&nbsp;As countries around Southeast Asia struggle to cope with growing piles of plastic and other waste on land and in their waters, Singapore is one country in the region that appears to have things figured out.

Singapore's streets are glistening clean, its parks and beaches mostly free from the trash that plagues neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. Almost all of Singapore's non-recyclable waste is incinerated, with the ash and some solid waste shipped to a man-made island nearby that doubles as a nature reserve.

But that solution looks as if it is running short on time.

The tip on Semakau island was supposed to meet Singapore's dumping needs until as late as 2045, according to environment ministry documents. But with the use of disposable products growing at a rapid rate, the ministry's most recent estimates show that Semakau could be full a decade earlier.

Plastics was the largest category of waste disposed of in Singapore last year - 763,400 tonnes - according to data from the National Environment Agency (NEA). Only 6 per cent of the 815,200 of plastic waste generated was recycled.

Analysis of the NEA data by Reuters shows that plastic waste per capita has increased nearly 20 per cent over the last 15 years.

A report by the local Straits Times newspaper in March said each person in Singapore threw away an average of 13 bags a day in 2016.

So far, the government has not adopted any bans or charges on plastic bags or single-use plastic items like straws and plates. It has also not disclosed any plans to replace the Semakau dump.

"More needs to be done to prolong the life of Semakau landfill beyond 2035," the NEA said in an email when asked about plans for the dump.

The agency said that recycling initiatives had helped stabilise the amount of trash sent for incineration, despite increases in waste generation caused by population and economic growth.

Southeast Asia is home to four of the world's top marine plastic polluters, a trend some think will be exacerbated by last year's waste import ban in China, which used to be the world's top destination for recyclable trash.

The recent death of a pilot whale in Thailand with 80 pieces of plastic rubbish in its stomach has also drawn global attention to the problem.

Singapore, which plays host to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year, is planning a special ministerial meeting on climate action in July.

But climate groups have urged the government of the wealthy city-state, which enjoys broad support from its electorate, to spend more political capital on tackling waste in a convenience culture where deliveries and take-out meals are common.

Singapore says it aims to become a "zero waste" nation, meaning it will eventually not send any waste to landfill. However, it has yet to set a date for achieving that goal.

The NEA said it was implementing initiatives aimed at increasing recycling rates and reducing waste at the source. These have included increasing the number of recycling bins and awareness campaigns.

It said Singapore was offering research grants for companies and organizations to develop sustainable waste management technologies and planned to make it mandatory for large generators of packaging waste to report the types and quantities they use and their reduction plans by 2021.

The local recycling industry has yet to feel the pinch of China's waste ban, the NEA said, adding that for now, it was still able to find overseas markets for recyclables.

Kim Stengert, chief communications officer for WWF Singapore, said the group would like to see Singapore adopt measures like mandatory charges for plastic bags or requiring firms to either pay for or participate in the collection and recycling of plastics.

Singapore's senior minister of state for the environment and water resources, Amy Khor, said in March that unlike other countries with mandatory plastic bag charges, Singapore incinerates plastic waste before putting it in landfills.

"We do not face the land and water pollution issues that plague those countries," she said. She added that plastic bags were "necessary for responsible and hygienic bagging of waste" in Singapore's hot and humid climate.

Neighbouring Malaysia has said it aims to introduce a nationwide ban on plastic bags within a year, while some local authorities in the Philippines already regulate their use.

"There is no rubbish piling up in the streets, so Singaporeans don't perceive a waste problem or feel personally responsible to reduce waste," said Sonny Ben Rosenthal, an academic who specialises in environmental issues at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University.

