New TREASURES Centre to drive resource recovery, circular economy innovation and landfill transformation.
SINGAPORE — Singapore has launched its first national research centre dedicated to toxic industrial waste and residue management, marking a significant step in the city-state’s efforts to strengthen resource recovery and extend the lifespan of its only landfill as recycling rates continue to fall below national targets.
The new centre, known as Towards Resource Efficiency and Sustainability for Urban Environments (TREASURES), was officially announced on June 16, 2026, by Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Janil Puthucheary during Catalyst 2026, an environmental services industry event organised by the National Environment Agency (NEA).
Jointly established by the NEA and Nanyang Technological University (NTU), the centre will receive S$35 million (US$27.4 million) in funding under Singapore’s Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 programme.
The launch comes as Singapore reviews its Zero Waste Masterplan 2030 amid growing concerns over declining recycling performance and the long-term future of Pulau Semakau, the country’s only landfill.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
National Research Effort Targets Toxic Waste and Resource Recovery
TREASURES will serve as Singapore’s first dedicated national research centre focused on residue and toxic industrial waste management.
NTU will host the centre through March 2030, while the National University of Singapore (NUS) and other higher education institutions will participate as research partners.
The centre has been tasked with addressing some of the most complex challenges facing Singapore’s waste management system.
Its research agenda will focus on four key areas:
- Analysing waste flows to identify resource recovery opportunities.
- Developing technologies to recover materials currently disposed of at Semakau Landfill.
- Advancing treatment and recovery methods for toxic industrial waste.
- Establishing environmental and safety standards for repurposed materials.
Officials said the initiative is designed to unlock value from waste streams that are currently difficult to recycle or recover.
Recycling Rates Move Further Away From National Targets
The announcement comes against the backdrop of Singapore’s ongoing review of its Zero Waste Masterplan 2030, first introduced in 2019.
Speaking at Catalyst 2026, Janil revealed that Singapore’s recycling performance has declined rather than improved since the strategy was launched.
The country’s overall recycling rate fell to 52 per cent in 2025 from 59 per cent in 2019. This remains well below Singapore’s target of achieving a 70 per cent recycling rate by 2030.
Domestic recycling rates dropped from 17 per cent to 11 per cent during the same period.
Non-domestic recycling also declined, falling from 73 per cent in 2019 to 67 per cent in 2025.
The figures have prompted authorities to reassess existing targets and explore ways to improve both recycling participation and the quality of recyclable materials collected.
Semakau Landfill at the Center of Singapore’s Circular Economy Plans
The future of Pulau Semakau remains one of Singapore’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Located south of the main island, Semakau Landfill is projected to run out of available space around 2035.
As part of the current policy review, authorities are examining options to ensure adequate landfill capacity beyond that date while reducing dependence on disposal through greater resource recovery.
TREASURES is expected to play a central role in those efforts.
The centre will seek to identify ways to recover useful materials from waste currently sent to Semakau, with the long-term objective of transforming the landfill into a resource recovery hub rather than a traditional disposal site.
“Over time, this will support our transition towards a more circular and resource-efficient waste management system, including our long-term ambition to transform Semakau Landfill,” said Ng Keng Wei, Group Director at the NEA.
Research Grants to Support New Waste Solutions
To accelerate innovation, TREASURES will launch its first grant call from June 17 to August 17.
Universities, research institutes and private sector companies will be invited to submit proposals focused on toxic industrial waste management and landfill transformation.
Officials hope the programme will encourage collaboration across academia, industry and government while generating practical solutions that can be deployed at scale.
The initiative reflects Singapore’s broader strategy of leveraging research and technological innovation to address resource constraints and environmental challenges.
Limited Land Drives Need for Long-Term Waste Solutions
According to Chu Jian, co-director of TREASURES and chair of NTU’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, waste management remains a critical long-term challenge because of Singapore’s limited land availability.
As population growth, urbanisation and industrial activity continue to generate waste streams, finding more efficient methods of resource recovery has become increasingly important.
The centre’s work is expected to contribute to Singapore’s wider efforts to strengthen resource efficiency and support the development of a circular economy.
Artificial Intelligence and Industry Partnerships Expand Environmental Services Sector
The launch of TREASURES formed part of a broader package of initiatives aimed at modernising Singapore’s environmental services industry.
The government unveiled a refreshed Environmental Services Industry Digital Plan featuring artificial intelligence-enabled technologies, including robotic toilet cleaning systems designed to improve productivity and address labour shortages.
In a separate development, the NEA and Germany’s Messe Berlin signed a partnership agreement to expand CleanEnviro Summit Singapore 2027.
The collaboration will introduce CMS Asia, a new regional trade exhibition platform focused on environmental services, sustainability innovation and circular economy solutions.
Organisers said the partnership aims to strengthen industry collaboration, encourage knowledge sharing and create new business opportunities across the Asia-Pacific region.
Building a More Resource-Efficient Future
As Singapore reassesses its waste management strategy and confronts the approaching capacity limits of Semakau Landfill, the launch of TREASURES represents a significant investment in research-driven solutions.
With declining recycling rates, growing waste volumes and limited land resources, officials view resource recovery and circular economy innovation as increasingly important pillars of the country’s environmental strategy.
The new centre is expected to help shape the next phase of Singapore’s waste management system, transforming complex waste streams into valuable resources while supporting the nation’s long-term sustainability goals.
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