Why is Singapore one of the cleanest cities of the world?
Open garbage, scattered litter and plastics, dumped domestic and food waste—these are snapshots common to many countries and cities of the world. However, Singapore isn’t one of them.
Several countries have managed to attain high disposal management strategies to keep their homeland clean. This is because appropriate waste management has the capacity to safeguard our environment from the hazardous effects of all the inorganic and biodegradable elements included in trash. Moreover, improper waste management can result in air pollution, soil erosion and water poisoning. One shining example of countries that have tamed waste successfully, is Singapore. In 2021, the island country was selected as the world’s cleanest and best city in the ‘Time Out Index’ survey by 62% of respondents. Here are three things that Singapore does to keep the city clean.
Singapore manages waste efficiently
In addition to its pristine surroundings, innumerable inventions and water efficiency, Singapore is well known for uniquely managing its trash. A large portion of Singapore’s waste is disposed through waste-to-energy programmes. What happens is that the waste is first collected from garbage bins and taken to the waste-to-energy facilities for incineration. About 90% of solid waste is reduced during incineration, and the heat energy is recovered to make electricity. The National Environment Agency claims that incineration cuts up waste by 90%, conserving landfill space while producing energy. Out of the staggering 7.23 million tonnes of solid waste produced in 2019, more than 40% was incinerated. Another advantage is that its incineration plants can generate electricity for thousands of houses using the heat from the waste that has been burned. After almost all the trash has been burned, a small amount of ash is left.
They get rid of ash and smoke
Burning trash is a quick way to get rid of it. However, this process also produces dangerous gases and residual ash. But Singapore has come up with unique ways to resolve these issues. The city filters out the gases emitted from these incineration plants, and renders the fumes quite pure. Then, the ash is transferred to a water body that does not meet seawater. Using this procedure, they have constructed an apparent ‘trash island’ out of repeated ash deposits. However, even this trash island is lovely and well-kept. And even trees and other vegetation can survive on it!
2000 US dollars fined on whoever throws garbage on the road
Singapore has several measures to keep the country clean, from slapping heavier fines on litterbugs to mobilising volunteers to prevent them. On 1st October 1968, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew launched the first ‘Keep Singapore Clean’ programme with fines for littering. According to the current law, the maximum penalty for first-time offenders is $2,000. Repeat offenders may be subject to a Corrective Work Order (CWO) for up to 12 hours and a fine of up to $4,000! Quite a hit to the pocket, right? The CWO makes litterbugs clean up a public area for a few hours, such as clearing up trash in a park. The local media may occasionally be asked to cover the public spectacle. They are required to wear colourful jackets. If they continue, they will need to pay $10,000 for their third and subsequent offenses. Spitting is also not allowed on public premises. Doing so for the first time may incur you a fine of up to $1,000. The maximum penalty for a second offense is $2,000, and the maximum fine for a third offense and any consecutive ones is $5,000!