Plastic waste per capita has increased nearly 20 per cent over the last 15 years

As countries around Southeast Asia struggle to cope with growing piles of plastic and other waste on land and in their waters, Singapore is one country in the region that appears to have things figured out. Singapore's streets are glistening clean, its parks and beaches mostly free from the trash that plagues neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. Almost all of Singapore's non-recyclable waste is incinerated, with the ash and some solid waste shipped to a man-made island nearby that doubles as a nature reserve. But that solution looks as if it is running short on time. The tip on Semakau island was supposed to meet Singapore's dumping needs until as late as 2045, according to environment ministry documents. But with the use of disposable products growing at a rapid rate, the ministry's most recent estimates show that Semakau could be full a decade earlier. Plastics was the largest category of waste disposed of in Singapore last year - 763,400 tonnes - according to data from the National Environment Agency (NEA). Only 6 per cent of the 815,200 of plastic waste generated was recycled. Analysis of the NEA data by Reuters shows that plastic waste per capita has increased nearly 20 per cent over the last 15 years. A report by the local Straits Times newspaper in March said each person in Singapore threw away an average of 13 bags a day in 2016. So far, the government has not adopted any bans or charges on plastic bags or single-use plastic items like straws and plates. It has also not disclosed any plans to replace the Semakau dump. "More needs to be done to prolong the life of Semakau landfill beyond 2035," the NEA said in an email when asked about plans for the dump. The agency said that recycling initiatives had helped stabilise the amount of trash sent for incineration, despite increases in waste generation caused by population and economic growth. Southeast Asia is home to four of the world's top marine plastic polluters, a trend some think will be exacerbated by last year's waste import ban in China, which used to be the world's top destination for recyclable trash. The recent death of a pilot whale in Thailand with 80 pieces of plastic rubbish in its stomach has also drawn global attention to the problem. Singapore, which plays host to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year, is planning a special ministerial meeting on climate action in July. But climate groups have urged the government of the wealthy city-state, which enjoys broad support from its electorate, to spend more political capital on tackling waste in a convenience culture where deliveries and take-out meals are common. Singapore says it aims to become a "zero waste" nation, meaning it will eventually not send any waste to landfill. However, it has yet to set a date for achieving that goal. The NEA said it was implementing initiatives aimed at increasing recycling rates and reducing waste at the source. These have included increasing the number of recycling bins and awareness campaigns. It said Singapore was offering research grants for companies and organizations to develop sustainable waste management technologies and planned to make it mandatory for large generators of packaging waste to report the types and quantities they use and their reduction plans by 2021. The local recycling industry has yet to feel the pinch of China's waste ban, the NEA said, adding that for now, it was still able to find overseas markets for recyclables. Kim Stengert, chief communications officer for WWF Singapore, said the group would like to see Singapore adopt measures like mandatory charges for plastic bags or requiring firms to either pay for or participate in the collection and recycling of plastics. Singapore's senior minister of state for the environment and water resources, Amy Khor, said in March that unlike other countries with mandatory plastic bag charges, Singapore incinerates plastic waste before putting it in landfills. "We do not face the land and water pollution issues that plague those countries," she said. She added that plastic bags were "necessary for responsible and hygienic bagging of waste" in Singapore's hot and humid climate. Neighbouring Malaysia has said it aims to introduce a nationwide ban on plastic bags within a year, while some local authorities in the Philippines already regulate their use. "There is no rubbish piling up in the streets, so Singaporeans don't perceive a waste problem or feel personally responsible to reduce waste," said Sonny Ben Rosenthal, an academic who specialises in environmental issues at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University.

In Singapore, where trash becomes ash, plastics are still a problem

Thailand is a new dumping ground for scrap electronics from around the world, say police and environmentalists, the latest country to feel the impact of China's crackdown on imports of high-tech trash.

Police at Laem Chabang port, south of Bangkok, showed on Tuesday seven shipping containers each packed with about 22 tonnes of discarded electronics, including crushed game consoles, computer boards and bags of scrap materials.

Electronic refuse, or e-waste, is turning up from Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, police said, some of it imported by companies without the required permits.

"This ... shows that electronic waste from every corner of the world is flowing into Thailand," Deputy Police Chief Wirachai Songmetta said as he showed the containers to the media.

While "e-waste" - defined as any device with an electric cord or battery - can be "mined" for valuable metals such as gold, silver and copper, it can include hazardous material such as lead, mercury and cadmium.

Police said they filed charges against three recycling and waste processing companies in Thailand. Anyone found guilty could be jailed for up to 10 years.

"The companies that we have filed charges against don't have a quota to import even a single ton of electronic waste," Wirachai said.

China imposed a ban on overseas trash last year, telling the World Trade Organization (WTO) that it would stop accepting imports on 24 types of foreign waste, leading some to fear that the waste could end up in neighbouring countries.

The ban has upended the world's waste handling supply chain and caused massive pile-ups of trash from Asia to Europe, as exporters struggled to find new buyers for the garbage.

According to estimates in China's state media last year, more than 70 percent of the world's 500 million tonnes of electronic waste entered China in 2016.

Environmentalists say waste once destined for China is being re-routed to Southeast Asia, and new laws are needed or existing laws better enforced to prevent illegal imports.

"Especially after China's ban, Thailand could become one of the biggest dumping grounds for e-waste," said Penchom Saetang, director of Ecological Alert and Recovery Thailand (EARTH).

Thailand ratified in 1997 the Basel Convention, which aims to control trans-boundary movements of hazardous waste. But the convention does not completely prohibit these exports from more developed to less developed countries.

"The Basel Convention cannot prevent what is happening in Thailand because it has its limitations," Penchon said in calling for an amendment that would ban these shipments.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha vowed this week to step up nationwide inspections as part of a plan to combat illegal electronic waste. But environmentalists say they have not seen the details of how it will work.

"It isn't clear how he will do this," said Penchom.

Police at Laem Chabang port, south of Bangkok, showed on Tuesday seven shipping containers each packed with about 22 tonnes of discarded electronics, including crushed game consoles, computer boards and bags of scrap materials.

