SUNDAY STAR, 22 MAY 2016

special

GOING GREEN
By IAN JEROME LEONG

tonnes of domestic waste per

day.

AS a result of rapid development

and booming economic drivers
in the last two decades, Malaysia
has experienced high levels of
urbanisation across its states and
federal territories.
The last Population and
Housing Census of Malaysia in
2010 reported the countrys most
densely populated areas per
square kilometre were Kuala
Lumpur (6,891 persons), Penang
(1,490 persons) and Putrajaya
(1,478 persons).
The result of this massive
population growth, however, is
the increased amount of solid
waste generated by households
and businesses, which in turn led
to socioeconomic problems such
as open waste burning, illegal
dumpsites and the realisation
that proper waste management
infrastructure such as landfills,
incinerators and recycling
centres are sorely lacking in the
country.
Among the most alarming of
situations is that Alam Flora
reported 21,270 tonnes of
rubbish were illegally dumped
on roadsides, back alleys,
riverbanks as well as
construction sites in Kuala
Lumpur between 2011 and 2015.

Uphill battle

Organising positive
change

After years of delay, the Solid

Waste Management and Public
Cleanliness Act 2007 (Act 672)
was finally introduced in 2011, to
ensure the uniformity of the law
in relation to the countrys solid
waste and public cleansing
industry in the hopes for a more
sustainable future.
The Act governs licensing,
enforcement, control of solid
waste generators and persons in
possession of controlled solid
waste, reduction and recovery of
controlled solid waste, and the
approval of any construction,
alteration and closure to waste
management facilities.
Upon the implementation of
the Act, the Federal Government
authorised Solid Waste
Management and Public
Cleanliness Corporation (later
renamed SWCorp) to take over
solid waste and public cleansing
management responsibilities that
were previously carried out by
local authorities throughout
peninsular Malaysia.

United effort
While the collection,
management and disposal of
waste in the country is under the
jurisdiction of SWCorp, the
implementation of Act 672 also
affects the general public.
The most prominent change
is the introduction of waste
separation at source that began
in September last year in Kuala
Lumpur, Putrajaya, Johor,
Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Pahang,
Kedah and Perlis.

Cleaning
up our act
Households and businesses
are required to separate their
recyclable waste such as plastic,
glass, paper, metal, fabric and
rubber products from general
household waste such as kitchen
scraps or leftover food.
This move was seen to address
some of the environmental
problems faced by the country,
such as reducing the amount of
waste that was being sent to
available landfills that are reaching
full capacity.
Although various recycling
activities were promoted and
undertaken as early as 1993,
Malaysians have been slow to
adopt the recycling lifestyle.

The lack of enforcement within

these areas has also exacerbated
the problem.
Starting next month (June 1),
households that do not comply
with the waste disposal procedures
can be fined.
If enforced, this fine may do
much in encouraging the public to
comply with the waste separation
regulations.
Looking at more developed
countries with advanced waste
disposal systems and processes, it
is hoped that waste separation at
its source will increase the
recycling rate of Malaysia an
important factor as cities such as
Kuala Lumpur generate up to 2,500

According to Ravindran
Raman Kutty, an advocate for
environmental issues in
Malaysia and an experienced
columnist who has been
featured in various publications,
Much more needs to be done in
the two most fundamental
aspects of education and
enforcement.
He says a bombardment of
recycling messages is needed for
people to learn that what they
throw away is a serious matter
and that waste separation
involves all sectors of society,
including every member of the
household and businesses such
as corporations, food truck
operators and hawker stall
owners.
SWCorp must make a
stronger effort through
mainstream and online media
to inform, educate and
communicate to the public. In
addition, they should engage
with the people that matter,
says Ravindran.
He gives the example that
there is not one book about
waste management being taught
in schools and as school children
will grow to become influential
leaders, it is important to
educate them from a young age
so that they make green and
environmentally friendly choices
inadvertently ensuring a more
sustainable future for the
country.
While Malaysia continues to
strive to become a developed
country, we are however falling
short on the environmental
front.
The implementation of
procedures such as waste
separation is a good start
towards a greener outcome
but this is far from being a
sustainable solution.
It is crucial that all citizens
recognise that they cannot
depend on SWCorp, large
corporations or the Government
to carry out environmentally
friendly activities, as a green
Malaysia is only achievable
when there is collaborative
effort from everyone.

