In order to build up Singapore’s waste management capabilities amongst public agencies and industry practitioners, Singapore Environment Institute (SEI) co-organised a seminar on waste management technologies with the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) of Japan. NIES is a leading research institution supporting the work of the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ). The learning programme was held from 6 to 10 October 2014 in Tokyo. Led by Director of SEI Mr Ong Eng Kian, the Singapore delegation comprised NEA officers, representatives from public agencies and academic institutions, as well as officers and members of WMRAS (Waste Management and Recycling Association of Singapore).

Japan possesses advanced capabilities in the field of solid waste management. Despite being highly industrialised, the country has achieved remarkable environmental success. According to Asia’s Green Cities Index compiled by Siemens in 2011, Japanese cities such as Tokyo, Osaka and Yokohama were consistently ranked amongst the top green cities in Asia. They could serve as useful benchmarking references for Singapore in reviewing our waste management strategies.

The programme kicked off with several MOEJ lectures introducing various waste management technologies and measures to promote sustainable waste management and the 3Rs. This was followed by policy discussions to influence behavioural change and ease technology deployment in the waste management sector. There were also presentations by various solution providers.

In his welcome remarks, MOEJ Director of Policy Planning in Waste Management and Recycling Mr Yoshihiro Yamamoto spoke of the important role in public agencies to safeguard the environment through establishing a proper system of waste management. He added that MOEJ was happy to share its environmental experience with Singapore. In response, Director of SEI Mr Ong thanked MOEJ for its support. He pointed out Singapore’s land limitations in housing waste management facilities, while maintaining a high standard of public health as our key priority. Hence there was a pressing need for Singapore to develop a highly efficient municipal cleaning and waste management system. There was much to learn from Japan’s excellent track record in waste management.

In the ensuing roundtable discussion, Mr Ong surmised that many countries are looking beyond just procuring specific waste management technologies. Japan has to become more of a solutions integrator by taking into account of lifestyle aspirations of the population.

NIES hosted various technical sessions and site visits that focused on advanced waste management incineration technology and the management of recycled incineration ash for road works. Vice-President of NIES Mr Hiroyasu Tokuda presented NIES’ role in supporting environmental policy making through its scientific research. NIES’ Director of Centre for Material Cycle and Waste Management Research Dr Masahiro Osako said that collaboration between SEI and NIES would enable both parties to grow our knowledge and foster best practices in sustainable waste management within our respective communities and stakeholders. Building upon Dr Osako’s ideas, Mr Ong highlighted the urgency of having institutions and industries come together to develop cost-effective solutions and viable partnership models. This will accelerate the deployment of waste management solutions to markets in need of them. In the long run, it would make an impact in addressing the growing waste issue. The knowledge exchange was interesting and practical as NIES’ senior researchers discussed the opportunities and addressed the challenges of using recycled materials in actual work scenarios.

The Singapore delegation also visited state-of-the-art waste-to-energy incineration plants, incinerated ash reclamation facilities, integrated material recycling facilities, a food waste treatment plant as well as a zero-waste construction site operated by Obayashi Corporation. Many of the site showcases were eye-opening as they challenged conventional ideas of waste management. Besides the use of advanced technologies and systems, we observed that Japan’s plant operations were systematic and well-organised; the house-keeping of their industrial premises was impeccable; and their high standards of compliance even exceeded the stringent environmental requirements of their waste management facilities.

At a municipal waste incineration plant operated by the Kashiwa City government, we were impressed by their efforts in integrating the community residing around their incineration plant. They did this by building communal facilities such as parks and a swimming pool for nearby residents’ enjoyment. Over in the industrial heartlands of Saitama prefecture, we were amazed to learn that a lush recreational park located next to a reservoir was in fact a former landfill site. The successful co-existence of a former landfill with a reservoir clearly demonstrated the Japanese’s expertise in land remediation and environmental impact management.

Overall, the study programme was well-received with several participants even enquiring about the next trip. They not only acquired new knowledge on a wide range of promising waste management technologies, but gained a better appreciation of viable business models in operating municipal waste management and recycling facilities. Everybody found the trip interesting, rewarding and well-organised. They were unanimous in agreeing that they could apply new ideas learnt to improve their own environmental planning and project work.

SEI would continue to develop meaningful platforms for the exchange of environmental expertise between Singapore and overseas institutions. We are working to deepen our local capabilities in sustainable waste management, to help Singapore develop a world-class waste management infrastructure. Indeed, an effective municipal waste management regime is a necessity before cities can succeed economically and achieve an environmentally-sustainable future.