Calay News
In Singapore, the only landfill in the country is located on the island of Semakau, where the ashes of the incinerated garbage from the almost six million inhabitants of the city-state are disposed of. Although the dump is just over a decade away from being full, the government is working to extend its life and prevent it from reaching full capacity in 2035. The scarcity of available land in Singapore makes it difficult to find another location for a new landfill.
In 2019, Singapore generated 7.4 million tons of waste, of which only 57% was recycled. Plastics and food waste remain major problems, with only 6% of plastics and 18% of food waste being recycled that year. Greenpeace criticizes the massive production of waste relative to the size of Singapore and its goal to increase the amount of waste recycled to 70% and reduce the amount of rubbish dumped in Semakau by 30% before the end of the decade.
The Semakau landfill, built offshore, began operations in 1999 after the onshore landfill ran out of space in the early 1990s. The ashes from non-recyclable waste, previously incinerated, are transported by barge and deposited in the landfill. Over time, the landfill pits are covered with soil, allowing the growth of natural vegetation and the creation of an attractive habitat for wildlife.
Although the practice of incinerating garbage has been criticized by environmental groups due to its polluting impact, the National Environment Agency ensures that incineration plants are equipped with gas treatment systems to reduce pollution. In addition, the Semakau landfill has been covered with a waterproof membrane and marine clay to prevent leakage, and constant monitoring is carried out to prevent any type of contamination. The Singapore government is seeking sustainable solutions for waste management and reducing the environmental impact of this practice.
