Sibu Central Market gets green waste composting machine
SIBU: An environmentallyfriendly waste composting machine to turn food wastes into fertiliser is now available at the Sibu Central Market making it the first such initiative being implemented here.
Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) deputy chairwoman Rogayah Jamain said on Thursday the joint initiative between the council and a private company – Yut Leong ( M) Sdn Bhd – was to green up the town.
She disclosed this when officiating at the commissioning of the green wastes composting machine at the central market.
The machine placed at the green waste composting centre, near the wet ‘tamu’ area in the central market is capable of processing 150 kilogrammes of food wastes per day.
“This is a step in the right direction to reduce the volume of food wastes making their way to the landfi ll. It will go a long way to lengthen the lifespan of the landfi ll,” she pointed out.
Rogayah also said that traders at the market need to segregate their wastes into vegetables/ fruits and others (for composting purposes).
Based on a 2010 survey carried out in major towns in Sarawak, the composition of waste includes food perishables (35 per cent), paper (19 per cent), soft plastic (11 per cent), hard plastic (five per cent), garden waste (five per cent), disposable diapers (five per cent), glass (three per cent) and wood (two per cent), while the rest comprises metal and construction wastes.
Also present were SMC secretary Jong Thian Puk, senior assistant secretary Yong Ing Chu, council’s Public Health and Environment Standing Committee chairperson Rhoda Ting and Market and Petty Traders Standing Committee chairwoman Wong Hie Ping.