Summary
Highlights
Singapore's only landfill is projected to be full by 2035. The video introduces the waste hierarchy, which aims to bend the linear process of waste disposal into a circular one. Singapore produces over 18,000 tons of waste daily, emphasizing the critical need for effective management.
The first step in the waste hierarchy is reducing and reusing. While crucial, Singapore's consumption continues to rise, making waste reduction difficult. Recycling also faces challenges, with only 12% of household waste being effectively recycled due to issues like contamination and public understanding of what can be recycled.
Waste that cannot be prevented or recycled goes to the Keppel Seghers waste-to-energy plant. Here, waste is burned at over 800°C, significantly reducing its volume by more than 90%. The superheated gases and steam generated from incineration spin turbines to produce electricity, powering over 30,000 HDB flats.
Incineration diverts waste from landfills, thereby avoiding methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. This process also reduces reliance on fossil fuels for energy. Despite these efforts, the Semakau landfill is still projected to be full by 2035, underscoring the need for further innovation. Temasek is supporting technologies to close the loop, aiming for a more sustainable waste management system where waste becomes a resource.