Building a circular ecosystem

How can we develop closed-loop systems for collecting, cleaning, and recycling waste (e.g. used cotton gloves, rugs, and mooring ropes)?

BACKGROUND

To reduce carbon emissions within the port, PSA Singapore has implemented various strategies such as electrifying its cranes and utilising low-carbon fuel horizontal trucks for port operations, targeting its Scope 1 and 2 emissions. There are 15 categories of scope 3 emissions, of which category 5 (waste generated in operations) is challenging to tackle as items disposed could be contaminated and/or made of composite materials that are difficult to recycle. As such, how can we develop closed-loop systems for collecting, cleaning, and recycling waste (e.g. used cotton gloves, rugs, and mooring ropes)?

SIGNIFICANCE OF PROBLEM

• Cotton gloves/rugs can become heavily contaminated with substances like soot, grease and industrial oils during use for equipment maintenance, complicating the recycling process
• Many items are made of composite materials, which require advanced recycling plants equipped with sophisticated technology to recycle
• Even with advanced recycling technology, recyclers face difficulty in ensuring a consistent supply of specific feedstock so that operations are economically viable (e.g. required feedstock might surpass the amount of waste generated, or only a fraction of the total waste generated can be utilised as feedstock)

EXISTING EFFORTS

• Implementing closed-loop systems such as repurposing materials like empty chemical drums, steel cables and air-conditioning units thereby curbing waste generation.

SOLUTION SUCCESS PARAMETERS

• Should not cause adverse impacts on the current equipment maintenance regime
• Should retain useful properties such as breathability, comfort and absorbency (for alternative cotton products)

POTENTIAL SOLUTION SPACES

• Platform to facilitate matching and collaboration of stakeholders including suppliers, waste management companies and recycling facilities
• Alternative cotton products made from materials that are easier to clean and less prone to contamination
• Recycling technologies which can valorise contaminated cotton, and/or composite materials
• Platform that consolidates and channels feedstock to recyclers to ensure a consistent supply