PUTRAJAYA: A National Circular Economy Council has been established to accelerate the transition of solid waste management from a linear economy to a holistic circular economy.
Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming, who made the announcement at a press conference here on Thursday (Sept 7), said the council was approved at the Aug 23 Cabinet meeting and would be a high-impact initiative for the country.
"The transition to a circular economy can optimise the life cycle of products and increase the use of resources to reduce the amount of waste produced,” he said.
According to Nga, waste management based on a linear economy, in which raw materials are used to make a product that is then discarded at a landfill after use, has an environmental impact in addition to depleting resources and is unsustainable.
He said the council would focus on six elements to support the circular economy ecosystem, including developing markets and demand for recycled materials and designing products that can optimise their life cycle through reuse, recycling and environmental friendliness.
"Focus will also be given to promoting the segregation of waste at source and improving the solid waste collection system, providing infrastructure facilities and appropriate incentives, developing an integrated data system and creating a public, private and community collaboration platform,” he said.
Nga also said that his ministry was drawing up a blueprint as the primary reference for stakeholders, and the council would be responsible for coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the action plan.
He said a circular economy approach to solid waste management also has the potential to boost community economic activities by creating new business opportunities when the demand and market for recycled goods increase.
"More employment opportunities will also be created in the circular economy value chain, such as in design, recycling activities and remanufacturing,” he said.
Nga said that in 2015, the waste cycle rate was only 15% and has since increased to 33.17%, while the National Solid Waste Management Department has set a target of 40% by 2025.
"We are still below par and have yet to achieve the international benchmark, which is between 60% and 70%; therefore, we want to expedite the implementation of this initiative, and we need everyone to come aboard,” he added. – Bernama
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