KUCHING: The Sustainable Resources and Wastes Management Bill 2025 could unlock one of Sarawak’s largest untapped economic opportunities by turning waste into a resource that fuels new value chains in recycling, biomass, e-waste and waste-to-energy.
UNIMAS senior lecturer Dzul Hadzwan Husaini said the Bill places Sarawak ahead of most Malaysian states and even the federal level by establishing a modern circular-economy framework that treats waste as an economic asset rather than a disposal issue.
“The move lays the foundation for new industries, skilled jobs and long-term investment,” he told Sarawak Tribune.
He added that international experience shows how far a region can advance once waste is managed through a structured system.
Dzul pointed to China’s large waste-processing sector, which grew so rapidly that it relied on imported waste from the United States and Europe to support its recycling and manufacturing ecosystem.
“China may not be a perfect comparison due to its size, but the lesson is universal. Waste becomes valuable when a government builds the right system around it,” he said.
He added that Singapore offers a more suitable benchmark for Sarawak, noting that the republic has transformed waste into a high-value sector through strict segregation, advanced waste-to-energy plants and world-class recycling systems.
“With far more land and renewable resources than Singapore, Sarawak can build an even stronger ecosystem if supported by clear regulation, technology investment and public participation,” he said.
Dzul said the Bill opens the path for Sarawak to attract green investments, stimulate innovation and position itself as Malaysia’s centre of excellence for circular-economy industries.
He said the state has the land, resources and now the legal structure to grow a regional hub for recycling, waste processing and green-technology development that can drive both domestic opportunities and international trade.
Furthermore, he pointed out that his research on waste-to-energy in China and the United States shows a consistent pattern.
He noted that countries that scale up waste-to-energy reduce environmental pressure, while those that slow expansion face rising pollution and ecological stress.
“In simple terms, waste-to-energy works best when it is scaled up properly and supported with the right technology and investment. It is not just a waste solution.
“It is a pathway to cleaner growth, lower pollution and a more sustainable future for regions that plan and invest early,” he said.
He said Sarawak’s potential in waste-to-energy is significant, but global experience shows that such projects require clean technology, strict emissions controls and large capital investment.
Dzul said that the United States continues to face high operating costs and competition from cheaper landfilling despite operating plants since the late 1800s, while China still contends with cost concerns, pollution risks and public acceptance.
“Sarawak must ensure that any waste-to-energy development uses the best available technology and integrates well with recycling, composting and resource recovery,” he said.
He said e-waste is another fast-growing waste stream that offers strong potential for Sarawak.
“With the right technology and regulation, the state can develop a regional industry that recovers valuable metals and components and even receives e-waste from other countries under strict environmental controls.”
Dzul said the success of the Bill depends not only on legislation but also on public behaviour.
He said waste segregation and recycling must become part of everyday practice across households, businesses and industries.
“This Bill can help shape that behaviour but it will require strong enforcement, community education and collaboration between the public and private sectors,” he said.
He described the Bill not only as an environmental reform but also as an economic strategy that can turn waste into wealth, create green jobs, establish new industries and position Sarawak as a leader in the circular economy.
“This is the right direction for Sarawak’s future,” he said.
