Malaysia looking for better solid waste management

TOKYO: Malaysia will continue to look at other viable options for good solid waste management that is also environment-friendly and affordable.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said although Malaysia was currently focused on sanitary landfills, the Government would continue to look at other options for its waste management.
“That is also why I am in Japan because I chair the Cabinet committee that makes decisions on solid waste management and will visit an incinerator plant here.”
He was asked by a Japanese businessman on the Government’s plans for solid waste management as it involved a huge sum of money.
Najib, who is on a four-day visit here, had earlier delivered an address at a business luncheon here on business opportunities in Malaysia.
He visited the Chuo incinerator plant for a first hand look at how garbage collected from around Tokyo is processed and turned into wallpaper, recycled concrete and plasterboard.
The plant has the capacity to process 600 tonnes of rubbish daily and pollutants are released within self imposed limits.
The heat generated through incineration by plant, built in July 2001 for some 30 billion yen (RM900mil), is used for power generation and heat supply. The plant is also situated near residential areas.
Also present at the briefing were Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis.