Green Label programme to rev up sustainability in Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: Pentas Flora (Sabah) Sdn Bhd, a member of the Pentas Flora Group, a leading scheduled waste management player in Malaysia, officially launched its groundbreaking Green Label programme on Feb 22.
With the aim to rev up sustainability in Sabah, the programme marks a significant step towards sustainable waste management in the state's service centres and the automotive industry.
The event was officially launched by Pentas Flora group executive director Oon Kin Seng and Pentas Flora Sabah chairman Datuk Mohammad Pintaz Badar, in the presence of Public Relations Secretary to the Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Amos Thien Tze Tin, and State Wildlife Department deputy director (Operations) Yaras Yusup, who lent their support to this impactful initiative.
In his speech, Oon said the Pentas Flora Green Label programme is not just about disposing of waste but it is also about transforming how they approach sustainability.
He said by focusing on service excellence, efficient waste management, environmental compliance, and long-term sustainability, they aim to empower service centres to become true champions for the environment while reaping significant benefits for their businesses.
“We see Sabah to be a great state where Pentas Flora's initiatives can flourish, hence why we began this programme here. In the long run, we aim to be investing RM50 million into our operations here in Sabah this 2024.
“Our journey begins with the Green Label initiative, a beacon of sustainability that illuminates the path toward a cleaner, more responsible future.
“For service centers and waste generators in Sabah, this initiative is not merely a label – it's a promise. A promise to reduce our ecological footprint, protect our natural resources, and safeguard the well-being of generations to come,”he said.
Meanwhile, Amos said he is glad to see such initiatives taking place in Sabah and Malaysia as a whole.
“We thank Pentas Flora for helming this Green Label programme and we are excited for the investment coming into the state.
“This will ensure more job opportunities for Sabahans and positive economic growth for the state and the country at large”, he said.
According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the scheduled waste generated in Malaysia increased by 4.5 per cent to 7,505.2 metric tonnes in 2021 from 7,185.2 metric tonnes in 2020.
Sabah contributed to 3.6 per cent of the total scheduled waste generated in Malaysia in 2021, with 270.2 metric tonnes, and these figures are expected to rise further as our population and economic activities grow.
Therefore, Pentas Flora reckons it is imperative to adopt sound scheduled waste management practices that comply with the relevant laws and regulations, such as the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005.
In addition, it stressed that everyone must also strive to adopt the best available techniques and practices that minimise waste generation, maximise resource recovery, and ensure safe disposal.
The Pentas Flora Green Label programme kicked off with a morning seminar on scheduled waste management, where the Department of Environment Sabah (DOE) experts delved into the intricacies of the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Waste) Regulations 2005, offering practical guidance on packaging, labelling, storage, and waste generator responsibilities.
The eSWIS system, a crucial tool for waste tracking and reporting, was also comprehensively discussed.
Following a press conference in the evening, the event saw a grand ceremony with a plaque presentation recognising participating service centres and an Achievement Award presentation celebrating outstanding environmental efforts.
The event culminated in a sumptuous dinner attended by over 150 guests, fostering a sense of community and shared commitment to a greener Sabah.