By DayakDaily Team
BINTULU, Sept 11: Sarawak is developing a comprehensive Waste Management Master Plan, slated for completion by the end of 2025, which will serve as the State’s strategic framework for waste management through to 2050.
In a TVS news report, Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the master plan is vital to strengthening Sarawak’s waste management system while reducing reliance on traditional landfills.
“Ongoing efforts focus on reducing waste at the source, promoting reuse and recycling, and enhancing solid waste management. This master plan will ensure that every step minimises environmental impact while maximising resource recovery,” he said when officiating the 12th Sarawak Premier Environmental Award (PSEA) 2025/2026 today.
The plan also includes the construction of two waste-to-energy (WtE) plants by 2026 to convert solid waste into energy.
A pilot project has already begun in Lubok Antu, where oil palm kernel waste is being transformed into biomass, animal feed and biofuel.
The Sarawak government is also exploring hydrogen production from livestock waste, aligning with Sarawak’s push to expand green technologies.
Len Talif stressed that the success of the plan hinges on public participation, especially in waste separation at the source and cultivating a culture of recycling, in line with the State’s circular economy goals and the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
On the PSEA, he noted that the award is not just a form of recognition but an important platform to inspire collective action and strengthen shared responsibility for environmental protection.
“Government policy alone is not enough. Success requires the commitment of all stakeholders, including industries, businesses, local authorities and communities. This is the transformative role of the PSEA in fostering a culture of shared responsibility towards a sustainable future for Sarawak,” he added. — DayakDaily