Helpful links
FROM Sept 1 last year, all premises in Kuala
Lumpur, Putrajaya, Johor, Malacca, Negri
Sembilan, Pahang, Kedah and Perlis were
required to practise waste separation at source.
This enforcement will be increased starting
next month, as households caught not separating
their waste will face a fine.
Here are some useful websites should you need
more information on how to separate your waste
and the governing body.
l www.kpkt.gov.my/separationatsource/en/
l www.swcorp.gov.my

SUNDAY STAR, 22 MAY 2016

2 going green

EACH generation of Nissan Serena

S-Hybrid has adhered to being
spacious, flexible and comfortable.
As a high-quality eight-seater
family MPV, Nissan Serena
S-Hybrid outperformed its
competitors in Malaysia, winning
the MPV of the Year award at the
NST-Maybank Car Of The Year 2015
awards.
With the revolutionary S-Hybrid
system, the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid
is equipped with Nissan's MR20DD
direct-injection and Twin
Continuously Variable valve
Timing Control (CVTC) engine,
which delivers enhanced
performance with a smooth
response that is exciting yet quiet
and refined.
The engine and XTRONIC
CVT (Continuously Variable
Transmission) performs efficiently
to achieve high torque at low
engine speeds, provides less
accelerator pressure, produces
better fuel economy and less
emission.
In addition, the CVT gearbox
allows for effortless, smooth gear
changes and better driving
experience.
The Nissan Serena S-Hybrid is
also equipped with the following
technologies:
l ECO mode function and smartrev control system to maintain
constant engine revolutions to
maximise fuel efficiency
l Kinetic energy generated from
the wheels braking is converted to

The new Nissan Serena S-Hybrid boasts exceptional fuel economy.

Enjoy ample space and versatility with the new Nissan

Serena S-Hybrid.

Fuel-efficient technology
electric energy to recharge the
S-Hybrid electric motors
l The Idling Start-Stop System
(ISS) automatically switches off
the engine when the vehicle
comes to a stop in traffic, and
starts again within 0.3 seconds
after the brake pedal is released
(through assistance from the ECO
Motor with Torque Assist
Function), allowing the New
Serena S-Hybrid to achieve fuel

economy that is best in its class

15.2km/L (JC08 mode).
The ECO matre is adopted to
show current driving conditions
and has three alternative displays
instant fuel consumption display,
which shows instant and average
fuel consumption; eco drive
navigator, which shows
appropriate acceleration conditions
based on the vehicle's speed; and

idling stop timer, which easily

identifies how long the ISS has
been functioning.
The New Serena S-Hybrid also
offers 14-seat configurations,
setting it apart from conventional
MPVs. Its unique "central
walkthrough" arrangement draws
the whole family closer,
emphasising its spaciousness and
versatility.
Thanks to Nissan's latest

S-Hybrid system and smart

features, the new Serena S-Hybrid
is environmentally friendly and
fuel-efficient.
The Nissan Serena S-Hybrid.
Your Ultimate Family Car.

n For more information,

customers can call Nissan
Customer Care Line Toll FREE
line at 1800 883 838 or visit
www.nissan.com.my.

