Landfill operators to sort waste for recycling

NST: PUTRAJAYA: There is money in garbage. Landfill operators may soon have to sort out "useful waste material" from the mountains of rubbish in their respective areas for recycling.
This is among the recommendations of the Department of Environment (DOE) to be submitted to the newly-formed Cabinet Committee on Environmental Issues, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
DOE director-general Datuk Rosnani Ibarahim said the department was ready with its suggestions.
She said the system adopted by the Semenyih landfill in separating useful material from waste material should be emulated by other landfill operators.
She said the Housing and Local Government Ministry had long been promoting its recycling campaign.
"This is the most effective system so far to minimise pollution and should be practised by the public at large.
"Through this system, we can try to recover as much as 30 to 40 per cent of waste daily that can be recycled into useful products."
On the department’s recommendations, she said they involved the evolution of a viable system for everyone.
"Right now, the open dumping is not a good system at all. We will be recommending (to the committee) what we consider the best system from the environment point of view."
The DOE, which is the secretariat for the Cabinet Committee, will also propose the terms of reference for a master plan to prevent water contamination and environmental pollution.
The committee has the final say on the terms of reference.
Najib had said on March 11 that the Government would draft a master plan to prevent water contamination and other types of pollution.
On the report into the source of ammonia leaks into Sungai Selangor, Rosnani said it was expected to be ready next week.
"The Selangor DOE is finalising the report."
Rosnani reiterated that more than one possible source was being investigated as there were many human activities along the river.