Make everyday earth day
Generation of non-organic wastes such as plastic, glass, paper and metals is being addressed under the Malaysian law for in-situ solid waste sorting mechanism.
The Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) states that households that fail to separate their waste can be fined RM 50 for a landed property, and RM100 for premises like shop lots on the first offence.
This law so far has never been enforced. Perishable waste however remains a problem. Every day disposal of preventable food waste and organic waste from farming and agriculture adds a significant burden to landfills and adds unnecessary management costs.
These organic wastes could potentially be utilized as precursor materials of value-added products.
For example, anaerobic treatment can produce biogas which contains up to 60% methane that could be used as a source of energy. On the other hand, with well managed composting, organic waste can be upgraded into high quality compost that is useful as a fertilizer.
These two unit operations can work in conjunction to maximise the benefits in terms of value-added products, waste treatment and environmental preservation.
Who we are
Upcyclingventures
I am motivated to work in this area based on this official statement made by The Government of Malaysia at an intergovernmental meeting.
"Solid waste collection is satisfactory but the disposal system is largely by controlled tipping and burning. The disposal of solid waste is a problem like those in any countries and an organized programme in this direction is needed. The local authorities in many cases are hampered by lack of trained experienced personnel, financial resources, and knowledge of the effects of health."
The statement is unsurprisingly sound and topical when in fact it was first heard on June 1972 at the UN Conference on Human Environment, Stockholm. More than 10 years before I was born.
So… the time is now.