PUTRAJAYA: After 25 years of establishment, Alam Flora Sdn Bhd (Alam Flora) is taking a step further to put Malaysia's solid waste management practices on par with developed countries, by going beyond waste management.
This is being done through a number of initiatives involving waste diversion and recovery, which include the use of modern technology in solid waste treatment.
Its chief executive officer, Datuk Mohd Zain Hassan, said Alam Flora is now on the right track to improving aspects of sustainable living and environmental care, in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This is also in line with the country's National Cleanliness Policy and the National Community Policy which clearly outline initiatives that set to transform Malaysia into a clean and sustainable nation.
At the beginning of its establishment in 1995, Alam Flora was selected to inject new life into solid waste collection and public cleaning services.
Along with current developments, Alam Flora continues to improve solid waste management systems by benchmarking the systems of developed countries in Europe such as Germany and Sweden, as well as Japan. The company is also given more space to implement a systematic and uniform way of working in all areas under its management, namely in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, as well as Pahang.
Alam Flora has also adopted digital technology in its day-to-day operations, for example by monitoring its operating vehicles to enable the provision of more efficient and effective services, as well as reduce fuel waste which can reduce their carbon footprint.
It has also gone a step further with the establishment of a subsidiary, Alam Flora Environmental Solutions Sdn Bhd (AFES) which will continue to explore the field of environmental sustainability and comprehensive facility management to equip Alam Flora as a leader in environmental management in the country, especially in helping to create a sustainable world for the future generation to inherit.
Zain said the main purpose of the establishment of AFES was to provide comprehensive environmental solutions in the country.
Among them are improving solid waste management facilities, providing more comprehensive scheduled waste management and more environmentally friendly, conducive and efficient facility management.
Armed with a highly skilled and committed workforce, as well as the use of the latest technology, AFES has successfully rehabilitated and upgraded government-owned incinerator plants in Cameron Highlands and Pangkor Island.
AFES has also introduced several technologies to resolve various issues related to solid waste management and treatment. For example, Black Soldier Fly technology, Anaerobic Digester, Plastic-to-fuel, Landfill Gas Extraction and systematic waste segregation.
"Apart from that, we also treat leachate which is dangerous and toxic so as not to endanger humans, wildlife and the environment," Zain said.
To improve the efficiency of environmental management in the port industry, AFES established the very first Port Reception Facilities (PRF) in Malaysia.
Such facilities provide waste reception facilities at ports, ensuring that waste generated by ships is not discharged directly into the sea, in line with the rules of the MARPOL international convention adopted by the Malaysian government.
This waste will be identified before it is reprocessed as new materials such as lubricants used in the manufacturing industry.
AFES also provides holistic facility management services with the latest technology development such as Computerized Maintenance Monitoring System (CMMS), Condition Base Maintenance (CBM) and Centralized Monitoring System (CEMOS) to ensure all facilities and building infrastructure operate at optimum levels.
Alam Flora has developed an Integrated Recycling Facility (IRF) to reduce waste disposal at landfills, especially in helping to meet the government's goal of reducing recyclable waste sent to the landfills to 40 per cent by 2025, through the concept of circular economy.
"This is the practice of developed countries that we are trying to implement in Malaysia to include recycling activities in our waste management.
"For example, through our Eco Green facility, waste from the process of felling or pruning no longer needs to be taken to landfills. Instead it is recycled into wood chips and pallets for use in the furniture industry or as a source of fuel for the manufacturing industry in the country," Zain said.
"We are always exploring the development of the latest new technology that can be used by the country in solving the problem of solid waste management.
"We are committed to protecting the environment in line with the aspirations of the government in realising the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations by 2030." he explained.
Fasiliti Inovasi Kitar Semula (FIKS) in Precinct 5 here, the only facility of its kind, is one of Alam Flora's commitments in encouraging Malaysians to practise recycling in order to contribute to the reduction of solid waste sent to landfills.
FIKS is also a knowledge centre to provide information to the public, especially students, to learn more about the process of recycling, segregation, waste recovery and also how they can play a role in cultivating this recycling practice.
As a measure to support the Sustainable Development Goals, FIKS not only focuses on the environmental agenda (SDG 13), but also touches on community wellbeing (SDG 11).
Alam Flora also uses a modified seven-tonne truck, equipped with a giant LCD screen called 3R on Wheels (3ROW), which is a mobile collection centre to make it easier for people to send their recycled items without having to go to a recycling centre.
Among 3ROW's focus locations are schools, institutes of higher learning, government and private offices, public areas, as well as selected Petronas stations.
Zain said Malaysians have awareness of waste management but much needs to be improved in comparison with developed countries.
"How many of us today will keep our garbage first without throwing it away indiscriminately if there is no rubbish bin to be found?
"Many people want rubbish bins that 'come' to them and that is why awareness of this matter must always continue.
"It is indeed our job to continue to encourage the public to separate their garbage, instead of the food garbage being thrown into the bins without being separated.
"Have we ever thought that excess food waste that is discarded can actually be recycled to produce compost? At the same time, it can reduce garbage disposal at landfills," he said.
He added that during the 25-year journey of Alam Flora, the improvement of the service is always underlined, but must be supported by effective actions by all parties, including the public, industry players, the Housing and Local Government Ministry, Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) and local authorities.
"We must remember that the effort to maintain cleanliness is a joint effort by all parties and we cannot attribute this responsibility to one side.
"This Earth belongs to us together and there is only one. We did not inherit this Earth from ancestors, but we borrow it from our grandchildren, so we must return it to them in a sustainable condition.
"We have been taking care of it for 25 years and we remain committed towards a sustainable future. We are intensifying our efforts to continue to keep our Earth clean even for another thousand years," he added.