Greetings GreenYessers,
This proposed Broga incinerator has a $400 million price tag to handle
1,500 TPD. What would the 1.500 TPD Zero Waste Plan look like, and
how much would it cost? Until we can answer that question, we haven't
lived up to our potential. If anyone has the answer, there are some
folks in Malaysia that would like to talk to you...and so would I.
And let's be careful not to fall into that familiar old trap of
creating only end-of-pipe solutions ... that's not Zero Waste, that's
just Maximum Recovery.
Eric Lombardi
Eco-Cycle
(Source: MalaysiaKini)
"Malaysians not gullible customers of incineration salesmen "
Dr Spin
6:35pm Mon Aug 25th, 2003
Now that the release of the Broga
environmental impact assessment report has been delayed until October,
there is an opportunity for those who have not researched the subject
of incinerator feasibility and safety to now do so.
No one would expect every Malaysian resident
or voter to check the international experience regarding incinerators,
but those who make decisions and present cases for and against the
project should surely do so.
In one developed country after another, the
findings have been the same - incineration of municipal waste is
neither economically feasible nor safe.
The claimed benefits and safeguards cannot be
proven while sensible analysis of issues such as toxic waste streams,
site suitability and community risk versus benefits suggests that
there are better and safer options. Waste reduction including zero
waste strategies and recycling are not only options but essential
measures for the future.
In Australia, after years of attempting to
develop the SWERF incinerator technology (Solid Waste to Energy
Recycling Facility), the project was scrapped as being uneconomical as
well as socially and environmentally unacceptable.
The Broga site is particularly unsuitable for
an incinerator as it is in valley among beautiful hills, forest and
water catchment areas and close to a township which is a showpiece of
good environmental care by residents.
No site is really suitable for an incinerator.
However, the fact that the authorities did not select a truly remote
and well-ventilated site - but rather the Broga site which sits too
close to human development and where the massive quantities of water
vapour and waste emissions will not readily disperse - indicates a
grave lack of understanding.
Malaysian do care for the well-being of
themselves and their children. They do not want to be seen a
third-world, ignorant and gullible customer of ruthless and
irresponsible big business.
If Malaysians use the next two months to voice
their concerns, the government may realise that it is not only the
future of residents that is at stake - but also that of the government
and the reputation of Malaysia.