1.1. Background Information
Singapore is a densely populated country, with the population living in high-density developments including residential, commercial and industrial, it has resulted in an increase in paved areas and the suppression of green spaces. With the rising need for better infrastructure development, this means that there will be a linear relationship between the economy and the environmental crisis. With the increasing number of cars in Singapore, it has boosted the tires production, and this led to immense stockpiles of waste rubber tires generated every year. As reported in 2017, Singapore had produced a massive amount of waste rubber tires, which amassed to 35,900 tonnes (NEA, 2017). Even though Singapore had come up with innovative efforts such as converting huge rolls of rubber tires into tiny chunks for multiple purposes and involving in international trades to minimise the number of scrap tires, only 92% of it is recycled. Hence, the remaining 8% approximately 2900 tonnes are discarded by undesirable methods.
- Figure 1 Statistics on waste rubber tire generated VS waste rubber tire recycled.
Presently, waste rubber tires in Singapore are being discarded mainly through exportation to neighboring countries, and the remaining are being dumped in Semakau Island which are low in economic value. These methods of disposal help Singapore in clearing used tires but are not feasible as a long-term solution as it creates additional environmental problems and solid waste pollution. Through exportation, neighboring countries processed the tires through incineration which would help attain fuel but emanate toxic gases into the surrounding and consequently lead to health endangerment. Through disposal onto landfill, it was estimated that Semakau Island would be filled up by the year 2035 if Singapore does not change its current waste disposal management. Therefore, it creates an urgency to increase the recycling rate for rubber tires to 100% to reduce carbon footprint and save landfill spaces.
In summary, there is a need for Singapore to take environmental measures to ensure 100% continuous recycling rate for waste rubber tires.
1.2. Problem Statement
An ideal green city should have a fully integrated recycling project which encompasses every sector that can contribute to sustainability. However, Singapore is not fully recycling waste rubber tires. There is still 8% of waste rubber tyres that are dumped into landfills which creates additional environmental problems and solid waste pollution.
1.3. Purpose Statement
The purpose of our proposed submission is to notify LTA about the alarming situation in Pulau Semakau and to made know that there is an urgent need to achieve 100% recycle rate of waste rubber tires via an environmentally friendly manner Green Asphalt.
The art of Effective Communication 