THE main landfill at Kayu Madang in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah is nearing full capacity, prompting urgent action on solid waste management in the city and surrounding areas.
Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) Solid Waste Management Department director Leong Tze Fui said the council was focusing on separation at source as a key strategy to extend the landfill’s lifespan.
The strategy formed part of DBKK’s plan to improve solid waste management, especially among city residents and food vendors, he added.
“This programme is designed to separate compostable and recyclable waste. We’ll provide guidance before it rolls out, starting by raising awareness about the importance of sorting waste at source.
“Right now, vendors are not separating their waste at all. Food vendors are urged to start doing so and avoid dumping everything into the bin,” he told Bernama.
Leong said systematic waste management would ease landfill pressure, turn recyclables into raw materials and convert compostable waste into organic fertiliser, supporting environmental sustainability.
Managing solid waste at source was crucial as the Kayu Madang landfill, the city’s only site, which also handles waste from neighbouring districts, was nearing the end of its lifespan, he added.
“We only have one landfill at Kayu Madang and its lifespan will shrink if no recovery measures are put in place.
“Recyclables should be separated rather than sent to the landfill and compostable waste should be turned into fertiliser,” he said.
Leong said the Kayu Madang landfill, in operation since 1997, was now in its final phase, and without a solid waste separation programme, recoverable resources were being wasted.
He added that the waste separation programme had yet to be fully enforced, due to challenges faced by both vendors and DBKK in providing sufficient collection facilities.
Leong said separating waste at source, particularly food waste, required prompt disposal to prevent odours, so DBKK must provide proper facilities and set regular collection schedules.
“The waste separation at source initiative is expected to start next year, while this year focuses on review, updates and educational efforts for stakeholders,” he added.
