Landfills and Recycling

As we all know not all refuse can be incinerated. Non- incinerable refuse includes construction waste such as pipes, concrete and cement. Such waste cannot be dumped directly into the landfills. The landfill is also necessary for us to dispose incineration ash.

Dumping of refuse at the landfills can generate problems of flies and smell. To contain these problems, a layer of earth is put over the landfill at the end of each day. The bottom of the landfill is also lined with a layer of membrane to prevent leakage of leachate into the ground.

Since 1999, an offshore landfill, at Pulau Semakau, has been in use, when the last landfill on mainland, at Lorong Halus, was depleted. Previous landfills at Tempines, Choa Chu Kang and Lim Chu Kang had also been rapidly used up due to increasingly large amount of refuse generated.

Due to a shortage of land, there is an urgent need to slow down the pace at which the landfills are being used up.

The concept of landfills in Singapore has not really taken off. This is because land is a very scarce commodity in this country and there are a lot of other competing needs.

The only landfill we have in Lorong Halus was scheduled to be completely used up and closed on the 31^st of March 1999. The government has since set up another landfill offshore. Known as the Semakau landfill, this project is unique in that it is not only the first offshore landfill for Singapore but it is ecologically balanced as well.

There was an Article on the 8th April 1999 on this matter.

Article: Straits Times

Thursday, April 8, 1999

Sending Rubbish Overseas

Semakau Landfill

REPORTED BY: DOMINIC NATHAN

Rubbish is being dumped at a new offshore landfill and efforts are taken to ensure that water is not polluted

A RUBBISH heap builds slowly on one side is a mangrove swamp.

The mangrove are a living litmus test of the measures to ensure that the water around the new offshore landfill is not polluted, Environment and Health Minister Yeo Cheow Tong said on Tuesday after visiting the new $840-million offshore landfill.

"Although we have developed this huge landfill size, the water quality has been protected and mangroves are able to thrive."

Efforts to protect the water started during the landfill’s construction. Underwater silt screens were used to keep the sand from drifting to coral reefs.

To keep the water clean while the landfill is in operation, the 7-km-long outer bund, which contains the landfill, is made up of layers of marine clay, rock and sand, separated by a special nylon material. This prevents the waste or contaminated water from seeping out.

The water displaced by the rubbish is treated to extract heavy metals and other contaminants before being pumped out to sea.

Mr. Yeo said of the mangroves: "This will be a test that what we’re doing here is working."

All pictures from The Straits Times

Recycling

Recycling of domestic waste in Singapore is highly supported by the government. Bins have been place at various places to separate rubbish into different categories.Different bins for metal cans, old newspaper, glass bottles and plastic bottles. There is only one recycling center in Singapore, so all the rubbish to be recycled have to be transported there.

Conclusion

Ecological and environmental needs will always pose a challenge to Singapore and the management of land pollution. This is critical to our country as we are a vulnerable small island state.

— Introduction

— Incineration Process

— Land Pollution

— Ulu Pandan Incineration Design Data

— Maths Component

__ Maps - Where are they located

__ Conclusion

__ Glossary

— Acknowledgement

— Bibliography

— Conclusion