In April 2001, the NEA launched the National Recycling Programme (NRP) to provide a convenient means for residents living in public and private housing estates to recycle.

Under the NRP, recycling bags or bins are distributed to each household for residents to store their recyclables. The recyclables are collected once every two weeks by the appointed recycling companies. To further enhance the NRP, all housing estates have central depositories at convenient locations.

Recognising that it was important to inculcate the habit of recycling from young, a waste recycling programme for schools was launched by NEA in collaboration with recycling companies and the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) on 12 September 2002.

Under this programme, schools set up Recycling Corners for paper, cans, and plastic. Educational materials placed at the Recycling Corners raised awareness on waste minimisation and recycling among students. Talks, activities, and surveys organised by NEA and SEC helped sustain the recycling programme.

Through national campaigns such as Recycling Day, and Clean and Green Singapore, general awareness about recycling is maintained.

NEA also works closely with industry associations such as Waste Management and Recycling Association of Singapore (WMRAS) and the Singapore Manufacturers Federation to minimize waste at source and encourage more recycling. In 2007, the National Environment Agency signed the Singapore Packaging Agreement with the food and beverage industry to reduce packaging waste by redesign of packaging and recycle more.