ISWA Blog: Winds of change sweeping waste investment landscape
Source: Waste Management World, 8 March 2016
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Photo: International Solid Waste Association (ISWA)
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David Newman, ISWA president, asks if change is happening, or about to happen, in global waste investment?
Rereading the AcuComm Waste Business Monitor from the end of 2015 (Issue 15) – I don’t always have the time to read these publications the day they are online – then what is startling are two pieces of data:
For the month referred to in this issue, November 2015, of the ten top countries for value of investments, five can be classified as less developed countries, with India leading the way. Interestingly, two African countries also appeared on the screen, Nigeria and Zambia for value, while South Africa features for the number of projects announced.
The second piece of data shows that the US and the UK are still the leading developed countries both for number and value of projects announced, a sign that these two nations are still investing heavily (though less so than in 2014) in waste infrastructure.
Now, we must always take announcements of projects with a pinch of salt- many will never be realised. Getting finance for them is often impossible, last minute planning decisions often torpedo the best laid plans; investors also pull out sometimes as market conditions change.
Full article here.
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Themed “Addressing the Economic Challenges and Sailing Into The Future", this 2nd run of the NTUC SME Symposium explores the macroeconomics landscape in Singapore, and how SMEs can build a future-ready workforce to overcome the challenges that lie ahead of us. The half-day programme features multiple discussion platforms such as plenary sessions, English and Mandarin dialogue sessions and business solutions exhibition. Come and pick up some ideas on how to cope with limited manpower and other challenges that SMEs face!
Click here to register now!
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ISWA Beacon Conference on Circular Economy and Resource Recovery
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Date: 30th to 31st, March, 2016
Venue: The Royale Chulan Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Waste Management Association of Malaysia’s (WMAM) 2nd ISWA Beacon Conference in Kuala Lumpur, based on the theme “Circular Economy & Resource Management”, could not have come at a better time! The ISWA study entitled “Global Waste Management Outlook” was released recently and it highlighted several daunting challenges facing the economy. Come and learn of some viable solutions for leaders and decision makers!
The 2-day conference will bring together several notable speakers on the circular economy from across continents, who will speak from the context of waste as a resource to be managed.
For more information and to register, click here or contact Ms Raelyn Rachele Chwee (raelyn@wmam.org) / WMAM Secretariat (secretariat@wmam.org).
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WMRAS Business Mission to Germany
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Date: 30 May to 10 June 2016
WMRAS is planning a business mission to Munich, Germany from 30 May to 10 June. The main purpose of the trip is to visit IFAT, the world's leading trade fair for environmental technologies and solutions. Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Amy Khor will be leading this business mission.
Contact the secretariat to indicate your interest NOW! Let us know your area of interest for the site visits or specific companies you would like to visit, even if they are outside Munich.
As IFAT is a hugely popular tradeshow and accommodation is usually snapped up quickly, we hope to hear from you no later than 18 March.
WMRAS will apply for iMAP1 funding for eligible companies to reimburse up to 70% of the eligible expenses2.
For airfare and accommodation costs, companies may apply to IE Singapore for the Double Tax Deduction Scheme (DTD) for up to 2 employees per company. More info here.
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1International Marketing Activities Programme
2Expenses such as overseas group ground logistics, publicity, networking, consultant’s fees and auditor’s fees are supported by iMAP. International airfare and accommodation are not supported. It would take approximately 90 working days after the completion of the activity for companies to receive the reimbursement from WMRAS.
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Exhibit in WMRAS’ Singapore Pavilion at CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESS) & obtain up to 50% iMAP funding!
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Date: 10 - 14 July 2016
Venue: Sands Expo & Convention Centre
In 2016, CESS will see deeper integration with the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) and the World Cities Summit (WCS). This serves to provide a value-added, seamless experience to the conference delegates and business partners, increase business connection and opportunities and creates a more robust and exciting business environment for both buyers and sellers.
In 2014, the 3 events received more than 20,000 high level delegates (Ministers, Mayors, CEOs), professionals and trade visitors from 133 countries, with over SGD14.5 billion worth of business deals announced or sealed at the event.
More than 70% of booth space have been taken up. Do not miss out on this opportunity!
To reserve your preferred booth location, contact Ms Noelle Toh, project manager at Experia Events DID: +65 6595 6146 or email: noelletoh@experiaevents.com.
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India considers bans, incentives for plastic waste issues
Source: Plastics News, 11 February 2016
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Representatives from the plastics industry and the government discussed plastic waste issues at a recent conference in New Delhi. Photo: Satnam Singh
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New Delhi — Plastic waste from bags and other packaging are increasingly taking center stage in India, prompting governments to use both carrots and sticks: pushing ahead with bans but also creating incentives to use discarded plastic in more constructive ways.
