Pulau Semakau is Singapore's first and only landfill situated offshore. To create the site, a 7 km perimeter rock dam was built to enclose part of the sea between Pulau Semakau and Pulau Sakeng.
Semakau Landfill is filled mainly with ashes produced by Singapore's four incineration plants. Upon efficient burning of the waste, ashes are shipped in covered barges to the island every night. Surprisingly, the landfill is neither dirty or smelly and, once sections are full, they are covered with a layer of soil on top of which plants are grown. To protect the surrounding sea, the landfill is lined with an impermeable membrane and any leachate produced is processed at a leachate treatment plant. Regular water testing is carried out to ensure the integrity of the impermeable liners. A show of trust of the quality of the protective work, is the location of a fish farm just off the island. Barramundis grown at the farm are sold at the fish markets in Singapore.
Featured on the image above is a rare great-billed heron, resident of the Southern islands of Singapore and photographed at Pulau Semakau.
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