2. Proposed solutions
The team researched the current happenings in other countries
and found that some of the solutions can also be applied in the context of
Singapore to encourage the reduced use of plastic as a material for beverages.
2.1 Dispenser-Type Beverages
2.1.1 Dispenser
for packaged drinks
Evian (2019) has officially revealed their
new product called “Evian (re)new”. This new product is a dispenser-styled
“water appliance” that dispense water designed for home use. It contains a
5-litre water container that will sag after water is dispensed. This new design is notable as the water
container is made with “100% recycled plastic” and can be totally recycled.
When compared to the traditional 1.5-litre water bottle also made by Evian, it
uses two-thirds lesser plastic to produce.
PepsiCo (2019) has launched a new “hydration
platform” in the form of a smart dispenser. The consumer will bring their own
bottle/container to the smart dispenser, then the dispenser will scan the
consumer’s unique QR code and dispense according to the consumer’s choice. As
the smart dispenser system uses QR code, it will remember the consumer’s
preferences. It will also automatically track the daily consumption of fluids
by the number of refills and the reduced “environmental impacts” by using the
system.
In Singapore, there is no such initiative
currently. As such, the team recommends Singapore to adopt this for research of
feasibility.
2.1.2
Dispenser for Hawker Centre-styled setting
In some of Singapore’s hawker centre, there
exist dispensers for common drinks like hot coffee and tea. The drinks operator
will make the drink in bulk, then they will put it in the dispenser and
consumers fill their own cup whenever they want to. The use of such dispensers
for beverages in stores can help to reduce stress on Singapore’s plastic
problem by encouraging consumers to use their own containers and reduce the
need for unnecessary packaging.
2.2 Rental cups
The current beverage stalls normally provide a plastic cup
when a consumer makes a purchase. Mahmud (2019) stated that “A new service
recently launched in Singapore wants to replace single-use plastic in takeaways
with reusable cups and containers that customers can rent technically for
free.” With such service availability, consumers do not need to bring their own
cup and are still reducing the use of plastic.
2.3 Using sustainable material as an alternative
2.3.1
Glass (for bottles)
Glass bottles could be an alternative
material for bottled drinks. Opting for glass as a replacement would be
feasible as there are many benefits it brings. Firstly, glass is fully
recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without degrading its value. Next, a
massive amount of natural resources are saved for every ton of glass that is
recycled. Lastly, recycled glass is substituted for up to 95% of raw materials.
According to one of our group mate’s
experience, the restaurant she worked at previously reused all the chilli
bottles instead of throwing them away and replacing them with new ones. Every
night, there will be a staff assigned to wash the chilli bottles that were
almost empty and would then refill with a new batch of chilli from the can.
2.3.2
Stainless steel (for straw)
Stainless steel is versatile yet one of the
most environmentally friendly materials. Stainless steel is
corrosion-resistant, durable, have high-recycled content and recapture rates,
provides long service life and reduces resource use. Even if stainless steels
are not recycled, they would not have any damaging effects on the soil or
groundwater of the landfill.
3. Benefits proposed solutions
3.1
Dispenser-Type Beverages
The use of dispensers encourages people to
store their favourite beverage in their own bottles. It reduces the need for
plastic bottles to be manufactured for the beverages. Also, plastic bottles and
cups’ usage will decrease, hence providing savings for businesses.
Beverages that normally comes in bottle form
can now switch to syrup form and install in the dispenser. This will not only
cut down the plastic bottle usage and also help the consumer to have a good
habit of bringing their own cup all the time. Such dispensers allow better
efficiency because customers will no longer require another person to get the
drinks for them.
3.2
Rental Cups/containers
Rental cups/containers allow customers to
patronise stores that only provide disposables takeaway without producing
packaging wastage. This is good as the savings on the packaging can be utilized
elsewhere. Also, reduce the hassle for consumers to bring their own
cups/containers which encourages the consumers’ participation.
3.3 Using
sustainable material
Glass bottles can be reused and recycled,
this creates an ecosystem where glass can be used multiple times and provide
convenience to users at the same time. The amount of energy used by reusing a glass bottle is lesser than recycling plastic waste, which makes it more
environmentally friendly.
Aluminium and steel are metals that can be
used to make cups and straws respectively. Metals are known to be durable and
can last a long time in terms of wear and tear. Thus, the use of aluminium cans
and steel straws can reduce the need for manufacturing plastic for beverages in
the long term.
4. Limitations of proposed
solutions
4.1
Dispenser-Type Beverages
In today’s throw-away culture, such practice
of utilizing our own bottles for beverages is uncommon. Thus, it might be a
hassle for consumers to bring their own bottles if they do not have the habit
of doing so. Evian Re(new) adopts the same way as to how a normal water cooler
dispenser works where the water is replaced per container. However, the container
is not easily purchasable, unlike the water cooler dispenser where there are
many different companies to purchase from.
It is only limited to homemade drinks such as
milo and coffee. This might also lead to uneven mixture over a period of time
and difficulties in maintaining the temperature. A consumer might abuse the
rule by taking more than what they paid for. The last challenge that will be
faced is the ability to tell whether it is empty.
As compared to noncarbonated drinks,
carbonated drinks require a carbon dioxide tank (CO2 tank) to produce the
carbonated effect. A CO2 tank that contains 31kg of carbon dioxide can last up
to 3 months depending on usage. This will also require additional manpower to
replace the CO2 tank.
4.2
Rental Cups
The system of having cups and containers for
rent requires huge logistic work. Furthermore, it relies heavily on users to
follow the practices. Customers might not be able to return the item on time
and in good condition. As this system is currently not implemented widely,
users might not be able to have access to the system. This makes it
inconvenient for visitors to make a trip to return the item.
Also, the system is prone to abuse, people
might not treat the items with care and will result in problems such as the
lack of proper sanitation which might cause other users to suffer from
food-related illness.
4.3
Sustainable material as an alternative
Even though glass is superior in terms of the
amount of carbon footprint it leaves behind, there are some drawbacks that make
plastic more preferable as compared to glass. Some drawbacks are weight and
fragility. Glass generally weighs heavier than plastic which means more trips
are required when transporting packaged goods which would lead to larger
environmental impact. To add on, glass has the tendency of breaking easily.
This means if a glass bottle is knocked over, it would leave a mess behind and
it would be dangerous due to the small fragments.
Since stainless steel, it is a good conductor
to heat, the straws made from stainless steel cannot be used for hot drinks.
Also, stainless steel straws might pose a hygiene problem if it is not cleaned
properly. As straws are long in nature, it will be difficult to reach the inner
side of the middle section of straw when washing.
References:
Evian. (2019, April 15). Evian Launches Evian (Re)new – An
In-Home Natural Mineral Water Appliance Featuring “Breakthrough” Sustainable
Design. [Press release]
Retrieved October 31, 2019, from
Mahmud, A.h. (2019, January 23). New service aims to cut out
single-use plastic from takeaways, rent out containers for free. Channel
News Asia.
Retrieved October 31, 2019, from
PepsiCo. (2019, April 24). PepsiCo Goes Beyond the Bottle with
New, Mobile-Enabled Hydration Platform.
Retrieved October 31, 2019, from
Yalcinkaya, G. (2019, April 20). Evian to launch collapsible
“bubble” to combat plastic waste. Dezeen.
Retrieved October 31, 2019, from