1. Introduction
Singapore is challenged with managing its waste disposal facilities
effectively. With a total mainland area of 647.5 km2, the nation
is faced with limited land for the dumping of waste
materials. The annual generation of municipal solid waste (MSW)
from households and industries has increased steadily from 2.76
to 2.79 million tons in years 1996 and 2000, respectively, and to
an overwhelming 5.60 million tons in 2007 (Key Environmental
Statistics, 2008). The nation’s key policy for waste management
gives top priority to the recycling, recovery and reuse of waste
materials. Next is the incineration of MSW that is not recovered,
reused or recycled. However, incinerators have not been viewed
favorably in many countries due to their limited efficiencies of generating
heat or electricity from wastes, large generation of air
emissions, and the levels of ash produced