HDB to pilot new refuse chute hoppers in 28 projects to block bulky waste disposal

The Housing Board (HDB) is rolling out new refuse chute hoppers across 28 projects comprising 239 blocks in towns including Tampines, Bidadari, and Punggol to prevent bulky items from being disposed through the pneumatic waste conveyance system (PWCS) ^{[1, 2, 3, 4]}.

The new hoppers are designed with smaller openings and a back mechanism to block disposal of large items such as cardboard boxes, curtain rods, mop handles, buckets, and renovation debris, which have caused blockages in the PWCS ^{[1, 2, 3, 4]}. The PWCS works by transporting household waste via underground pipes using vacuum-like suction to a centralised bin centre, where garbage trucks then collect the waste for incineration ^{[1, 2, 3, 4]}.

Hopper openings must accommodate bagged waste with a minimum diameter of 30 cm while limiting the size to no more than 80% of the conveyance pipe’s diameter. This allows regular bagged waste disposal but prevents oversized waste from entering the system ^{[1, 2, 3, 4]}. The hoppers will also be airtight and feature both self-closing and soft-closing capabilities to contain odors and noise ^{[1, 2, 3, 4]}.

HDB will pilot the volume-controlled refuse chute hoppers in three older Build-To-Order (BTO) projects built before the new hoppers became standard in 2020. If the pilot performs well and residents respond positively, HDB plans to retrofit the hoppers across the remaining 25 projects ^{[1, 2, 3, 4]}.

Residents have expressed the need for designated bulky item disposal areas, and during the installation period, contractors must provide temporary bins, educational posters, and customer relations officers to support residents with the new system ^{[1, 2, 3, 4]}.

Incidents of chokes caused by bulky waste in the PWCS were reported in 2025, prompting HDB to call a tender on April 27, 2026, for the supply and installation of the new hoppers ^{[1, 2, 3, 4]}. The system’s pilot and rollout aim to address these issues while maintaining efficient waste disposal. Installation and pilot results will be closely monitored to determine further retrofitting plans.