KUCHING: Sarawak is preparing a policy paper aimed at leading the way in proper domestic waste disposal.
Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Deputy Minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the state government has agreed to explore more effective and sustainable waste management solutions, including waste-to-energy and incineration, in response to overcapacity landfills and growing environmental risks.
“In terms of the state government’s approach, we have agreed to reduce domestic waste while also identifying the most effective method of disposal.
“The state government has agreed to look into waste-to-energy and incineration, and we are preparing a policy paper to ensure that Sarawak will take the lead in domestic waste disposal,” he said when officiating at the state-level Earth Day celebration at Kuching Polytechnic yesterday (April 21).
On the same note, he pointed out that the increasing volume of domestic waste, especially during the rainy season, has led to pollution in rivers and affected the food supply chain.
Len, who is also the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sarawak deputy chairman, stressed that more hygienic and systematic methods are needed to manage waste moving forward.
He further emphasised the importance of individual responsibility in reducing waste and carbon footprint, adding that even renewable energy sources have their own environmental costs.
“Every source of power generation — even those considered clean — comes with a carbon footprint.
“That’s why we must learn to reduce, reuse and rethink our daily habits.
“Disposing of waste is not cheap. If we can reduce waste at the source, especially food waste, we can channel more resources towards other development priorities,” he said.
