Welcome to Pulau Semakau, Singapore's only landfill, where the usual expectations of foul odors and flies are replaced by stunning views of blue waters, greenery, and wildlife. The eco-friendly trash island is the destination for ash produced from incinerated garbage generated by nearly six million people in the city.

The Singaporean government faces a challenge as the landfill is projected to be filled in just over a decade. Given the scarcity of land and competing needs for space, finding an alternative location is difficult. The goal is to extend the lifespan of the Semakau landfill beyond 2035.

Singapore produced 7.4 million tonnes of waste last year, of which only 57 percent was recycled. Plastics and food waste remain problematic areas for recycling, with only a small percentage being recycled. The government launched a "zero-waste" campaign in 2019 to increase the recycling rate to 70 percent and reduce trash dumped at Semakau by 30 percent by the end of the decade.

To manage its rapid growth and avoid issues faced by other developing Asian cities, Singapore built the offshore landfill after its inland waste depot ran out of space in the early 1990s. Semakau was created by merging two islands, and a perimeter bund was constructed to enclose part of the open sea and create space for the landfill.

While incinerators are used to burn non-recyclable waste, this practice has been criticized for its pollution. However, authorities state that their incineration plants have treatment systems to clean gas emissions before release. The landfill has been lined with an impermeable membrane and marine clay to contain potential pollution, and water is regularly tested for leakage.

There are plans to utilize the landfill for other purposes, such as building solar farms and using ash for road construction materials. As each pit is filled, the area is covered with soil, allowing for the growth of natural vegetation. Mangrove forests have also been planted on the island, attracting wildlife and making it an eco-friendly place.

Wildlife like brahminy kites, white-bellied sea eagles, red-wattled lapwings, and little terns were recently observed, adding to the island's natural beauty and serenity.

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