Thailand is a new dumping ground for scrap electronics from around the world, say police and environmentalists, the latest country to feel the impact of China's crackdown on imports of high-tech trash. Police at Laem Chabang port, south of Bangkok, showed on Tuesday seven shipping containers each packed with about 22 tonnes of discarded electronics, including crushed game consoles, computer boards and bags of scrap materials. Electronic refuse, or e-waste, is turning up from Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, police said, some of it imported by companies without the required permits. "This ... shows that electronic waste from every corner of the world is flowing into Thailand," Deputy Police Chief Wirachai Songmetta said as he showed the containers to the media. While "e-waste" - defined as any device with an electric cord or battery - can be "mined" for valuable metals such as gold, silver and copper, it can include hazardous material such as lead, mercury and cadmium. Police said they filed charges against three recycling and waste processing companies in Thailand. Anyone found guilty could be jailed for up to 10 years. "The companies that we have filed charges against don't have a quota to import even a single ton of electronic waste," Wirachai said. China imposed a ban on overseas trash last year, telling the World Trade Organization (WTO) that it would stop accepting imports on 24 types of foreign waste, leading some to fear that the waste could end up in neighbouring countries. The ban has upended the world's waste handling supply chain and caused massive pile-ups of trash from Asia to Europe, as exporters struggled to find new buyers for the garbage. According to estimates in China's state media last year, more than 70 percent of the world's 500 million tonnes of electronic waste entered China in 2016. Environmentalists say waste once destined for China is being re-routed to Southeast Asia, and new laws are needed or existing laws better enforced to prevent illegal imports. "Especially after China's ban, Thailand could become one of the biggest dumping grounds for e-waste," said Penchom Saetang, director of Ecological Alert and Recovery Thailand (EARTH). Thailand ratified in 1997 the Basel Convention, which aims to control trans-boundary movements of hazardous waste. But the convention does not completely prohibit these exports from more developed to less developed countries. "The Basel Convention cannot prevent what is happening in Thailand because it has its limitations," Penchon said in calling for an amendment that would ban these shipments. Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha vowed this week to step up nationwide inspections as part of a plan to combat illegal electronic waste. But environmentalists say they have not seen the details of how it will work. "It isn't clear how he will do this," said Penchom.

Thailand becomes dumping ground for e-waste

China will soon be home to the world&rsquo;s largest garbage disposal power plants, but this one is not just special for its size or recycling efficiency:&nbsp;this plant&nbsp;is&nbsp;also&nbsp;pleasing to the eye. The power plant in Shenzhen&nbsp;will be designed by two Danish firms, Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects and Gottlieb Paludan Architects, who plan to create an architectural wonder&nbsp;with 360 degree views of the surrounding mountain range.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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<div class="media-description">
The project is an indicator of the forward thinking developments made within the waste-to-energy sector in China (Others)
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The project includes a circular building with a&nbsp;66,000 square metre roof, of which&nbsp;two-thirds will be covered with photovoltaic panels to generate its own sustainable energy supply. The plant will be open to visitors, so people can enjoy the sight of&nbsp;the plant&#39;s&nbsp;inner workings&nbsp;and also the manicured lawns and scenic sights from the&nbsp;rooftop. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The proposed project is expected to incinerate 5,000 tonnes of rubbish per day, one third of the waste generated by the city. The architects&nbsp;aim to create&nbsp;a clean and simple mechanism for&nbsp;dealing with the world&#39;s ever-growing trash. Currently, the World Bank predicts that the global rubbish disposal will triple to 4 billion tons a year by 2100.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/154018831?color=ffffff" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe>

<a href="https://vimeo.com/154018831">Shenzhen East Waste-to-Energy Plant_SHL_GPA</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user35556057">SHL Architects</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.

The Shenzhen East waste-to-energy plant is scheduled to start operating by the year 2020. It is a response to the&nbsp;need for us to&nbsp;change our collective mindset and attitude towards ownership and accountability for&nbsp;the waste we produce.&nbsp;

(Contributed by: Zeba Khan)

The Shenzhen East in China will be world?s largest waste-to-energy power plant

China will soon be home to the world’s largest garbage disposal power plants, but this one is not just special for its size or recycling efficiency: this plant is also pleasing to the eye. The power plant in Shenzhen will be designed by two Danish firms, Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects and Gottlieb Paludan Architects, who plan to create an architectural wonder with 360 degree views of the surrounding mountain range. The project is an indicator of the forward thinking developments made within the waste-to-energy sector in China (Others) × The project includes a circular building with a 66,000 square metre roof, of which two-thirds will be covered with photovoltaic panels to generate its own sustainable energy supply. The plant will be open to visitors, so people can enjoy the sight of the plant's inner workings and also the manicured lawns and scenic sights from the rooftop. The proposed project is expected to incinerate 5,000 tonnes of rubbish per day, one third of the waste generated by the city. The architects aim to create a clean and simple mechanism for dealing with the world's ever-growing trash. Currently, the World Bank predicts that the global rubbish disposal will triple to 4 billion tons a year by 2100. Shenzhen East Waste-to-Energy Plant_SHL_GPA from SHL Architects on Vimeo. The Shenzhen East waste-to-energy plant is scheduled to start operating by the year 2020. It is a response to the need for us to change our collective mindset and attitude towards ownership and accountability for the waste we produce. (Contributed by: Zeba Khan)

China turns trash island into power plant park

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