Abg Jo: S’wak carrying out study on waste management
KUCHI NG: Sa rawak has commissioned a study to review current pol icy, legi slat ion and institutional regulations and c apacit ies governi ng waste generation and disposal management, aside from adopting and advocating 3R - Reduce, reuse and recycle.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said in advanced countries like Canada, waste management goes beyond 3R, the three essential components of environmentally responsible consumer behaviour.
“Whenever possible, waste reduction is the preferable option. If waste is produced, every effort should be made to reuse it if practicable. Recycling is the third option in waste management hierarchy. Although recycling does help to conserve resources and reduce waste, it is important to remember that there are economic and environmental costs associated with waste collection and recycling.
“For this reason, recycling should only be considered for waste which cannot be reduced or reused; and it may be possible to recover materials or energy from waste which cannot be reduced, reused or recycled,” he said at the 8th Sarawak Chief Minister’s Environmental Award ( CMEA) presentation at a hotel here on Wednesday night.
Thus, the focus of waste management lies in wastage reduction and not recycling, and effort must be put into inculcating and cultivating the culture of responsible consumer behaviour.
Speaking of the award, he said Sarawak is fi rm in its approach in promoting environmental protection and conservation of its naturalresources, andtheobjective of the award is to promote this trait to the stakeholders to ensure that Sarawak’s transformation agenda of becoming a developed state by 2020 become a reality.
“Our mission is to develop Sarawak where the next generation can enjoy a better life than the one that went before it. That means protecting and enhancing our natural environment for the next generation, so they have a healthy and beautiful country in which to build their lives.
“With the theme ‘ Nurturing Environmental Stewardship’ for this year’s CMEA award, it is a call for all of us to protect the environment through recycling, conservation, regeneration and restoration efforts.
“It means taking responsibility for our actions. The responsibility for environmental quality should be shared by all on our actions that affect the environment,” he said.
He added that organisations can strengthen the environmental stewardship by putting systems in place that will enable workers to use resources efficiently, reduce waste and minimise the negative impacts on the environment, reduce consumption and waste into financial savings and provide a healthy, more efficient and effective working environment.
Meanwhile, he said the state is embarking on green technology in the development and application of products, equipment and systems for the protection of the natural environment and conservation of resources, which minimise and reduce the negative impact of human activities such as generation of power through the development of hydro- electric power projects.
When asked on further details of the study after the event, Natural Resources and Environment Board ( NREB) controller Peter Sawal said it was ongoing and expected to be completed in March next year.
The study was started in Dec last year and involves 26 councils.
“This study should have been completed but the technical committee members said that there are many data to be analysed and model simulation to be made so the consultant requested for time to complete the model.
“We hope the study will come with recommendations for policies, regulation, framework and integrated system to be put in place for solid waste management including demolition and construction waste, without damaging the environment.”
He added that several consultants were appointed – locals and from countries like Denmark, United Kingdom and Italy.
“We will use experience from developed countries to guide us in waste management and we will see what is suitable to be adapted here.”
Peter, who is also the technical committee chairman, said once the report is completed, special negotiations will be held to look in depth at the suggestions from the study.
Meanwhile, the 8th Sarawak CMEA included the ‘Food and Eateries’ category for the first time in its prestigious history. Out of the 99 entries received, 57 were for the new category.
The other categories are Large Enterprise, Medium Industries, Small Industries, Local Authorities and Individuals or Journalists.
Out of the entries, nine received Merit Awards, 16 received Gold Awards while 11 received Champion Awards.
The champions are Cecelia Sman from The Borneo Post, Shin Yang Trading Sdn Bhd ( Linau Forest Management Unit), Press Metal Bintulu Sdn Bhd, Malaysia LNG Sdn Bhd, Sime Darby Austral Sdn Bhd, Wargana Consortium Sdn Bhd, Fly Technology Agriculture Sdn Bhd, Kuching North City Commission, Jinhold Restaurant, Payung Cafe and Min’s Cafe.
The award is organised mainly to provide encouragement for industries to develop good stewardship in environmental protection and management in the state. It was introduced in 2001 and is held biennially.
Present at the event were Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin, Minister in Chief Minister’s Office ( Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh and Sarawak Business Federation ( SBF) president Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg.