KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is considering a pilot project for waste disposal using reactors.
Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam said the proposal would see the project conducted in Papar, Sandakan and Tawau.
"We will have a pilot project where trash will not have to be segregated.
"By compacting and putting trash into a reactor, we can dispose of it hygienically. It is green technology.
"This is only a suggestion. We need to sign the contract (with the companies). It is just a pilot project. If it is successful, it can be implemented in whole districts in Sabah," he said during a press conference after launching the Ministry's I-Hijau festival at the Sabah International Convention Centre here.
Dr Joachim, who is also the deputy chief minister, said that although he encouraged the move towards waste segregation initiatives, it was not the right time to make it compulsory.
He added that if a law on waste segregation was passed, the state government would need to provide suitable garbage bins for the public.
He said there were many people who were not keen on the practise.
The same goes for making it a law for housing developers to comply with the Green Building Index (GBI) criteria for their premises.
"The Uniform Building by-law has urged developers to fulfil the GBI (criteria). But if we strictly follow what is being recommended by the Federal Government, it will not be easy.
"If it were to be made compulsory, the cost would be too high for us (to bear). But when the time comes, we want to make it compulsory."
Earlier, Dr Joachim said efforts to address climate change needed to be implemented in an integrated and balanced manner.
He added that responsibility should be shared by all parties to ensure the sustainability of current and future generations.
"We believe the key to solving the climate crisis lies in reducing emissions and transforming society to preserve the environment.
"We need to take a more comprehensive approach. For example, integrating smart city design elements like pedestrian and cycling networks, green-oriented road systems and transportation.
"Among the green concepts being referred to are sustainable digitisation and green components in the use of solar lighting systems, rainwater harvesting systems, permeable paving materials and the implementation of the 5 R's (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle).
"Moreover, green financing and investments for sustainable and climate-friendly development projects, including public-private partnerships, are highly necessary."
Present were Sabah state secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong, Local Government Development Assistant Minister II Datuk Mohamad Hamsan Awang Supain and permanent secretary Datuk Dr Jamili Nais.