SOLID waste management can be defined as a process that involves managing the element of waste generation, storage, collection, transfer and transport, waste recovery or treatment and final waste disposal.

The definition demonstrates that managing solid waste is actually a very complex process since it involves many elements. Nonetheless, the majority of people tend to assume that it only involves disposing of their waste into the dustbin.

This is indirectly reflected when the majority of people, especially in the developing countries, commonly do not even practise waste separation and waste recycling, although it is an integral element under the solid waste management system.

In addition, the definition also suggests that, a country that plans to achieve a sustainable solid waste management system should take the entire elements which fall under the solid waste management system into consideration.

For example, if the local government plans to improve their solid waste management system, they should not only focus on one element, such as waste collection and waste disposal, but should instead cover all elements under the solid waste management starting from managing waste generation until the final element which is waste disposal.

In other words, to achieve a sustainable solid waste management system, it requires a more holistic or comprehensive approach. Similarly, in order to reduce body fat effectively, one should not only focus on exercise, but also closely monitor one’s diet, as both play important roles in reducing body fat effectively.

Ideally, if a country has a sustainable solid waste management system, it will experience less negative environmental impact such as air pollution, harmful diseases, climate change and waste generation.

However, the reality is that a majority of countries, especially developing countries, are experiencing many challenges in managing their solid waste management system. This is mainly contributed by the growing number of population and rapid economic growth.

A similar context is also experienced in Malaysia. For example, in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, issues of solid waste management have become one of the contributing factors to its polluted environment.

This is shown when the local government in Sabah, namely Kota Kinabalu City Hall (KKCH), is still struggling in addressing the issues of indiscriminate waste dumping, increasing number of waste generation and landfill issues. Although for many years, KKCH has frequently organised programmes like Ops Kutu Sampah, gotong-royong, litter-free run, litter-free premises, and litter-free restaurant, issues of solid waste management still persist.

The programmes and campaigns conducted by KKCH show that KKCH mainly focuses on the aspect of cleanliness, public health and sanitation towards addressing the issues of solid waste management. However, too much focus on this aspect suggests that Kota Kinabalu is still trapped in addressing the basic issues of solid waste management.

Developed countries, on the other hand, are no longer focusing on the basic issues of solid waste management, but instead are more focused towards improving the aspect of environmental conservation.

Although the aspects of cleanliness, public health and sanitation are crucial towards maintaining the cleanliness of the city, they may not comprehensively address the issues of solid waste management. For example, ensuring cleanliness alone may not resolve the issues of increasing waste generation in Kota Kinabalu.

The lack of comprehensive or holistic approaches towards addressing the issue of solid waste management in Kota Kinabalu has indirectly affected the state government to effectively address the solid waste issue. This has led to various environmental issues such as indiscriminate waste dumping, increasing number of waste, foul stench emitting from landfills and potential harmful disease such as leptospirosis.

On a different note, the solid waste management system in Kota Kinabalu may have a positive impact with the commitment shown by the local government in introducing a waste separation guideline. On January 13, 2016, KKCH worked with General Incorporated Association Conference of Earth from Akita in Japan and Japan International Cooperation Agency to develop guidelines for waste separation in Sabah. Through this project, three residential areas, namely Taman Greenview, Taman Jindo and Alam Damai Condominium in Kota Kinabalu, were selected as part of a pilot study to assist the development of waste separation guideline. If this collaboration is successful in creating a waste separation guideline, it may lead to positive impact to the existing solid waste management system in Kota Kinabalu.

Furthermore, the aspiration of the local government in Kota Kinabalu in introducing the waste separation guideline is in line with the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) introduced in Peninsular Malaysia. Through this Act, households residing in the peninsula such as Pahang, Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Perlis and Kedah, as well as Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, were required to sort their wastes from home for recycling purposes starting June 1, 2016.

The probability of such law to be introduced in Kota Kinabalu may become a reality – according to a recent newspaper report, Assistant Minister to Chief Minister Arifin Asgali has urged the Sabah state government to take a similar approach as the peninsula by making households’ waste separation compulsory in the state.

By requiring households to separate their wastes, this may help to improve the lifespan of the existing landfill in Kayu Madang, Telipok where the majority of wastes collected from the area of Kota Kinabalu city is being disposed of. Wastes that have been separated will be recycled and not simply dumped into the landfill.

In addition, by introducing a mandatory waste separation law, it may also help the state to resolve the issues of solid waste management holistically or comprehensively.

It is important to address the issues of solid waste management comprehensively as each element is interrelated towards a sustainable solid waste management system. – February 12, 2019.

* Haidy Henry Dusim reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.