The continuing search for sustainable sand alternatives an imperative for Singapore

[SINGAPORE] Indonesia’s sea sand exports could grow this year, after the country in 2023 lifted a 20-year ban. The move has been described as a “boon” for major sand importer Singapore. But with the threat to marine life, the city-state faces a responsibility to lead the search for sustainable sand alternatives.

On Mar 14, a report by research outfit BMI warned that strong demand for Indonesian sand from mainland China and South-east Asian economies – including Singapore – raises environmental degradation risks.

Singapore is believed to be the largest importer of sand globally, having imported a reported 517 million tonnes over two decades, said a 2019 report by the United Nations Environment Programme. The city-state has increased its land area by more than 23 per cent over a 45-year period.

With the lifting of Indonesia’s sea sand ban, Singapore and other importers could have better access to this vital commodity. Sea sand is crucial for economic growth, especially in the face of climate change – it is used not just for construction and land reclamation, but also to nourish beaches to protect the coastline.

Indonesia has claimed that it will mitigate environmental damage with strict conditions this time. For instance, the sand extracted is from sedimentation found in seven Indonesian regions. But as BMI believes, “the legalisation will likely be accompanied by an increase in illegal mining”. Unchecked sand mining previously destroyed 26 sand islands in Riau and coral reefs in Banten, according to local reports. Dredging sand also releases carbon stored in sediments, going against decarbonisation efforts.

The environmental impact of sand mining has already prompted other South-east Asian countries – such as Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand – to ban certain sand exports. Myanmar, which became a key source of sand while Indonesia’s ban was still in place, has seen serious consequences. River-bed erosion has destroyed some agricultural land and threatened the livelihoods of farmers and fishers, said BMI.

Singapore has already expressed its commitment to sustainable sourcing of sand. National Development Minister Desmond Lee said that sand importers must abide by the laws of the source countries and obtain sand from legally permissible areas.

A longer-term solution would be to figure out how to reduce our reliance on sand imports. Singapore has already been exploring alternatives. Given its resources and tech hub status, the Republic needs to ramp up such efforts and take the lead as a global innovator.

One solution that Singapore has looked into is empoldering, where a sea wall is built around the area to be reclaimed, and it is drained using pumps. This method can save 40 per cent in sand volume and is currently being used in reclamation works at Pulau Tekong, according to a government website. Recycling construction debris is another potential solution, as well as the repurposing of incineration ash from the Semakau Landfill.

In the meantime, South-east Asia’s appetite for sand is only set to grow. BMI forecasts that the region’s construction industry will expand by 78 per cent between 2024 and 2034, driving up demand for sand. Singapore is also embarking on major land reclamation efforts. For example, the Long Island project could involve some 800 hectares, or more than 1,000 football fields, of reclaimed land.

With sand having underpinned Singapore’s economic miracle, the city-state faces a major responsibility.