The country, for example, adopted legislation in November to encourage road builders to mix plastic waste with bituminous materials in highway construction, as a way to bolster markets for waste.
But governments also are continuing to push punitive measures, with the country’s largest state, Uttar Pradesh, adopting a plastic bag ban starting at the end of December.
Those were among the mixed messages delivered at “Plastic Packaging — the Sustainable Choice,” held Jan. 19 in New Delhi. It was organized by industry groups and India’s Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals.
It was clear that public pressure remains strong, and there were comments from government officials in favour of extended producer responsibility legislation, requiring manufacturers to help finance plastic waste collection systems.
Full article here.
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Jakarta Charges Rp5,000 for a Plastic Bag
Source: TEMPO.CO, 21 February 2016
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Local residents hold reusable bags during the #Pay4Plastic campaign in Bandung. The campaign is aimed at reducing the use of plastic bags. TEMPO/Prima Mulia
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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta administration implemented a new policy requiring modern retailers, convenience stores and traditional markets to charge Rp5,000 (US$37 cents) for a plastic bag.
“Plastic bags must be charged in traditional market and by modern retailers. People have to pay at least Rp5,000 if they want to buy one,” Jakarta deputy governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat said during the commemoration of the National Waste Awareness Day at Bundaran HI, Jakarta, on Sunday, February 21, 2016.
Djarot explained the new policy was implemented since the majority of waste in Jakarta comprised plastic bags. The new policy had been tried out over the last month and would be evaluated before being enforced as a regulation.
At the same event, Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya said that the policy implemented in 22 cities across Indonesia, would be tried out for six months with an evaluation once every three months.
Full article here.
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Practise 3R concept to avoid expenditure wastage — Minister
Source: BorneoPost Online, 26 February 2016
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Photo: freemalaysiatoday.com
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KUALA LUMPUR: People in this country are urged to practise a lifestyle based on the concept of reduce, reuse and recycle (3Rs) to avoid national budget wastage.
Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the annual cost of RM2 billion for the government to manage solid waste was expected to increase drastically from year to year if there was no awareness and cooperation from the public.
“The RM2 billion allocation should be used to build schools, clinics and improve the transport system for the benefit of the people. However, each year we (government) need to increase the allocation to manage solid waste due to the continued lack of public awareness on the importance and benefits of the 3Rs.
“Efficient solid waste management not only saves costs but is also seen as a measure of progress of a nation,” he said at a news conference after officiating at the National Solid Waste Management Laboratory Open Day, here, yesterday.
Full article here.
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Singapore's cleantech companies starting to take off in the region
Source: The Straits Times, 2 March 2016
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Singapore - In a small Philippine village about 600 km south-west of Manila and out in the country's western island province of Palawan, the price of a piece of forested land in a Unesco World Heritage site began rising, seemingly inexplicably, a year ago.
Residents there started clearing the land and building homes on it. The reason? News had spread that a Singapore company was going to build a solar plant there.
Atem R Ramsundersingh, the chief executive and co-founder of WEnergy Global, recalled: "The place was developing even before we went in."
The company is planning to build a US$10 million hybrid micro-grid in the protected nature area. The facility will have a capacity of 1.4 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar power, a 1 MW diesel generator and the largest clean battery in Asia at 1.7 MWh.
Full article here.
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Singapore's Keppel in £1bn Biffa bid battle
Source: Sky News, 7 March 2016
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The move comes three years after Biffa was taken over by its lenders
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A Singaporean infrastructure group is hoping to lay waste to rivals' interest in one of Britain's biggest rubbish disposal companies by sealing a £1bn takeover deal.
Sky News has learnt that Keppel Corporation, which has interests in the marine and property sectors, is one of several remaining bidders for Biffa.
Singapore-listed Keppel, which was involved in the development of a major waste-to-energy plant in Runcorn, Cheshire, is vying with the private equity group Apollo Management and an unidentified Chinese company.
Advisers to Biffa expect to decide in the coming weeks whether to pursue a takeover deal with one of the bidders or opt for a stock market flotation later this year.
Full article here.
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WMRAS warmly welcomes its new members:
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1) Chye Thiam Maintenance Pte Ltd
2) Mott Macdonald Singapore Pte Ltd
This brings our total membership to 120
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Contact the Secretariat if you would like to advertise in this newsletter or on our website, or if you have any training needs or business leads.
Waste Management & Recycling Association of Singapore (WMRAS)
Address: 10 Hoe Chiang Road #21-01 Keppel Towers Singapore 089315
Tel: +65 6222 5328
Email: secretariat@wmras.org.sg
Website: http://www.wmras.org.sg/
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the permission of the publisher. Contact the Secretariat if you have any questions.
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