TURNING WASTE INTO INCOME IN MELAKA

By Fadzli Ramli

MELAKA (Malaysia), Dec 24 (Bernama) -- In deliberating on waste and its
disposal methods in Melaka, Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam called upon the
people in the state and all relevant parties to find a solution for the ever
increasing waste and the difficulties in disposing them.

Through Melaka's "Go Green" vision, Mohd Ali pointed out Melaka has embarked
on a an ambitious programme - "Turning Waste Into Gold" - that literally turns
waste into income for the people.

The programmes is anchored on recyling waste where it not only provides
income but also saves Melaka's landfills from being overwhelmed by waste.

"We know that things like paper, iron and others can be sold to scrapyards
but how come not many are doing this?" he asked.

Mohd Ali wants to see the people of Melaka separate their waste accordingly
to allow recycling.

"Waste that is organic in nature like food can be processed into fertilizer
and agricultural waste like paddy husk can be turned into animal feed," he said.

He shared this with the reporters after visiting the Krubong landfill
recently.

TAKING RECYCLING INTO GREATER HEIGHTS

Mohd Ali is looking into the possibility of turning the waste at the
Krubong landfill into an energy source as well.

During his visit to landfills overseas he saw extraction pipes coming out of
landfills to extract methane and carbon dioxide resulting from the waste
decaying process in the chambers underneath.

"We are looking into ways to extract these gasses at the Krubong landfill.
The gas, like methane are considered clean combustion fuel unlike petrol and
coal and it can helps us preserve the environment," he said.

Other than extracting the gas, the state government is also looking to
extract oil from the accumulated waste with the oil transformed into bio-diesel.

According to Mohd Ali, the people of Melaka produce between 1,300 tonnes and
1,400 tonnes of waste daily with the cost of disposing them reaching up to
RM70,000 (US$22,580) daily.

Moreover, the Krubong landfill can only last for another three years and the
other landfill in Sungai Udang can only last another five years and have to be
replaced with new sites.

Mohd Ali asked: "How long more can we be going on like this, recycling could
help extend the lifespan of the landfills but the landfills too being inundated
with waste that cannot be recycled, how are we to dispose all these?

IS INCINERATOR THE SOLUTION

Thus Mohd Ali believes an incinerator will help to turn the non recycleable
waste into income.

The ashes from the waste can be turned into bricks and the heat can help
generate electricity like how its done overseas.

Though there are some who do not favour the incinerator, as they believe
this contributes to air pollution, Mohd Ali begged to differ as the emmissions
from the incinerator is controlled unlike during open burning.

And the the incinerator can last up to 30 years and is seen as a viable
option but the price tag of RM500 million (US$161 million) seems to be a
stumbling block.

"Nevertheless, we have already prepared an area about 4 hectares in Sungai
Udang for the incinerator, we have been asking the federal government for the
incinerator for the last ten years and will continue asking," he said.

Mohd Ali is also finding ways to create awareness among the people on why it
is important to conserve the environment.

To realise this effort, effective Jan 1 the state government plans to impose
between 10 sen and 20 sen for anyone requesting plastic bags when shopping.

"I was told that there are supermarkets in Melaka that have already embarked
on this campaign, the money that they collect is channelled for the
environmental cause," he said.

Malacca City is located 148 km south east to Malaysian capital city Kuala
Lumpur. The historical city centre has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage
Site since 7 July 2008.
-- BERNAMA


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