact” [3] Whilst it is still an ongoing debate whether the pursuit for economic growth will still create environmental problems (even with sustainable methods), the consensus for the United Nations is to pursue a different pathway of economic growth that is sustainable. Therefore, before we put off our limited contributions as an individual, let’s also view the issues on a larger economic scale and reconsider our role in all of this — such as our power in engaging most stakeholders within our capacities.
The conclusion may sound challenging and complex, but I wish to convey a final message, a quote from The Amazing Spiderman 2:
“My wish for you is to become hope; people need that. And even if we fail, what better way is there to live?”