Pulau Semakau Landfill

Here is where all Singapore's Rubbish gets dumped.

The average Singaporean throws away about 1.1 kg of solid waste a day, a figure that’s one of the highest in the world.  The four-fold increase in the amount of waste thrown by Singaporeans over the last 20 years is another factor which makes a new and larger landfill necessary.  The $1.3 billion Pulau Semakau dumping ground will cover an area of 350 hectares and have a capacity of 63 million cubic metres.  Rubbish (waste is taken by barge outto sea where it is dumped in an offshore landfill,) spread over 840 football fields, piled three storeys high.  That is the amount of ash and non-incinerable refuse it will take to fill up the new offshore landfill at Pulau (=island) Semakau south of Pulau Bukom.

Landfill formed by joining Pulau Semakau to Pulau Sakeng with rock bunds.   Pulau Sakeng used to be the site of a sea village (kampong laut) inclusive of several shops catering to islanders and visitors. The village was built largely on stilts over a reef flat. Most of the villagers were subsistence fishers, making a living off the nearby reefs.  Pulau Semakau was home to a slightly smaller community, and even boasted a football at one end of the village. One of the oldest residents continued to live on the island even after the settlers were relocated to the mainland. He eventually moved out as well, as the jetty fell into disrepair.

 

Updated On: 05.01.19