PUTRAJAYA – Dec 27 The Environment and Water Ministry of Malaysia (Kasa), today approved portable pyrolysis to ease the disposal of solid flood debris, according to Datuk Seri Ujang, its secretary general.
He stated that solid waste can be disposed off at 12 temporary transfer stations near flood-prone areas in Selangor using the portable pyrolysis unit.
Pyrolysis is the thermal breakdown of biomass in the absence of oxygen.
This will make it easier to manage waste in flood-prone areas and save time on disposal.
The Department of Environment (DOE), he stated in a statement today, will give special approval to service providers that have the facility or expertise.
Zaini stated that Kasa, with the cooperation and support of state governments, had coordinated work to collect and transport e-waste from flood-affected areas in order to facilitate management of e–waste.
He said that this will be done by designated e-waste collection centers or registered ewaste collection sites licensed by DOE. This will allow for fast and organized collection according to the area.
He advised that all parties working to clean up flood victims’ homes should seperate e-waste and other types of waste, and that they should not dispose of the waste by open burning.
He explained that burning can cause air quality problems and harm to their health.
Zaini also hoped to see those helping flood victims separate the collected solid waste into three types, including ewaste for recycling.
He said that bulk household waste such as furniture should be taken to the disposal sites, while other types of waste, such as clothing and food, should be separated for disposal using pyrolysis or other portable methods.
He stated that DOE had also granted special permission to Selangor to dispose bulk household waste through the organised disposal hole (KLPT). Bernama
