4 - Integrated Solid Waste Management

Summary

As urbanisation and economic development increases in Asia, nowhere is the impact more obvious than in society's “detritus,” or solid waste. Today, the urban areas of Asia produce about 760,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste per day, or approximately 2.7 million m³ per day. In 2025, this figure will increase to 1.8 million tonnes of waste per day, or 5.2 million m³ per day. Local governments in Asia currently spend about US$25 billion per year on urban solid waste management. In 2025, this amount will be doubled.

What a Waste: Solid Waste Management in Asia, World Bank, 1999

Every community produces solid waste. Rapid urbanization and population growth in many cities will lead to an ever increasing amount of solid waste being generated. If there were no systematic means of waste collection and disposal, piles of rubbish would accumulate, with their associated stench, and create potential breeding grounds for pests and vectors. This will add stress to existing waste management infrastructure and pose potential threats to public health.

The effective management of solid waste is thus a priority that every city needs to address as it is an integral aspect of people's daily lives, and affects their quality of life. However, as many developing cities have found, putting in place an effective waste management system is not a straightforward matter.

It was no different in Singapore. Managing solid waste was one of the key environmental challenges that had to be tackled in the early days of Singapore's development and industrialization. The government had to cope with an increasing amount of waste by continually improving the system and learning from best practices in other cities. This has resulted in a solid waste management system that best suits local circumstances and caters to Singapore's needs.

LOCAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Singapore is today one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with a population density of 6,520 population per sq. kilometre. In line with population and economic growth, the volume of waste disposed has increased sixfold over the past thirty years.

With the population and industries housed within a small land area of only 700 sq. kilometre, every bit of land is a valuable resource.