(Kuching, 26th) The “turning waste into wealth” concept has enabled Sarawak’s palm oil industry to convert waste into biofuel, organic fertilizer, biogas, and activated carbon, aligning with the objectives of the Resource Sustainability and Waste Management Bill 2025.
Serembu state assemblyman Datuk Miro Simu pointed out that the palm oil industry has successfully transformed various wastes into high value-added products, which fits the core spirit of the bill in viewing waste as a resource to generate income through recycling and energy production.
He said: “This innovative approach not only reduces waste and environmental impact, but also creates entirely new revenue sources for the palm oil industry, while promoting the development of a circular economy.
“Through the ‘turning waste into wealth’ concept, we can create a more sustainable future, reducing waste and bringing economic benefits to society.” He made these remarks yesterday during the 19th Sarawak State Assembly meeting while debating the Resource Sustainability and Waste Management Bill 2025.
He noted that wastes such as empty fruit bunches (EFB) can be processed into biomass pellets or briquettes to be used as biofuel replacing coal, thus reducing reliance on non-renewable energy.
“In addition, by-products such as palm shells, palm kernels, palm kernel expeller, and palm decanter cake are rich in protein, and are widely used worldwide as animal feed, thereby effectively reducing waste,” he explained.
He also shared that palm oil mill effluent (POME) can be treated with natural microorganisms and aquatic plants to produce clean energy and treated water, which can be used for agriculture and organic fertilizer production.
“This technology has already been widely used in Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia and will be introduced to Sarawak through the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA),” he said.
He also pointed out that palm oil waste processed through torrefaction (limited oxygen heating) can be made into activated carbon, which is widely used to filter pollutants in water and air, and can also be made into biochar to improve agricultural soil quality.
He added that according to records, Malaysia produced about 75 million tons of dry biomass annually in 2020.
“At a value of RM200 to RM1000 per ton, the potential revenue from waste could reach RM10 billion to RM15 billion per year.
“The actual figure may be even higher. Based on biomass quantity and its potential per-ton value, this is a colossal economic opportunity worth tens of billions of ringgit annually,” he said.
At the same time, he emphasized that to ensure successful implementation, the government, private sector, and the people must work hand in hand to formulate sustainable waste management policies and ensure orderly execution, as is currently being done with the drafting of this bill.
“The government should also encourage private sector investment in recycling technology and related infrastructure by providing various forms of support including tax incentives, land, and other necessary investment facilities,” he added.
He pointed out that his examples so far only cover the palm oil industry and do not yet include the waste from other sectors, which may also hold equal potential.
“This concept has already contributed billions of ringgit to the economy and created thousands of jobs for our people.
“Therefore, the introduction of this bill is very timely. If it can be implemented in an orderly and systematic manner, the potential future revenue will be even greater, further enhancing the state government’s income,” he said.
Serembu state assemblyman Datuk Miro Simu pointed out that the palm oil industry has successfully transformed various wastes into high value-added products, which fits the core spirit of the bill in viewing waste as a resource to generate income through recycling and energy production.
“Through the ‘turning waste into wealth’ concept, we can create a more sustainable future, reducing waste and bringing economic benefits to society.” He made these remarks yesterday during the 19th Sarawak State Assembly meeting while debating the Resource Sustainability and Waste Management Bill 2025.
He noted that wastes such as empty fruit bunches (EFB) can be processed into biomass pellets or briquettes to be used as biofuel replacing coal, thus reducing reliance on non-renewable energy.
“In addition, by-products such as palm shells, palm kernels, palm kernel expeller, and palm decanter cake are rich in protein, and are widely used worldwide as animal feed, thereby effectively reducing waste,” he explained.
He also shared that palm oil mill effluent (POME) can be treated with natural microorganisms and aquatic plants to produce clean energy and treated water, which can be used for agriculture and organic fertilizer production.
“This technology has already been widely used in Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia and will be introduced to Sarawak through the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA),” he said.
He also pointed out that palm oil waste processed through torrefaction (limited oxygen heating) can be made into activated carbon, which is widely used to filter pollutants in water and air, and can also be made into biochar to improve agricultural soil quality.
He added that according to records, Malaysia produced about 75 million tons of dry biomass annually in 2020.
“At a value of RM200 to RM1000 per ton, the potential revenue from waste could reach RM10 billion to RM15 billion per year.
“The actual figure may be even higher. Based on biomass quantity and its potential per-ton value, this is a colossal economic opportunity worth tens of billions of ringgit annually,” he said.
At the same time, he emphasized that to ensure successful implementation, the government, private sector, and the people must work hand in hand to formulate sustainable waste management policies and ensure orderly execution, as is currently being done with the drafting of this bill.
“The government should also encourage private sector investment in recycling technology and related infrastructure by providing various forms of support including tax incentives, land, and other necessary investment facilities,” he added.
He pointed out that his examples so far only cover the palm oil industry and do not yet include the waste from other sectors, which may also hold equal potential.
“This concept has already contributed billions of ringgit to the economy and created thousands of jobs for our people.
“Therefore, the introduction of this bill is very timely. If it can be implemented in an orderly and systematic manner, the potential future revenue will be even greater, further enhancing the state government’s income,” he said.