SINGAPORE — Singaporeans are generally quite proactive in taking steps towards a more sustainable way of living but more education is needed to teach people how to recycle properly, a recent online straw poll has found.

The online survey, which polled 100 people aged 16 and above between July 5 and 22, was conducted by Black Dot Research, a Singapore-based market and social research agency.

It found that while Singaporeans try to recycle using the blue bins located in housing estates, close to a third of respondents believed that plastic drinking straws, used paper cups and used plastic cutlery can be placed in the bins when they are in fact not recyclable.

In addition, about 7 per cent of those surveyed were under the impression that electronic devices are allowed in the blue bins, revealing that there is still some ignorance when it comes to recycling habits in Singapore.

The poll’s findings were released on Thursday (Aug 8), a day after a separate survey conducted by Mediacorp found that the vast majority of Singapore millennials are concerned about the impact of climate change and want to do their part to address the problem.

MORE SINGAPOREANS REDUCING PLASTIC WASTE

To cut down on plastic waste, six in 10 respondents said that they carry their own grocery bags to the stores, the Black Dot poll reported.

Additionally, 14 per cent said that they shop at zero-waste or bulk stores — where customers come with their own container for dry groceries.

However, a quarter of respondents still do not make a conscious effort to reduce their reliance on single-use plastics.

GREATER EFFORTS TO LIVE SUSTAINABLY

Three in four respondents indicated that they reduce food waste by purchasing or cooking only the amount they require.

Almost seven in 10 also said that they conscientiously buy energy efficient appliances for their homes while six in 10 have opted to go paperless for their bills and letters.

More than half of the respondents also do the following:

• Recycle using the blue bins at housing estates

• Donate used clothes and items

• Use water-saving taps and shower heads

• Use LED lights at home

AWARD INCENTIVES FOR SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

When asked on the measures that can be taken to promote sustainable living in Singapore, over one third of the respondents said that providing incentives for such practices is key to motivating others to adopt a sustainable lifestyle.

Another 21 per cent preferred national campaigns, while 15 per cent stated that more media coverage is necessary to raise awareness of the issue.

The survey also reported that 11 per cent of respondents believed that levies should be imposed on single-use products.