At around 1.15kg of waste per capita per day, the country’s waste generation is the highest in the Asean region.

THE waste sector in Brunei Darussalam accounts for only 0.001% of the total greenhouse gases emission, though the country’s waste generation is the highest in the Asean region.

Brunei generates around 1.15kg of waste per capita per day and the disposal of this waste mainly ends up at landfills.

Year 2019 marked the highest waste generated at 263,669 metric tonnes.

The increased demand for energy and material consumption and the growing number of businesses and industries due to population growth will eventually lead to an increase in waste generation.

This will cause the landfill to fill up earlier than projected.

The Sungai Paku Engineered Landfill Site, based on the current waste generation, will reach its full capacity in less than 10 years.

The growing concern on the country’s rising waste generation and proper approach of addressing the issue were underscored by Deputy Minister of Development Marzuke Mohsin as the guest of honour at the opening ceremony of Operational Document Taskforce Workshop for Brunei Darussalam National Climate Change Policy Strategy 7 on Waste Management at Atria Simpur Hall of Public Works Department yesterday.

As a country with a relatively small resource base, to achieve sustainability both economically and environmentally, the deputy minister said, “We are still compelled to attain holistic sustainability in a balanced manner.

“It is understandable that each and every one of us has our own strength and limitation with different capabilities and capacities in facing and addressing waste issues.

“We need to find a solution in the form of an integrated action plan or roadmap document that is doable and fit for purpose to our national circumstances.”

Marzuke added that, “This can be achieved by putting our acts together and channelling a strong collaboration and cooperation between agencies and stakeholders, and building on each other’s strengths and experiences in addressing these challenges.

“By doing so, we can ensure accessibility and transparency in disseminating relevant information, and also effective knowledge transfer regarding best available technologies and practices across agencies and stakeholders in dealing with waste management.”

We need to find a solution in the form of an integrated action plan or roadmap document that is doable.

Marzuke Mohsin