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S
ustainability
P
olicies
, P
rogrammes
and
their
E
conomic
I
mpact
Waste management
• Singapore has developed an effective, integrated waste manage-
ment system. Refuse is collected daily and waste that is not
recycled is incinerated in efficient waste-to-energy plants which
meet stringent emission standards. This allows us to save on
landfill use while generating 2-3 per cent of Singapore’s elec-
tricity needs. Our only landfill, the Semakau landfill, is located
offshore. It is expected to last around 40 years and will become
part of our future land stock when completely filled. Our efforts
to conserve biodiversity during the construction of the Semakau
landfill have allowed a rich variety of flora and fauna to thrive
on the island. Semakau landfill was lauded in New Scientist
magazine in 2007 as the ‘Garbage of Eden’ – showcasing an
environmentally friendly system of waste management.
• To reduce the need for incineration and landfills, we promote
recycling and reduction of waste. Under the National Recycling
Programme, we provide centralized recycling bins for public and
private housing estates. The National Environment Agency also
launched a voluntary Singapore Packaging Agreement to reduce
packaging waste. Over the last decade, Singapore’s domestic
waste disposal per capita has been falling despite continued
growth, achieving a recycling rate of 59 per cent in 2011
compared to 41 per cent in 2000.
Energy policy
• Singapore does not subsidize energy so as not to encourage over-
consumption. Instead, the electricity industry was restricted to
introduce greater market competition, which encourages innova-
tive solutions and technologies to generate power more efficiently.
As a result, electricity is largely produced from natural gas-fired
combined cycle power plants, which are more efficient and cost-
effective than oil-fired steam plants. Between 2000 and
2007, electricity produced by natural gas increased
from 19 per cent to 79 per cent of total electricity
production, and overall generation efficiency rose from
37 per cent to 44 per cent.
• The Singapore Government also launched the
national energy efficiency plan, E2Singapore, to
encourage more efficient energy use in industries,
buildings, transport and households. The plan
includes initiatives to raise public awareness of
energy efficiency and promote energy-saving tech-
nologies and systems, and sets minimum standards
for household appliances which consume large
amounts of energy. Singapore’s energy intensity
(energy consumption per dollar of gross domestic
product in 2005) improved by 33 per cent between
1990 and 2010.
Transport management
• Singapore plans for sufficient transport capacity as it
develops. Commercial activities are located closer to
homes, while self-contained residential communities
reduce the need to travel. We have invested in a
comprehensive and robust public transport system
and in 1998, we introduced Electronic Road Pricing,
where motorists pay a toll for entering congestion-
prone areas. The Vehicle Quota System, introduced
in 1990, also helps to regulate increases in the
number of vehicles. As a result, although Singapore
is the world’s second most densely populated
country, its transport system is consistently ranked
The Stockholm Industry Water Prize went to Singapore in 2007 for the country’s integrated approach to water management
Image: MEWR Singapore