Letters to the editor, April 10, 2016
The paucity of discussion about waste in Hong Kong means that our city faces a refuse crisis that requires prompt and decisive action.
Successive governments’ waste management strategies have been a failure and our landfills will reach capacity in the near future.
We should look at what Singapore has achieved. It has done an excellent job dealing with its garbage problem, which poses no threat to marine ecosystems and uses some refuse for landfills.
The Semakau Landfill is Singapore’s first and only landfill situated offshore among the southern islands of Singapore.
It covers a total area of 3.5 square kilometres. It began operating in 1999 and is expected to remain in use until 2045, and this deadline may be extended if a variety of waste minimisation and resource conservation initiatives are implemented.
It is mainly filled with ash produced by Singapore’s four incineration plants. The refuse is transported in covered barges. This prevents the ash from being blown away in the wind.
Precautions were taken before the landfill was opened to ensure that the site is not foul-smelling and unhygienic and to protect nearby coral.
There is regular water testing to make sure that all the precautionary measures implemented are still effective.
I think Hong Kong can learn from Singapore’s successful strategy, with a balanced policy that prevents the landfills reaching capacity, protects marine life and guarantees further reclamation projects are possible.
Reclamation is important for Hong Kong, with its large population. With reclamation projects, more land can be made available on which to build homes.
Tina Yeung, Ngau Tau Kok