Printer: Koon Wah Lithographers

In the past, households and shopkeepers in Singapore used "paper boxes, open pails, lidless oil drums and tar barrels" to hold their refuse. These caused much inconvenience and even injuries for garbage collectors, also known as "dustmen", who had to empty them.

Around 1974, the Ministry of the Environment set out to pick a "model" refuse bin for all households to use. Plastic was favoured over metal as the latter was heavy and a precious commodity. In 1976, standards for plastic refuse bins were established by the Singapore Institute of Standards and Industrial Research. The ministry followed up with a drive to encourage its take-up with this pamphlet.

Collection of Lee Kong Chian Reference Library