Most of the existing waste recycling facilities in condominiums started with a few passionate residents who care for the environment. Very few residents actually know that it took the Managing Agents and Management Councils effort to negotiate for those free recycling bins and facilities. The most unfortunate thing is, unwanted items were often found in these recycling bins. As a result, the waste collectors incurred further cost for separation of the waste.

One of the possible reasons for the slow take up rate may be the unwillingness of residents to adopt changes unless warranted. Thus, come 1 November 2008, all private estates of 50 strata units and above are required to provide waste recycling facilities. With rising business cost, this new rule is likely to increase the operation cost for condominiums. Having known that it is now law for estates to provide recycling facilities, the question is whether the waste collectors are still willing to provide waste recycling services for free. Assuming an estate of 50 units requiring 2 trips of waste collections and each trip costing about $100/-, each strata owner may be required to pay an additional sum of $4 per month for recycling service when the law becomes effective.

Paper is one of the common items for recycling because of its higher commercial value, possibly selling for $200/ton. Plastic and in particular, bottles are bulky and heavy, have minimum value and may only fetch $20/ton. That explains why residents and cleaners used to sell their papers but left the bottles behind for collection.

For the future of people on earth, let us share the cost in keeping Earth as green as possible and let's start this early as we can.