By Pang Swee Lei
“Waste not, want not.”
This saying rings especially true today as we face a mounting problem with how we handle our trash. Every single day, we generate an astonishing amount of waste, driven primarily by rapid urbanisation, and also our ever-increasing consumption habits. In fact, according to data from the World Bank, annual waste production has skyrocketed to a staggering two billion tonnes!
For decades, landfills have been the most pervasive conventional answer to our garbage disposal challenges. In Malaysia alone, an average of about 38,000 metric tonnes of solid waste is sent to more than 100 landfills every day. Yet in reality, these outdated practices do more harm than good. The flawed notion of “out of sight, out of mind” and “not in my backyard” when it comes to landfills has only worsened our waste crisis where most, if not all, of Malaysia’s landfills will reach full capacity by 2050, leaving us with no space for solid waste disposal.
While governments can enact regulations and enforcement, continuously promote recycling programmes, and transition towards a more sustainable and circular economic model, I strongly believe that universities are an important key in championing sustainable practices and innovations due to their position as hubs of education, research, reach, impact influence.
Also imperative is the presence of the younger generation who shall and will continue to be in the forefront of societal change. The generation of the future are more environmentally conscious, socially impacted, and very much aware of the pressing challenges we face in waste management and sustainability. They will be leading the future.
Environmentally friendly policies and practices
Universities are significant consumers in their own right. They purchase a wide range of goods and services, from office supplies to construction materials and catering services. As major purchasers, universities can leverage their purchasing power to create market demand for environmentally friendly products. By adopting sustainable procurement practices, universities can practically lead the call to markets that sustainability matters, thus making a positive impact. This impact can also cascade to the suppliers and vendors (such as SMEs) who can then naturally transition to sustainable practices as well.
In addition to green procurement practices, I believe that universities across countries have exhibited remarkable proactivity in their pursuit of sustainability. Notably, recycling programmes, waste segregations, and composting activities stand tall as sterling examples of their commitment to minimise waste and preserving precious resources.
It is undeniable that these endeavours represent significant strides, yet the pursuit of excellence in waste management must persist. In my opinion, universities should remain steadfast in their dedication to exploring game-changing and innovative solutions, transcending existing boundaries to elevate their waste management practices to new levels.
An example of such an innovative solution involves a technology designed to address waste challenges sustainably is this game-changing innovation, the Asher, that advocates and offers a practical and immediate-impact sustainable approach to reducing and eliminating waste at its source. With its environmentally-friendly technology, the Asher can transform both organic and non-organic waste into reusable ash, which holds potential for applications in construction, structural industries, and agriculture.
When universities integrate such technologies into their practices, they showcase a proactive commitment to resource management and sustainability. It also unlocks possibilities for sustainable utilisation, making universities pivotal pioneers in responsible waste management practices. This signifies a dedication to curbing ecological impacts and propelling climate initiatives forward. In doing so, universities not only drive innovation but also highlight the profitable and socially responsible aspects of environmental stewardship to global communities. It also means the universities become living laboratories of innovation, where they inspire communities worldwide, demonstrating profitability and social responsibility of environmental stewardship.
Students today, green-inspired leaders tomorrow
As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, the demand for professionals with green skills is on the rise. Fields like energy efficiency, realistic, practical, and effective waste management solutions, and sustainable transportation require a new generation of professionals who possess the knowledge, expertise, and new realisation to drive positive change.
To meet the needs of the future and empower graduates with essential expertise, Malaysian universities must swiftly adapt their curricula by integrating pertinent and practical subjects and programs. These graduates could potentially one day become influential leaders, corporate pioneers, designers, engineers, and decision-makers, who can wield the power to impact the environment directly and indirectly. It is imperative to expose the students early, and equip them with experience, knowledge and skills that are effectively applicable and relevant, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for the country and beyond.
As the essence behind the invention and implementation of The Asher at the universities is instilled in university students, a profound realization dawns upon them – the power lies within every individual to safeguard Mother Nature, preserving its pristine beauty for generations yet to come. Embracing this spirit in their hands-on research, they awaken to the inherent self-responsibility we all bear in taking practical and meaningful actions, striving to keep the world a clean, bright, and beautiful place. Their hearts are touched, and with newfound realisation and determination, they embark on a journey to be champions of the environment, united in a collective mission to create a brighter and more beautiful future for all. This involvement hopefully underscores an essential truth: for them to recognise their potential in safeguarding the environment.
Synergy of machinery, collaboration, and sustainability
Though universities can certainly improve their practices on their own campuses, their true potential lies in their ability to catalyse wider societal transitions. Collaboration among universities, industry, government, civil society, and citizens, leveraging their unique knowledge and resources, creates an optimal environment for fostering innovative and equitable solutions in waste management.
As a strong advocate for sustainability and effective waste management, I firmly believe that joining forces and sharing expertise holds the key to addressing the challenges posed by the ever-growing amount of waste. Cross-sector collaboration serves as the bedrock for cultivating sustainable strategies that yield benefits for society at large. By pooling our efforts, we can work towards developing more machines designed to address the issue at its source, akin to the approach exemplified by The Asher, to tackle the broader waste challenge effectively. This kind of cross-sector collaboration is essential to achieving the scale and sustained impact we need to see. We at Pamarai are certainly open and eager to foster and facilitate such collaborations and urge universities to heed our call and collectively inspire a new generation of environmentally conscious individuals who will drive transformative, practical, and effective actions and pave the way for a cleaner, greener and brighter future.
Pang Swee Lei is co-founder/executive director of Pamarai Sdn Bhd
