The United Nations Conference on “Environment and Development” in 1992, held in Rio de Janeiro, recognised the close relationship between environmental quality and human health. As a result, environmental quality has become one of the conference’s key themes. In Agenda 21 of the Rio Conference, programmes to achieve sustainable development were emphasised and the first principle of the Rio Declaration states that sustainable development can only be achieved by ensuring the right to a healthy life while preserving the environment.
The scope of environmental protection and public health is generally interconnected to achieve effective environmental health. In this regard, environmental health is a key sector for public health and nature, impacting human health to prevent the spread of diseases and create a conducive environment.
Human activity has significantly altered the composition of the earth’s atmosphere, contributing to global warming, which is a major threat to public health. Global warming has led to numerous deaths and disease outbreak through natural disasters such as heatwaves, floods and drought. Many of these outbreaks were critical due to their sensitivity to temperature changes and rainfall distribution. This issue is expected to further deteriorate in future. Therefore, concerted efforts by all stakeholders are needed to address current issues affecting environmental health.
The solid waste management sector is one of the areas contributing to global warming and can negatively impact public health if not managed properly. Solid waste disposal has been identified as a major source of methane emissions and water and soil pollution, which indirectly pose risk to public health.
Landfills used to dispose of solid waste must be designed, constructed and managed in a sanitary manner to control and deal with pollution to prevent environmental harm. As such, solid waste disposal at unauthorised sites, other than designated landfills, must be prevented and fully regulated.
Recognising this fact, KPKT and SWCorp have carried out operations to eradicate illegal waste disposal sites. This action is in line with Yang Berhormat Minister of KPKT’s objective to close down all illegal waste disposal locations.
This effort is seen as proactive action in combating the existence of illegal waste locations. It also demonstrates the seriousness and commitment of upper management of KPKT and SWCorp to address the issue of illegal waste locations for the wellbeing of all Malaysians.
Definition
The definitions adopted to eradicate illegal waste disposal sites are as follows:
“Illegal waste” means:
a) Solid waste disposed of at locations or sites that are not permitted or gazetted and may be removed using lorries or machinery.
b) Solid waste disposed of or collected or dumped amounting to more than two (2) tonnes at each location.
“Illegal waste disposal site” means:
a) Unauthorised or non-gazetted landfills
b) Solid waste disposed of, collected or dumped at a location, which exceeds ten (10) tonnes.
“Solid waste” means:
a) Any scrap material or unwanted surplus resulting from any process;
b) Any material requiring disposal due to being broken, worn, contaminated, or otherwise damaged; or
c) Any other material according to Act 672 or any written law to be disposed of by the authorities, but does not include scheduled waste as described under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 [Act 127], sewage as defined in the Water Services Industry Act 2006 [Act 655], or radioactive waste as defined in the Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984 [Act 304].
“Illegal Waste Disposal Site or Location” refers to any site or area that is unauthorised or not gazetted but used for disposing or dumping of solid waste.
“Local Authority” is defined as indicated under the Local Government Act 1976 [Act 171].
“Appointed Company or Party” refers to a business entity appointed by the State Authority/Local Authority.
“Panel Company” refers to a business entity appointed specifically to perform designated tasks and may be instructed to carry out work at any time.