Effectiveness of Singapore’s management on Land Pollution

Effectiveness of Singapore’s management on Land Pollution

Land pollution is caused by the improper waste treatment and that could lead to damaging the Earth and Human Health. Here’s the methods Singapore is using in response to the problems pertaining to Land Pollution.

1.     Solid waste disposal infrastructure

In the past, Singapore relied on a number of landfills around the island to handle the solid waste generated on the island. However, in the late 1970s, an alternative method of solid waste disposal has to be introduced due to land constraints. Waste-to-energy incineration was found to be the most cost effective option as it can reduce waste volume by over 90%, and in 1978, the first waste-to-energy (WTE) plant was opened. Most WtE processes produce electricity with incineration plants directly through combustion,  Today, the solid waste disposal infrastructure consists of the four WTE plants located at Tuas, Senoko, Tuas South and an offshore sanitary landfill, Semakau Landfill.

This method, though produce different forms of energy, can pose a threat to the environment since emissions include toxic ashes, other harmful gases and pollutants can enter the atmosphere, turning rain acidic. Besides, natural resources like fuel and oil are used to burn the waste and produce the energy. However, over the years newer and more environmental-friendly incinerators are built and they are more efficient in disposing waste with less damage brought upon Earth. Despite the infrastructures being expensive and hard to built and labour have to be skilled to work with these high-tech machines, they prove to be extremely useful and effective in the long-run.

2.     Public waste collection

Public waste collectors (PWCs) provide services to designated domestic and trade premises in the island’s nine geographical sectors. This service includes the collection of recyclable materials from households to the National Recycling Programme. There are currently four PWCs operating in Singapore, as indicated on the map below.

To have separate and collect recyclable materials from all the other thrash and have them sent to be recycled and reuse again is a good way to practise the 3Rs often preached. Having allocated PWCs to different parts of the city proves this system of waste collection to be extremely organised. But, it requires the cooperation of the community. The residents have to dump their rubbish at the right collection area for them to collect.

3.     General waste collection

General waste collectors (GWCs) in Singapore are licensed by NEA. GWCs primarily serve commercial and industrial premises.

There are three classes of GWCs: Class A, B and C. Each class of GWC is licensed to handle a certain type of waste, as follows:

· Class A: Inorganic waste (construction debris, excavated earth, tree trunks, discarded furniture, appliances, wooden crates, pallets and other bulky items) and recyclables from residential property and other premises covered in section 10(1)(c) of the Environmental Public Health Act

· Class B: Organic waste (food and other putrefiable waste from domestic, trade and industrial premises, markets and food centres)

· Class C: Sludge and grease (sludge from water treatment plants, grease interceptors, water-seal latrines, sewage treatment plants, septic tanks and waste from sanitary conveniences in ships and aircrafts)

By categorising them in different classes, this method can be very efficient in disposing the waste. (The waste in class A might possess very different qualities as the waste in class C and therefore, require very different ways of disposal). Hence, when they are allocated to different classes, different solutions will be used to overcome them, increasing the effectiveness of waste disposal. But, this method will require much labour to sift out different materials to different sections is carrying ways (e.g. handpicked or using machines like cranes) and the machines can be expensive.

.
 4.  Fines imposed on Illegal dumping

The illegal dumping of waste of any kind is a serious offence. It pollutes the environment and can be a hazard to public health.

People obviously would not want to handle all the additional taxes and bills, thus they will abide the rules and avoid having to pay fines. Using Money is a good way to “control” the people as the regulations are heavily enforced that way. But still, the cooperation of the community has to be sought for.

In my opinion, Singapore has quite a good system of managing the Land Pollution problems; they are proving to be effective through the results obtained over the past few years.

Sources:

http://app2.nea.gov.sg/topics_waterpollution.aspx