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Wednesday, February 12, 2025

A Leap Towards Sustainable Waste Management in Sarawak

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Solid waste is a ubiquitous problem that will continue to exist alongside humankind.

As such, it must be properly managed to protect human health and the environment and preserve natural resources.

Still, not enough realise that solid waste also impacts climate change.

The manufacture, distribution, and use of products, even the disposal of the resulting waste—all result in emissions of atmospheric gases called “greenhouse gases” that affect the Earth’s climate.

When organic waste decomposes in landfills and uncontrolled dumps, it produces methane, one of the major greenhouse gases contributing to climate change.

Every year, the issue of waste generation increases with population expansion and industrialisation.

In recent years, global disposal sites have emitted 30–50 Tg of methane annually.

This is estimated to be 5–20% of the global anthropogenic methane, which is 1–4% of the total anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.

As such, solid waste should be managed through a number of activities—waste prevention, recycling, composting, controlled burning, or landfilling through an integrated solid waste management system that best protects respective communities and the local environment.

In line with national and state efforts to combat waste management issues, the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) has taken a significant step towards sustainable waste management with the introduction of the 3R Smart Community Stations initiative.

This innovative program, launched on October 2024, aims to encourage community participation in environmental cleanliness efforts and provide a modern solution to waste management challenges in the DBKU area.

The 3R Smart Community Station Initiative in Detail

According to Datuk Dr. Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Junaidi, Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication (Utility), the 3R Smart Community Station serves as a platform for collecting, processing, and managing recyclable materials in dedicated areas.

In synergy with Sarawak’s goals in adopting more renewable energy and sustainability-based solutions, these stations are equipped with advanced features such as solar-powered lights, a rainwater harvesting system, weighing scales, tables and chairs, recycling bins, signboards, and fire extinguishers.

The uniqueness of the initiative lies in the integration of the 3RKU (which refers to ‘Reuse, Reduce & Recycle’) mobile application, which streamlines the recycling process by allowing users to exchange recyclable items for cash.

“This innovative app is one of DBKU’s efforts to make recycling activities easier and smarter in Kuching North city areas,” Dr. Haji Abdul Rahman said.

By leveraging technology, the program streamlines waste disposal, making it more efficient and user-friendly. As of now, 14 stations have been built in various locations in the DBKU area, including schools and residential areas like Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Muara Tebas, Sepakat Jaya Demak Laut, Surau Darul Hijrah, SMK Tunaz, SK Rakyat Tupong, Dewan Masyarakat Kampung Tunku, and SMK Sungai Maong.

Meanwhile, DBKU Mayor, Dato Haji Hilmy Bin Haji Othman highlighted plans to extend this initiative to industrial areas such as the Demak Laut Industrial Estate and Sejingkat Estate.

“We look forward to collaborating with factories and industries to implement similar efforts in the future,” he said.

This expansion aims to address waste management challenges on a larger scale while promoting a culture of sustainability across sectors.

The State of Waste Management in Malaysia and Sarawak

Malaysia’s waste management landscape has undergone significant transformation since the federalisation of solid waste management (SWM).

The introduction of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act (Act 672) in 2007 and the establishment of SWCorp Malaysia in 2008, followed by the federalisation of solid waste management in 2011 marked a turning point.

However, challenges remain, including increasing waste generation, low recycling rates, and public apathy towards sustainable practices.

Despite various national initiatives, such as the Separation at Source regulation in 2015, only 10% of household waste is recycled.

Chairman of Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) Tan Kai conducts a demonstration of proper solid waste management and segregation in at SJK Chung Hua Stapok, Batu Kawa (Photo Credit: New Sarawak Tribune)

According to a report by Kementrian Ekonomi in 2021, Malaysian households generated 42,672 tonnes of waste daily, with a significant portion ending up in non-sanitary landfills. Illegal dumpsites and open burning further exacerbate environmental and health risks.

The government’s Circular Economy Blueprint for Solid Waste (2025-2035) aims to address these issues through strategies like the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme and zero-waste-to-landfill certifications.

Batu Kitang Assemblyman, Dato Ir Lo Khere Chiang, highlighted that the Circular Economy approach is a key strategy for realising the state’s Zero Waste objectives. (Photo Credit: UKAS)

Sarawak faces unique waste management challenges. According to a study in 2020, Sarawak tops the list of hazardous waste percentage in municipal solid waste.

Of its 46 landfills, only five are sanitary, with three equipped with leachate treatment facilities.

Rural areas, in particular, struggle with limited waste management coverage due to accessibility issues; in 2020, the national rural coverage of municipal solid waste management stood at 66%, with Sarawak’s coverage being even lower.

The study also revealed that Kuching generates the highest daily municipal solid waste (MSW) at 690 tonnes, followed by Miri (281 tonnes), Serian (176.7 tonnes) and Betong (70 tonnes).

As of 2023, the Sarawak’s waste management councils have collect approximately 718,456 tons of municipal waste annually, most of which end up in landfills, an endeavour that costed more than 30% of the local councils’ revenue based on the data provided from 2019 until 2020.

