Curtin Malaysia student-led project supporting solid waste management efforts in Miri city

Miri – 19 January 2021 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) students have initiated a year-long solid waste management project with support from the University’s Faculty of Engineering and Science, as well as growing support from the local community, since September 2020.

The ‘Smart World Sustainability’ (SWS) project team consists of students from different study disciplines who are passionate about environmental conservation and sustainability.

The aim of the project is to create a sustainable collection network for segregated solid wastes such as plastic and paper through the development of innovative digital solutions to supplement the existing solid waste management system in Miri.

The project’s scope covers waste collection, separation and transportation to partnering recycling centres and facilities run by the local authorities. It also aims to promote awareness of sustainable and responsible management of solid wastes and participation by various businesses, institutions and the public in the initiative.

According to the project manager, final-year chemical engineering student Paul Tinotenda Nyamtowo, the motivation behind the project stemmed from observation of the state of the environment and issues regarding environmental protection and sustainability.

He said improperly disposed of plastic and paper – especially plastic – are the main causes of environmental degradation and climate change as far as municipal solid waste is concerned.

“Something needs to be done, especially by the younger generation, to secure and assure a sustainable tomorrow. Through this project, we hope to spark mass attention, movement and engagement in all matters regarding environmental sustainable practises and systems by first taking a lead in managing solid waste that we generate daily,” said Paul.

Three SWS project team members, Rebekah Min Majoy, Alexandra Jacklya and Michael Luke Ho Gwanjie, attended a dialogue session with Miri City Council (MCC) last year to discuss possible collaboration with MCC, as well as to gain insights and exchange ideas concerning solid waste management, recycling and environmental sustainability in Miri city.

During the dialogue session, the SWS project team learned that MCC works in line with the nation’s commitment to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are part of the world body’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda).

Several issues and challenges concerning city-wide solid waste management were also discussed. Among them, a lack of awareness and compliance by the general public remain the biggest challenges to the implementation of various solid waste management approaches by MCC, such as the ongoing ‘No Plastic Bag’ campaign. Thus, the SWS project team is ready to collaborate with MCC to support and develop a culture of sustainability and environmental protection in the city.

Besides MCC, the SWS project team has received expressions of interest to participate in the project from businesses and institutions such as Bintang Megamall, Coco Cabana and Knewton Global Schools and is looking forward to wider support from the community.

Head of the Chemical Engineering Department at Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science, Dr. Stephanie Chan, and senior lecturer Dr. Lau Shiew Wei, who are advisors to the SWS project team, expressed pride in the students and their project. They said it is a good opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and skills for the betterment of the community in terms of solid waste management and environmental sustainability.

The SWS project team welcomes opportunities for partnership and collaboration from interested parties and can be contacted by email at WasteManagement@curtin.edu.my. The team can also be found on Facebook (Smart World Sustainability Solid Waste Management project), Instagram (swastemproject) and LinkedIn (smart world sustainability project).

SWS project team members posing for group photo with MCC representatives during dialogue session.