The Singapore Packaging Agreement is an attempt to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and a measure to prevent legislation being imposed upon businesses.

Over the next five years, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said the agreement will focus on encouraging industry to redesign packaging to reduce waste and use materials that can be recycled.

Of the 31 pact signatories there are five industry associations representing about 500 companies, two non-governmental organizations, four public waste collectors and another 19 companies.

Voluntary recycling targets of materials including as glass, paper and plastic are to be set and a code of practice that guides packaging decisions, among other commitments.

Lee Yuen Hee, chief executive officer of NEA, said it was important to tackle waste at source.

"Through this agreement, we hope to further strengthen the government-industry-community partnership to reduce the amount of waste disposed of in Singapore, as we strive towards zero landfill," he said.

Some large food and beverage manufacturers, including Coco-Cola and Nestle, have agreed to play their part in reducing waste.

"We are encouraged by the fact that some of the big names in the F&B industry have signed up for the Agreement," said Lee. "By doing so, they are making a public statement of their commitment to reduce waste."

Lee urged more organisations to join the Agreement to help drive down the 1200 tonnes of packaging waste processed by Singapore's collectors each day.

"I would like to encourage more brand owners, manufacturers of packaging and packaged goods, and distributors and importers of packaged goods to sign the Packaging Agreement and work with NEA to reduce waste," he said.