SUNDAY STAR, 22 MAY 2016

going green 3

Switch on
with style
ALL homes with electricity are equipped
with switches, sockets and circuit breakers
but these are not as trivial as you think.
Schneider Electric offers exceptional
levels of reliability and innovative products
that are easy for homeowners to use.
Switches are often located at eye level
and can become eye sores if they do not
match the overall interior design.
Schneider Electrics switches and sockets
boast attractive designs that come in
different colours, materials and finishes to
fit various design concepts.
Why be contented to conform when a
little extra attention to detail can go a long
way to making you stand out?
Originally created as a control terminal
for the intelligent home system, the NEO
switches is a popular award-winning series
that redefines wall decorations with its
superb range of switches and sockets.
With unconventional horizontal
orientations, groundbreaking use of LED,
first white-on-white fluorescent locaters in
the market, Cyber-chic silver and grey tones,
there are many reasons NEO switches are

(From left) Schneider

Electrics NEO, ZENcelo
and Pieno switches
come in a range of
colours and designs to
enhance your homes
appearance.

the choice for forward-looking metropolitans.

ZENcelo switches, with the patented
Impress mechanism, enables
electromechanical switches to achieve the
same full-flat form design to give a slim
profile at an affordable price.
ZENcelo also features a clever mechanical
device called Ondicator to tell if the switch is
turned on or off.
Pushing the boundaries of switch design by
maximising the jumbo dolly with slim edges,
Pieno maintains an overall slim profile,
despite the jumbo dolly, due to the innovative
SS Mechanism and patented PerfectFace
Switch Architecture.
These two innovations also enable quick
and high-quality installations on any wall
surface. In addition to the existing white and
lavender silver colours, Pieno is available
now in wine gold.

n For more information, call Schneider

Electrics customer care at 1800 880 877 or
visit www.sereply.com to download a switches
brochure. You stand a chance to win a XiaoMi
Mi4i Smartphone (keycode: 57336M).

Innovate
for better
future
UNIVERSITI Putra Malaysia (UPM) is one of
the leading research universities in Malaysia
and continuously seeks innovative ways to
accelerate the use of green technologies to
protect the ecosystem.
To achieve this, UPM undertakes a lot of
ongoing research and innovations to create
a better place for humanity.
The Biobased Nano-emulsion of Rotenone
was designed by Prof Dr Dzolkhifli Omar for
safe, sustainable and effective pest control.
This technology involves a plant-based
active ingredient derived from Derris that
can be used as an alternative insecticide.
This plant-based formulation reduces the
usage of surfactant but increases the safety
and effectiveness of the active ingredient.
The toxicity of rotenone against insect
pests is better than the currently available
potent conventional organic-based
insecticides and it is suitable to be used in
organic farming.
In the field of engineering, Prof Dr Mohd
Zobir Hussein invented the nano-encapsuled
organic phase change material (OPCM) to
overcome the liquid leakage and lowthermal conductivity problem in PCM
materials.
This technology can be used to reduce
energy consumption of buildings and

The Biobased Nanoemulsion of Rotenone.

maintain internal building comfort.

The Biomass Microwave Carbonizer
(BMWC), an invention by Prof Dr Azni Idris,
offers clean technology and applies
microwave-assisted pyrolysis to burn
biomass wastes into biochar using an
efficient and rapid process.
This process is 50% faster than
conventional pyrolysis. The biochar
produced is a charcoal-like material that
gives less smoke, is high in calorific value
and lower in volatile content. It is a
sustainable solid fuel, giving lower emission.
Dr Mahnaz M. Abdi invented an optical
sensor of polypyrrole-chitosan to monitor
toxic metal ions.
This technology enables detections of
heavy metal ions at a lower concentration
with less interference.
The optical sensor is portable and suitable
for in situ field monitoring. Operation and
handling of this sensor does not require any
special knowledge of chemical testing and it
is user-friendly.

n For more information, visit

www.sciencepark.upm.edu.my.