An examination also revealed that Sarawak’s waste composition aligns with national trends of household waste composition, with food waste accounting for 44.5%, followed by plastics (13.2%), diapers (12.1%) and paper (8.5%).

Sarawaks Waste Management Initiatives

Encouragingly, recycling initiatives like a six months curbside recycling collection project led by Padawan Municipal Council and Trienekens Group in 2019 have shown potential.

The Kuching Integrated Waste Management Park is another notable development, serving as one of Southeast Asia’s first integrated waste management facilities.

Treinekens Group CEO Stephen Chin explains the principles behind their initiatives, “We need to look at the entire waste management system from generating less waste, to a better standardised recycling system.

At Trienekens, we are always keen to look for effective and innovative solutions for our customers and the public, going beyond the standard municipal collection services to create a positive impact for the community and environment.”

More recent initiatives also acknowledge the importance of educating the public to raise awareness on waste segregation.

This can be seen in the 2023 Solid Waste Segregation and Recycling programme that focused on instilling recycling practices among school students.

By raising awareness among students the negative effect of improper waste recycling to the environment towards the environment and humanity, it is hoped that they would be inspired to replicate more waste segregation efforts at home.

Government efforts towards improving the state’s waste management industry also intensified in recent years, such as supporting the Agenda 21 program initiated by the United Nations to promote sustainable development at the local level.

Some local authorities, such as Miri, Mukah and Dalat, have implemented plastic bag bans and expanded recycling infrastructure, while others like Serian and Sri Aman have introduced composting and used-paper programs in schools and communities.

Meanwhile, Saratok and Lawas also hired private agents to collect used cooking oil and implemented bio-cleaning machines for food wastes in markets.

On an industrial scale, more efforts are being made across industries to minimise and repurpose waste, such as Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) that developed timber processing zones.

The project operates on producing wood products such as wood pellets and engineered wood out of scraps that were traditionally discarded as part of their sustainability initiative to reduce wastage, with the ultimate goal of cutting out waste entirely.

Additionally, the state Economic Planning Unit is currently studying the feasibility of setting up two waste-to-energy technology incinerators, one each for the northern and southern zones of Sarawak, which is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2025.

In alignment with state ambitions to reduce consumption and waste generation, the Natural Resources and Environment Bill 2024 has received widespread support for its emphasis on waste management, resource efficiency, and sustainable development, aligning with Sarawak’s broader sustainability goal.

The Significance of the 3R Smart Community Station

The 3R Smart Community Station addresses several critical gaps in Sarawak’s waste management system.

By providing accessible recycling options and leveraging technology, the initiative tackles low participation rates and operational inefficiencies.

The integration of the 3RKU app incentivises recycling through monetary rewards, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility.

The strategic location of the stations in residential areas and schools also ensure ease of accessibility for the surrounding community to partake in recycling efforts.

Moreover, the program aligns with broader sustainability goals by incorporating eco-friendly features such as solar energy and rainwater harvesting.

These elements not only reduce the environmental footprint of the stations but also set a precedent for future waste management solutions.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the 3R Smart Community Station represents a promising step forward, challenges persist. Public awareness and participation are likely to remain key barriers.

Studies on past recycling programmes have shown that they often falter due to a number of common factors; poor awareness, lack of incentives, and logistical issues such as inconsistent operational schedules, lack of accessible (and convenient) infrastructure and misuse of recycling bins.

Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, which the community station attempts to tackle in its design.

Strengthening community engagement, improving infrastructure, and enhancing coordination among agencies are essential. Financial support for waste segregation and recycling projects, coupled with effective legislation, can further bolster efforts.

Additionally, fostering markets for recycled materials and professionalising the recycling industry will play a crucial role in sustaining momentum.

Looking Ahead

The 3R Smart Community Station initiative embodies a vision for a cleaner, more sustainable Sarawak.

By combining community involvement with innovative technology, it paves the way for a more efficient waste management system.

As the program expands to industrial sectors and gains traction, it has the potential to serve as a model for other regions in Malaysia and beyond.

Ultimately, the success of such initiatives hinges on collective action.

By embracing the principles of ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,’ Sarawak can lead the way in building a greener future for generations to come.

References

  1. “Sarawak Advances Zero Waste & Sustainable Development With New Natural Resources & Environment Bill 2024”
  2. “Zero waste agenda on track; money to be made”
  3. DBKU Launches 3R Smart Community Station To Boost Recycling Efforts
  4. DBKU launches 3R Smart Community Stations
  5. “Kuching, Malaysia, launches pilot recycling project”
  6. “Raising awareness on recycling practices in schools”
  7. “Circular Economy Solid Waste Management — Kementerian Ekonomi”
  8. “Solid Waste Management in Malaysia: An overview”
  9. “Municipal Solid Waste Management in the Sarawak State of Malaysia and the Way Forward”
  10. “MBKS — What is Recycling”
  11. “Waste Management Centre”
  12. “Underestimated Methane Emissions from Solid Waste Disposal Sites Reveal Missed Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Opportunities”
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