Singapore launched the TREASURES centre on June 17, 2026, at the Catalyst environmental services event, announcing a new effort to extend the lifespan of its only landfill, Semakau, beyond 2035 [1, 2, 3]. The centre has been funded with $35 million from the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 Plan, covering the period from January 1, 2026, to March 31, 2030 [1, 2, 3].
TREASURES stands for Towards Resource Efficiency And Sustainability for URban EnvironmentS. It aims to unlock valuable materials trapped in residues and toxic waste streams, repurposing them for use in construction and other industries [1, 2, 3]. The programme targets waste types that have been challenging to recycle, with Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary noting, "It is aptly named, as these materials cannot easily be recycled, but they do hold significant value to industry when properly recovered and properly managed" [2].
The centre is a joint initiative by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) [1, 2, 3]. Chu Jian, co-director of TREASURES, said the project "could position Singapore as a global leader in sustainable urban development and maximising the use of its materials" [3]. A senior NTU civil and environmental engineering official highlighted Singapore's unique challenge, stating, "We will not have space for another landfill on" the island [3].
The Semakau landfill is Singapore’s only active landfill facility and is projected to reach full capacity by about 2035 without intervention [1, 2, 3]. TREASURES seeks to develop technologies and standards to recover and repurpose waste materials, aiming to reduce the volume sent to landfills and transform Semakau into a processing hub [1, 2, 3].
Janil Puthucheary said, "The TREASURES programme represents a long-term commitment to tackling the waste streams that have, until now, been the most challenging to address" [1]. Singapore is also developing digital solutions as part of its effort to become a global leader in resource-efficient urban environments [1, 2, 3].
The TREASURES centre's efforts will run through at least March 2030 under current funding. The initiative targets closing the gap before Semakau reaches its current projected full capacity in about 2035 [1, 2, 3].
