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Wed 09 Mar 2005

Semakau landfill lifespan extended 10 years from recycling

Category : envt

"From dump to play haven." By Sheralyn Tay, Today, 09 Mar 2005 [pdf].

The Pulau Semakau landfill is Singapore's last operational landfill, to which about 2,000 tonnes of non-incinerable materials make their way daily from four incineration plants. The lifespan of this landfill has been extended by 10 years - thanks to increased rates of recycling among Singaporeans, up from 40 per cent in 2000 to 48 per cent.

The first State of the Environment report showed that the amount of waste churned out last year - 2.26 million tonnes - was down from 2.31 million tonnes the year before. The goal now, said Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, is to increase recycling, with 80 per cent of schools to implement programmes by the year's end and schemes aimed at private condominiums and apartments.

He also announced that the Pulau Semakau landfill could serve as a recreational haven for nature lovers, bird watchers and sport fishermen. Mr Yatiman Yusof, the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Information, Communications and the Arts and MP for Tampines GRC, suggested that the island be developed as a "sea-sport centre for those who love to go yachting, boating, sea kayaking, wind surfing and even sports fishing".

See also "Fancy a nature trek on Pulau Landfill?" By Alexis Hooi, The Straits Times, 09 Mar 2005 [pdf]

Posted at 11:43AM UTC by N. Sivasothi | permalink | email |