SUNDAY STAR, 22 MAY 2016

4 going green

ADVANCES in building technology

have made most residential and
office buildings air-tight to better
withstand elements such as rain
and strong wind. They are also
meant to reduce power costs
related to air conditioning.
However, air-tight buildings also
trap air pollutants inside and no
fresh air can come in. As indoor air
is simply recirculated, it can be two
to five times more polluted than
the air outside. In some cases,
indoor air can be up to 50 times
more polluted.
Pollution can be caused by a
number of sources gas stoves,
building materials and furniture,
carpet, household cleaning
products, personal care supplies,
dust, air fresheners or pesticides.
These sources release liquid, gas
or minute particles into the air
where they can remain for
extended periods of time,
triggering asthma and other

Greener indoor living

bacteria, dust, moulds, animal
dander and mites. These pollutants
can cause allergies and infections.
These poor air quality conditions
can cause both immediate and
long-term effects to our health,
termed sick building syndrome.
The immediate effects include
irritated eyes, nose and throat,
headaches, dizziness and fatigue.
Poor air conditions can also
contribute to humidifier fever,
asthma and hypersensitivity
pneumonitis.
Long-term effects, including
respiratory diseases, may not show
up until years after exposure or
after long, repeated periods of
exposure.
Homes and offices with no
natural air ventilation need an air
treatment system that can kill
germs, eliminate chemical
pollutants, and eradicate smoke,
dust, mist, bad odour, bacteria, and

respiratory conditions due to the

irritation these substances cause to
the lungs.
Some pollution sources also
contribute to high levels of volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) in the
home, which can cause eye and
respiratory tract irritation,
headaches, dizziness, visual
disorders and possible memory
impairment.
Studies have found that VOCs
are common in the indoor
environment and their levels can
be 10 to thousands of times higher
inside than out.
VOCs are chemicals that
evaporate into the air at room
temperature. These chemicals are
used in many building materials,
interior furnishings, textiles, office
equipment, cleaners, personal care
supplies and pesticides.
Biological pollutants that affect
indoor air quality include pollen,

mould spores. The good news is

that such technology is now
available in Malaysia.
Shinoe Tech Sdn Bhd recently
introduced a patented technology
called Shinoe Purification System
that effectively addresses the
problems of poor indoor air quality
by treating the air through a threestep process of purification,
sterilisation and sanitation.
This patented product is a
complete system for mechanical
ventilation, air treatment and even
lighting necessary to meet the
indoor air quality requirements of
todays urban environment. It
restores vitality to the indoor air,
says Kenny Khor, managing
director of Shinoe Group of
Companies.
The internal components of the
Shinoe Purification System include
a Shinoe Filtration System, a UVC
(shortwave ultraviolet) germicidal

Symptoms of indoor air pollution

1

2
Worsening asthma,
allergies and other
respiratory problems

3
Headaches
and nausea

Shortness of
breath

5
Sinus congestion,
sneezing and
cough

6
Eye, skin, nose
and throat
irritations

Memory loss,
dizziness, fatigue
and depression

It is important to address potential indoor air quality problems. If left untreated, air quality issues can have a
detrimental impact on our health. Research shows that people are now spending as much as 90% of their time
indoors; if the indoor air is polluted, this could pose a significant health risk.

system, and STI (Shinoe Tech

ioniser) that eradicates up to 98%
of smoke, dust, mist, odour,
bacteria and mould spores in
residential homes.
The product does not require
elaborate ductwork or expensive
installation and can remove wet or
dry particulates.
Because it recirculates clean
indoor air, less energy is required
compared with cooling air using
exhaust fans or ducted mechanical
exhausts.
The other technology, called the
Shinoe-Kleanland ESP Series, is
equipped with Electrostatic
Precipitator (ESP) technology for
commercial kitchen exhaust
purification systems.
It is an electronic filter with
more than 90% efficiency for
removing cooking oil mist and
smoke in the exhaust system.
This product is certified by
MyHIJAU under Greentech
Malaysia, which is an organisation
under the purview of Ministry of
Energy, Green Technology and
Water. The technology is also
certified by authorities in
Singapore.

n For more information,

call 03-8021 7155/7255 or
visit www.shinoegroup.com.