Waste Management Case Study: Singapore Flashcards
Where is Singapore?
Singapore is an island City State which lies on the tip of the Malaysian Peninsula, across Singapore straight from Indonesia
What is the area of Singapore Island?
719.9km2
What is Singapore’s population density?
7,797ppl/km2
How has the volume of waste generated changed in Singapore?
Increased from 1,260 tonnes/day in 1970 to 8,559 tonees/day in 2016.
Increase by 680%
How much of Singapore’s solid waste is recycled?
Over half
How has Singapore created an efficient waste collection scheme?
Writing up a set of criteria for waste collection companies to meet
Allowing external companies to bid for waste collection jobs in set regions of the city
Signing 7-8 years contracts with successful bidders
When did Singapore adopt waste-to-energy incineration?
The late 1970s
Why was waste-to-energy incineration adopted?
Generates more power for the city
Reduces the volume of landfill waste by 90%
Where is Semakau Island?
Around 20km off the South West coast of the City Centre
Why was Semakau Landfill Site created?
There was no more suitable land in mainland Singapore for landfill
How was the landfill site created?
The islands of Palau Sekang and Palau Semakau were joined by a 7km perimeter rock bund
Roughly what volume is enclosed by the landfill site?
63mn m3
How many WTE plants does Singapore have?
4
Why is it important that no ash leaks out of the bund?
As the local coral species are very vulnerable to pollution damage
How is it ensured that no leaks occur, and those that do are noticed quickly
The bund is lined with silt screens, impermeable membrane and marine clays.
The Environment Agency constantly monitors the
ocean chemical levels around the island
