Nansian about to slip a bundle of newspapers into the recycle bin during the soft launch.

BAU: All residential areas in Bau District will eventually have a centralised garbage collection centre each as a solution to longstanding overflowing landfill issues.

Assistant Minister of Community Services Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie, said this was an initiative of his office, Bau District Council, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the local community. Nansian said this move was necessary as no matter how big dumping grounds were, they would be full eventually if all waste generated were thrown there.

“What we want to do now is set up centralised recycling centres in every area of this district in order to separate the waste for reuse, recycle and compost.

“This way, we should be able to greatly reduce the volume of waste going to landfills. The move will also directly solve the issue of limited capacity at the dumping ground near Kampung Skiyad,” he said at the soft launch of the centralised garbage collection centre at Kampung Apar in Singai on Saturday. Nansian said he would soon invite the Agriculture Department to teach locals on composting techniques.

“It will be very good if everyone had their own composting kit and could turn rotting waste into compost. This is because apart from making their own fertilizers, they are helping to reduce the volume of waste going to the landfill.”
On this matter, he praised members of Kampung Apar Village Development Club, under the leadership of Phil Palmer, for their initiative in setting up a recycle centre in their village.

“We want Bau to become a model district that can effectively reduce its waste through recycle, reuse and compost. But to make it happen, we need the participation of everyone because we cannot do it alone.”

Nansian was also most thankful to CK Yong, a local company from here, for building the recycle centre in Kampung Apar for free.

“Our hope is that the company would also be doing the same in other places after this.”