THE Department of
Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRE) is aiming to increase the rate of
recycling in the country to reach 10 per cent by 2015 and upping it to 15 per
cent by 2020.
A research done by the Ministry of Development through JASTRE has found
that each resident in Brunei generated waste of about 1.4kg daily compared to
about 1kg of waste generated by each resident from neighbouring countries in
the region where some even generated waste less than 1kg.
"It is obvious waste generation by residents in this country is
high compared to our neighbouring countries," the Acting Deputy Director
of JASTRE Martinah Hj Tamit highlighted yesterday.
"In addition to a lower waste generation, a number of the
countries in the region reuse and recycle 10-20 per cent of their generated
waste," said Martinah in her speech.
In comparison, Brunei only reuse and recycle the country's waste
generated at an estimated below five per cent only every year.
As such, Martinah said it is time for all to come together to promote
the concept of 3R. "With this, we can achieve our aim to reduce, reuse and
recycle waste at a rate of 10 per cent in 2015 and 15 per cent in 2020,"
said Martinah.
Speaking to the press after presenting 3R recycling bins to the Youth
Centre in the capital yesterday, Martinah said, "This is an ongoing
project to expand 3R to other departments (in government) and whole
country".
"That is our strategic target," said Martinah on the pledge
to increase the rate of recycling in the country.
She noted that Brunei has a waste problem due to its waste generation,
which is the highest in the region. "So we need to (make an) effort to
introduce 3R. What we can do is to tell them to reduce waste," stressed
Martinah.
She also highlighted the initiative to introduce the "No Plastic
Weekend", which is now extended to include Fridays as well.
She noted that one of the highest composition of waste in Brunei are
from plastic bags, and as such, JASTRE is slowly moving to completely ban the
use of plastic bags that will be done phase by phase.
Martinah added that another initiative to increase awareness on 3R is
through establishing eco (environmental) clubs in schools as well as seeking
the cooperation of the private sector to support environmental activities in
the country.
Currently, a number of both public and private primary and secondary
schools have recycling bins in their school compounds, said Martinah.
However, JASTRE continues to face challenge from the community's
attitude towards the concept of 3R. According to Martinah, despite JASTRE's
allocation of recycling bins in public areas, there are some who do not throw
their waste properly accordingly to plastic, papers and cans.
"Even the recycling companies who collect the materials had
problems because they had to segregate the waste," said Martinah.
FUNG SIEW MUN
The Brunei Times
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