NEA pledges additional S$90 million for environmental services industry
It is also exploring new technologies for waste management
THE National Environment Agency (NEA) will provide a new tranche of S$90 million in funding through the Productivity Solutions Grant to support Singapore’s environmental services industry in its adoption of technological solutions and equipment.
Eligible companies can apply for the funding in the fourth quarter of 2024, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Amy Khor said on Wednesday (Jun 19).
The funding support will also be available throughout the grant application period until Mar 31, 2027.
Previous grants, which committed a total of S$60 million, supported about 2,000 applications and more than 600 companies. The initial funding for the environmental services industry was completely fulfilled, NEA said.
Examples of technological solutions adopted through the grant included floor scrubbers and escalator cleaners, which have been employed at Marina Bay Sands.
NEA noted that the adoption of equipment and solutions will “spur companies to improve productivity, strengthen capabilities and build a skilled workforce”.
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Additionally, the statutory board is exploring new technologies for waste management.
It issued a request for information about the industry’s interest and commercial viability of alternative disposal technologies to treat mixed municipal solid waste, announced Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu.
Currently, Singapore employs waste incineration to achieve up to 90 per cent volume reduction.
Municipal solid waste collected by public and general waste collectors are treated at Waste-to-Energy plants employing mass burn technology to generate electricity, before being exported to the national grid.
Both announcements were made at this year’s CleanEnviro Summit Singapore, which is organised by NEA and serves as a networking platform for policymakers, environmental professionals and experts.
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