A STUDY commissioned by the Sarawak government to review policies, laws and regulations on waste generation and disposal will miss its deadline.

State Environmental Quality Controller Peter Sawal said the study, which started last December and was originally slated for completion at the end of this month, may be finished only in March next year.

Sawal, who is also director of the Natural Resources and Environment Board, was asked about Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg’s remarks at the Chief Minister’s Environmental Awards in Kuching last night, where he disclosed that a study linked to the state’s efforts to reduce waste generation is ongoing.

Sawal said the delay is due to consultants’ request for more time to gather data required by the technical committee.

“The committee wants the consultants to look into another aspect that is not within the original scope of the study. A lot of data is needed.”

He said the data is for use in a simulation model that the committee is working on.

The study will come up with recommendations for the state’s new waste management policy, he added.

Sawal said the “massive” study, which is looking into waste-related problems faced by 26 local councils in Sarawak, has examined the practices in place in other countries, thanks to input from six foreign consultants.

“We are looking into their waste collection… how much rubbish is not collected, how much is disposed of illegally.

“We are studying their practices on waste segregation, as well as waste composition.”

He said the study’s recommendations to the state government “will be tailored to Sarawak’s needs”.

Abang Johari said the state is adopting and advocating the 3R principle – reduce, reuse and recycle – describing it as “an essential component of environmentally responsible consumer behaviour”.

He said Sarawak wants to emulate the practices of nations like Canada, where waste management is not just based on 3R, but goes beyond the principle.

“Wherever possible, waste reduction is the preferred option. If waste is produced, every effort should be made to reuse it if viable.” – December 13, 2018.