Life cycle assessment of waste-to-energy (WtE) conversion in Senoko waste-to-energy incineration (SWTE) plant

Abstract

Singapore is challenged with managing its waste disposal facilities effectively. With a total population of 5.469 million spread over a limited area of 718.3km2, Singapore is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The annual generation of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) from households and industries has doubled every decade to the current level of 17.581 million tonnes/year. The nation’s key policy for waste management gives top priority to the recycling, recovery and reuse of waste materials followed by the incineration of MSW that is not recovered, reused or recycled. However, incinerators have not been viewed favorably in many countries due to their limited efficiencies of generating heat or electricity from wastes, large generation of air emissions, and the levels of ash produced. The last option in MSW management hierarchy is landfillng. Presently, Semakau Landfill is Singapore’s only landfill for waste disposal. It covers a total area of 350 ha and has a landfill capacity of 63 million m3. Semakau landfill is situated 25 km offshore from the south of mainland Singapore. Commissioned in the year 1999, the landfill’s lifespan is expected to last until the year 2030. During the construction of Singapore’s offshore landfill, effort was made to protect the marine ecosystem to and make it habitable for corals and wildlife.