Rubbish Paradise

Singapore - If you ask any Singaporean do you know where is Pulau Semakau, their response might be: - Ugh? or Se-bak-kau (in Hokkien it means "4-eyes monster") or a "blur" look in their eyes.


In fact, Pulau Semakau is a largely man-make island with mangrove swamps that host some of Singapore's most colourful marine species, double as a dumping ground for incinerated waste.





The fact certainly impressed American journalist Eric Bland on a recent trip, as he lauded the island as a potential useful conversation and waste management model for other cities. He said "The only visible trash is a bit of driftwood on the rocky shore, marking high tide in an artificial bay. Water rushes out of the bay through a small opening, making waves in the Singapore straits. The smell of rain is in the air....."


You would never know that all the trash from Singapore's 4.4 million residents is being dumped here 24 hours a day, seven days a week - and expected to last till 2040. This is no ordinary landfill: the island doubles as a biodiversity hotspot, of all things, attracting rare species of plants and animals. It even attracts ecotourists on specially arranged guided tours.


In 1999, when the last remaining landfill on Singapore’s mainland was exhausted, the Semakau Landfill was created by enclosing Pulau Semakau and a small adjacent island (Pulau Sakeng) with a rock bund. The bund enclosed 11 bays, or cells, into which the ash from incinerated waster is deposited each day. Water is pumped out of a cell before the waste, sealed in plastic to prevent leakage, is deposited. So far, four cells have been fully filled above sea-level, topped with dirt and planted with grass.


During the construction of the landfill, effort was made to protect the marine ecosystem, especially mangroves and corals. Mangrove swamps surrounding the original were replanted, and have thrived. Wildlife continues to thrive on Pulau Semakau, and the air and water quality remains good.


On 16 Jul 05, Pulau Semakau was opened for nature-related recreational activities. Members of the public can now visit the island for birdwatching, sports fishing and guided walks.


Did you know that Singapore generates 3 per cent of its electricity from burning rubbish, three times the power needed for all street lighting, an that the rubbish burns at such high temperatues that it doesn't need any extra fuel?



Reference:
wildsingapore.com
BT - 11 May, 2007