Zuraida: Landfills to be phased out, more eco-friendly waste disposal systems to be adopted

KUALA LUMPUR (July 11): The government wants to stop using landfills while studies are to be conducted to adopt more energy efficient and eco-friendly methods of waste disposal.

"Phasing out landfills and replacing them with other more effective methods is the way forward and we want to do this as soon as possible.

"We are in the midst of reviewing all the existing waste management system that we have, including how long more they can be used," The Star reported Housing and Local Government minister Zuraida Kamaruddin (pictured) telling the media in Ipoh yesterday.

She revealed that the ministry is studying four methods: the biomass waste management technology, waste-to-energy, incinerator or biodigester

They will be implemented based on a locality's suitability and the type of waste involved, The Star reported.

"If the land size, place, and timing are right with affordable cost, we will start somewhere by carrying out trials at certain localities under different local councils.

"I expect the studies to be completed by the end of the year. And if I have a complete study report I will be able to identify where I can start the plan," she told the daily.

"My mission is for each local council to have a biomass system on its own, while the volume of waste and the technology's capacity will be studied.

"We stand to gain economically from the reduced costs of occupying and cleaning up land, processing waste in landfills while reducing pollution and environmental problems.

"There won't be a one-method-fits-all approach. We will see and decide based on each locality, the size of the wastes and capacity of each technology," she added.