Skip to content
  • About
  • Partner with Us
  • Indonesia
  • Subscribe
  • Log In
Primary Menu
  • Home
  • Latest
  • Topics
  • News
  • Brief
  • Interview
  • Opinion
  • Figure
  • Infographic
  • Video
  • Community
  • Partner
  • Press Release
  • Youth
  • Global
  • Featured
  • Soft News

Semakau Island, the Green Landfill in Singapore

Unlike the typical dirty landfill, Semakau Island emerges as a lush green land where various species of birds and insects gather in a healthy ecosystem.
by Zia Ul Haq May 19, 2021
The green landscape of Semakau Island in Singapore

The green landscape of Semakau Landfill and the clean waters around it | Photo: NEA

Imagine a green, beautiful, clean, tidy landfill area that even becomes an ecotourism attraction. That is the scenery that we can find in the Semakau Landfill, Singapore. The landfill is filled with trees, various types of birds, and rich biodiversity. It is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs, which could be seen through the clear ocean water.

The Semakau Landfill is located approximately eight kilometers in the south of Singapore. This 350-hectare area is built off the coast that connects Semakau Island and Sengkang Island. Its structure was built to ensure that garbage waste does not seep into the high seas and can operate environmentally friendly and sustainably.

Semakau Island is the only landfill in Singapore. It contributes to making the country well known around the world as a clean city-state. This landfill is designed, constructed, and managed by the National Environment Agency of Singapore (NEA).

The collected waste goes through a series of processing before being sent to the landfill. The waste is first burned in the incineration plants, reducing its volume by approximately 90%. This combustion process is also used to drive turbines to produce electric energy.

The main principle of the whole process is turning waste into energy. The ashes from the combustion process are then transported to Semakau Landfill by barge ships, then unloaded by excavators at the designated points. The leftover ashes are leveled with bulldozers, then covered with soil.

Eventually, grass and plants grow on the surface of the landfill, transforming into a green expanse. The green lands naturally invite various types of rare species of birds and insects. Today, the Semakau Landfill has even become one of the best locations in Singapore for bird watching.

Semakau Landfill was built in 1999, can hold up to 63 million cubic meters of waste, and is expected to be filled up by 2035. The NEA anticipates this condition by leading research and development to extend the capacity of the Semakau Landfill. This effort will also help avoid the potential costs of building another offshore landfill in the near future.

Semakau landfill is open to visitors. It is also open for observation to learn about waste management at the Semakau Landfill, as announced on NEA’s official website.

Singapore’s integrated waste management system focuses on 3Rs; use as needed (reduce), use for the same or new purpose (reuse), and convert waste into useful products (recycle), towards the vision of a Zero Waste Nation.

Editor: Marlis Afridah
Translator: Agung Taufiqurrakhman

Source: NEA

To learn the original version of this article in Indonesian, read Green Network ID. 


Subscribe to Green Network Asia
Strengthen your personal and professional development with cross-sectoral insights on sustainability-related issues and sustainable development across the Asia Pacific and beyond.
Select Your Subscription Plan
Zia Ul Haq
Reporter at Green Network Asia | Website |  + postsBio

Zia is a Contributing Author at Green Network Asia. He graduated from UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta with a bachelor's degree in Islamic Education. He is a Learning Companion at Qaryah Thayyibah Learning Community (KBQT).

  • Zia Ul Haq
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/ziatuwel/
    Green Action of Planting Trees by Sakola Wanno, Layanibumi, and Green Network Asia
  • Zia Ul Haq
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/ziatuwel/
    ‘You Are What You Eat’, FOLO Farm Takes Healthy Food Seriously
  • Zia Ul Haq
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/ziatuwel/
    Sakola Wanno in Conserving the Nature and Culture of Sumba Island
  • Zia Ul Haq
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/ziatuwel/
    Maggha Karaneya Spreads Love for Abandoned Infants

Continue Reading

Next: Enthusiasts Reclaim Spices’ Cultural Heritage, Launch Spice Hub Indonesia

Related Stories

Close-up of seedlings growing in pots How India’s National Agroforestry Policy Helps Tackle Land Degradation and More
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

How India’s National Agroforestry Policy Helps Tackle Land Degradation and More

by Attiatul Noor June 20, 2025
The rapid development in AI technologies must be supported with AI regulation to ensure responsible usage. Establishing AI Regulation to Support Responsible Tech Usage
  • Featured
  • Soft News

Establishing AI Regulation to Support Responsible Tech Usage

by Ayu Nabilah June 19, 2025
a wilted sunflower Comprehensive and Participatory Drought Monitoring for Improved Disaster Mitigation
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

Comprehensive and Participatory Drought Monitoring for Improved Disaster Mitigation

by Kresentia Madina June 18, 2025
multiple megaphones attached on a pillar The Role of Risk Communication for Better Disaster Preparedness
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

The Role of Risk Communication for Better Disaster Preparedness

by Kresentia Madina June 17, 2025
two hands joining puzzle pieces Indonesia-UN Collaboration to Support Job Creation and Social Protection
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

Indonesia-UN Collaboration to Support Job Creation and Social Protection

by Abul Muamar June 16, 2025
a photo of Umea town landscape. How the City of Umeå Addresses Gender Inequality in Urban Areas
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

How the City of Umeå Addresses Gender Inequality in Urban Areas

by Ayu Nabilah and Kresentia Madina June 13, 2025

About Us

  • GNA Founder’s Letter
  • GNA In-House Team
  • GNA Author Network
  • GNA Press Release Guidelines
  • GNA Op-ed Article Guidelines
  • GNA Community Content Guidelines
  • GNA Internship
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
© 2021-2025 Green Network Asia