Solid Waste Management Infrastructure
Since independence, Singapore's growing population and booming economy have contributed to a tremendous increase in the amount of solid waste disposed. From 1,260 tonnes a day in 1970, the nation's total amount of solid waste had risen to a peak of 8,016 tonnes a day in 2012.
Solid waste management in Singapore begins at homes and businesses. Prior to the collection of solid waste, recyclables are sorted out and retrieved for processing to prolong their lifespans. The solid waste that remains are then collected and sent to the various waste-to-energy plants for incineration. Incineration reduces the volume of solid waste by about 90% and produces steam that runs turbine-generators to generate electricity.
The incinerated ash and other non-incinerable wastes are then transported to the Tuas Marine Transfer Station (TMTS) for the barging operation to Semakau Landfill where they are disposed of at the tipping sites.
Waste-To-Energy Plants
Currently, Singapore's solid waste disposal infrastructure consists of four waste-to-energy (WTE) plants, viz: Tuas, Senoko, Tuas South and Keppel Seghers Tuas Waste-To-Energy Plant (KSTP), as well as the Semakau Landfill. KSTP was developed under a Design, Build, Own and Operate (DBOO) model and was commissioned in 2009 to replace Singapore's first WTE plant at Ulu Pandan, which was closed in August 2009 after 30 years of successful operation. The Senoko Incineration Plant was also divested in September 2009 to the private sector and is now renamed Senoko Waste-To-Energy Plant (SWTE).
Solid waste is incinerated into ash as doing so reduces its volume by about 90%. Over the long-term, this has helped land-scarce Singapore to reduce her need for future landfills.
For a comprehensive view of the incineration process, please click here.
Tuas Marine Transfer Station