CONSTRUCTION companies have been urged by Exco for Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Phee Boon Poh to take ownership and safeguard the environment.
“We want construction companies to be responsible with regards to the environment by having an efficient waste management.
“A proposal will be sent to the local government to make new guidelines for construction companies pertaining to their projects.
“The guidelines will require construction companies to submit a waste management assessment before commencement of their respective projects,” said Phee during a press conference held at Jen Hotel on July 28.
According to Phee, the waste management assessment would help to estimate the amount of waste that will be generated during the construction period of a particular project and to segregate the types of waste.
“When the types of waste are estimated and segregated, it will help the particular construction company to reuse its waste for the same project.
“How much waste, what are the types of waste and what are they going to do with the waste should be submitted in the assessment report.
“This would prevent the occurrences of illegal dumping and open burning as the waste will be reused.
“And then, when the project commences, we will also check from time to time on their waste management, will ask the service provider (recycling service) to get registered with us so that we can keep track on the waste management activities done at the construction site,” added Phee.
While waiting for the guidelines to be regulated, Phee urged construction companies to take ownership to protect the environment.
“Do not wait until the guidelines are being implemented. You are all professional bodies and it is your duty to protect the environment,” affirmed Phee.
Earlier, Phee attended the Malaysia Green Building Confederation (Malaysia GBC Seminar) Northern Chapter with the theme ‘Construction Waste Management in Penang’.
“The construction industry is considered a major stimulant to the Malaysian economy but it also generates huge amount of waste due to construction activities.
“Construction waste, if it is not properly managed, will bring negative impact to the environment, society and economy.
“Penang will embark towards waste management hierarchy through the enactment of specific construction waste regulations towards the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG),” said Phee during the seminar.
Story & Pix by Tanushalini Moroter