By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Aug 20: The Sarawak government is looking into new technological applications to manage the state’s waste, among which is utilising the digital cloud and global positioning system (GPS) technology.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said if this is successful, Sarawak Management Waste Sdn Bhd (SWM) will be the first state in Malaysia to use this approach.
“As a result of economic development, we have to revamp the ways of managing our waste. Through this new method of data collection from various digital devices, I am sure it can identify the types of waste collected. From there, it will tell us which waste can be recycled,” he said when speaking at the Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd and SWM 20th anniversary celebration last night.
He explained further that if solid waste can be separated according to category, it will facilitate recycling which would in turn help to reduce the impact of waste on the environment.
If the state is able to recycle beneficial waste or even transform it into renewable energy, he said it would definitely benefit the economy as a whole.
“I have requested our Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) to explore this cloud and GPS technology. We must manage our environment as development is taking place everywhere, including Sarawak. So the present government has been thinking of ways to recycle our waste and I am sure we will be able to do so.”
Sarawak is the first state in Malaysia to successfully implement the Integrated Waste Management System, allowing for the management of municipal and hazardous waste in a holistic and integrated manner.
The concession is held by SWM, a joint venture company formed by the state government and Trienekens GmBH Germany.
The construction of Kuching Integrated Waste Management Park (KIWMP) in Mambong was completed in 2004, and has a digital logistics system, a Level 4 sanitary landfill, secure landfill, two hazardous waste incinerators, a leachate wastewater treatment plant, a waste oil distillation plant and an ISO 17025 certified laboratory to effectively treat and dispose of all sorts of waste.
“Our state-of-the-art Waste Management Park in Mambong bears testimony to the high standards of waste management which we in Sarawak are the first to have. I hope that moving forward, with the right technology, research and development, SWM and Trienekens will be able to successfully implement better and more sustainable solutions to waste and resource management,” Abang Johari said. — DayakDaily
