Capacity in Green Projects

A friend I knew not long ago told me his take about local authorities. He approached a local authority in Klang Valley recently to introduce the concept of turning used cooking oil to biofuel. He made a presentation and answered most of the queries raised. He was made to understand the Council was impressed and accepted in principle the proposal. However, after some time and was pushed to move around, he ended up of many promises without a firm "yes". He later walked in a school to make a presentation to the principal and was told to come back next day and he did. To his surprise, he was in front of the principal, teachers, members of Board of Directors and Committee Members of the Teachers and Parents Association for the presentation. After listening to him, they decided on the spot to partner him for the used cooking oil collection and the project is on going now, for a merely 1 month time since presentation to its' implementation. He, now have reservation about the effectiveness of decision making and will of implementation by the local authorities on environmental-friendly programmes. He reckoned that it might due to the understanding and capacity of local authorities on green projects. Many might have mistakenly considered planting trees and shrups as the only green initiatives undertaken by the local authorities. Many might have not think about initiatives having long term and far reaching but indirect impact on the routine and scope of works of the local authorities. For example, we might have planted the trees and grasses for asthetic value without looking at the functional value. Similarly, we want to put in more parking bays for catering to the need of vehicle owners and to increase the collection but not knowing that more hard surface with concrete will reduce the function of ground to absorb the water runoff during heavy down pour. We do not mind to see traders to use unfriendly containers and utensils even though knowing that it is not friendly to the environment and will increase the cost of management, may be not from the pocket of the local authorities, but general public have to bear the cost of remedying the damage. It reminds me on the importance of improving the capacity and understanding of the staff of local authorities. As the frontier service and solution provider, it is good to have done it right from the beginning rather than fire fighting later.

Organic Waste Composting

The first organic waste composting centre would be operationalised in Jalan Othman Market, Petaling Jaya in a week time. The Centre with 2 tonnes capacity will handle about 40% of total organic waste generated daily from this wet market. The organic waste will be converted to compost fertiliser within 24 hours time, making it feasible and possible to be established in the urban setting with physical space constraint and negative perception on degradable waste. The partnership between the City Council of Petaling Jaya and a private firm with no financial capital outlay and requirement for daily operation and maintenance making it possible for the pilot project be implemented. The expenditure for constructing the Centre, the procurement of machine, workforce and utilities bills are to be footed by the firm. It is a private-public partnership in effective solid waste management and 3R concept in practice. By turning the waste into compost within the market compound will not only helping in solving problem of excessive waste generated at source, but also help in reducing the cost of management as well as the reduction in carbon emission. It is achieved from the production of methane gas at landfill and also fuel burn generated from lorry trips commute from PJ to landfill. At the end of the day, oeration cost of the Council will be reduced. The quote "environmental friendly can be profitable" is in practice...