Landfills typically blight a physical landscape, but not if they are managed efficiently so that its methane emissions are harvested as energy, solar panels generate electricity from the rooftops, and carbon credits are generated. For achieving all this and going beyond their duty, Malaysian landfill operator KUB-Berjaya Enviro (KBE) was recognised with the top award at the annual Singapore Environmental Achievement Awards on Thursday.
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The firm, which operates the Bukit Tagar Sanitary Landfill in Selangor, was named the winner of the the CDL Outstanding Singapore Environmental Achievement Award – the first time a Malaysian company has won the award.
It had won the DFS Singapore Environmental Achievement Award in the regional category, and along with two other category winners, were competing for the overall prize.
Jose Raymond, executive director of non-profit Singapore Environment Council, who organised the awards, said at the ceremony held at Conrad Centennial Hotel: “KBE has been exemplary in the way they operate their landfill, going above and beyond the standards set by the Malaysian government. On top of that, they have invested a significant amount of time and resources to develop capabilities in harnessing clean energy and improving their environmental performance.”
The 1,700 acre landfill established a 500-metre buffer zone – not usual for other landfills in Malaysia – and enforced a zero-discharge policy where leachate or liquids from the landfill is treated and closely monitored to ensure no contamination to the surrounding area.
The landfill also harnesses its methane emissions to gas engines and installed solar panels on its roof to generate electricity for the national grid – a model KBE is seeking to replicate across its other plots in Malaysia.
Managing director of KBE, Chock Eng Tah, who expressed surprise at the firm’s win, told the ceremony: “It is already an honour winning the award in the regional category and truly, it is the icing on the cake to walk away with the CDL Outstanding Singapore Environmental Achievement Award.”
“One of the company’s principal objectives is to develop and operate the sanitary landfill with optimal regard to the environment. With our zero-discharge policy for the treated effluent and comprehensive landfill gas management system, we have gone above and beyond what is required of any sanitary landfill in Malaysia,” he added.
KBE was also recognised recently with an award in the renewable energy – on grid category at the Asean Energy Awards last year. Its landfill is the first in Malaysia to be awarded carbon credits issued by the United Nations’ Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Project.
Singapore’s Environment Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who was guest of honour at the event, said the award winners were positive examples of how companies could create sustained value and “find ways to do right and do good while still being economically viable”.
The awards, launched in 1997, recognise Singapore and regional organisations who are committed to environmental and social responsibilities.
The winners for the other five categories for the SEAA 2013 are:
1. Kimberly-Clark Singapore Environmental Achievement Award (Services) -
- Winner: Keppel Land Limited
- Merit Winner: Keppel DHCS Pte Ltd
2. Lee Foundation Singapore Environmental Achievement Award (Public Sector)
- Winner: Institute of Technical Education (ITE)
- Merit Winner: East View Primary School
3. DFS Singapore Environmental Achievement Award (Regional)
- Winner: KUB-Berjaya Enviro Sdn Bhd
4. SEC-Senoko Energy Green Innovation Award (Product)
- Winner: Housing & Development Board (HDB)
5. Setsco Singapore Environmental Achievement Award (Manufacturing)
- Merit Winner: M Metal Pte Ltd
