Is this really true? I can't imagine the amount of plastic waste per person per year is necessarily more than other developed countries. Also I don't remember using disposable plates/bowls when I ordered from the Hawker stalls unless you specifically ask for something to take away - otherwise there's shared reusable plates/bowls that are cleaned.
One thing I definitely know is that the stalls have bans on handing out napkins, which both serves to give the poor a way to make money and reduce the amount napkin waste by pushing the cost to you. I also think it's fairly common for residents to carry their own reusable utensils with them when they go to places like that.
The last few days I am here I try to be more aware and observatory, but I guess that now I am biased this won't work so well. But the first search results for plastic trash in Singapore aren't so optimistic:
"Analysis of the NEA data by Reuters shows that plastic waste per capita has increased nearly 20 percent over the last 15 years. Areport by the local Straits Times newspaper in March said each person in Singaporethrew away an average of 13 bags a day in 2016.05.06.2018" [0] and more plastic bags in [1].
But like some one already mentioned the amount of recycled construction materials is remarkable [2]. As I am not an environmentalist nor a plastic hater I wasn't looking for litter or trash here. But anyways it was enough to make me wonder. Now I am definitely interested in the numbers in comparison to other cities.
One thing I definitely know is that the stalls have bans on handing out napkins, which both serves to give the poor a way to make money and reduce the amount napkin waste by pushing the cost to you. I also think it's fairly common for residents to carry their own reusable utensils with them when they go to places like that.