Take up composting to reduce waste, residents told

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SIBU: The volume of solid waste disposed into the Kemuyang landfill here soared with durian husks forming the bulk of it.

Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) secretary Hii Chang Kee, who revealed this yesterday, explained that the higher volume was due to the fruit season.

To rekindle the local populace enthusiasm to reduce waste generation and green up the urban environment, he suggested locals take up household composting by turning their kitchen leftovers, including fruit skins, into compost which they can use as fertilisers.

“Members of the public, who have a backyard or flower beds, can perhaps use the Takakura Home Method Composting (THMC) which focuses on simplicity and low production cost in converting organic waste into good compost,” Hii told The Borneo Post.

He added that people should make it a point to do household composting year round and not just during fruit seasons to help lengthen the lifespan of the landfill.

That aside, he disclosed that the council collected leftover vegetables and fruit skins from Sibu Central Market daily.

“The organic waste would later be brought to our green compost centre in Seng Ling Road for composting. The compost would be given away during talks or workshops,” he said.

Asked if durian husks could be used for composting, he was uncertain as items needed to be broken down into smaller pieces for composting.

Among others, he called on the people to segregate recyclable items such as newspapers, magazines, books and papers, and put them at one corner of their house. “When they have reached a sizeable volume, bring them to Sibu Kidney Foundation (SKF), churches or other centres for recycling and not dump them into the rubbish bins.”

Hii went on to say that they had initiated the programme on waste segregation, where recyclable items would be separated and kept for collection on every 15th day of the month.

“We have started in several areas, namely Pulau Li Hua, police headquarters, Taman Li Hua, Taman Seduan and Bukit areas. Our lorries will go door-to-door to collect during this time.

“Neighbourhood committees in other places wishing to initiate such programme for their residents can contact the council,” he enthused, recalling that the programme was initiated in 2010.

“All the initiatives are meant to bring down the volume of waste and to green up the town.”