Expert: Handling of solid waste very poor

 THE management of solid municipal waste in the country is very poor and needs improvement, a local expert says.

Waste-to-energy engineer Thompson Benguma said the current practice of landfilling municipal solid wastes in towns and cities in the country is obsolete and is no longer the best method of managing waste.

Benguma said that was because the landfilling method affects the environment and raise health concerns.

He said the incineration and burning of waste releases chemical elements such as Poly-Chlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP), which include dioxins and furans that can contribute to climate change and global warming,was dangerous. 

The Lae-based engineer supported the call by the National Capital District Commission waste division manager Joshua Sam for a national waste management policy to be developed. 

Sam last Tuesday said the Environment Act 2000 focuses only on the waste management of extractive industries and does not cater for domestic and municipal wastes. 

“Waste, which has been generally regarded as a bad thing, is really a blessing in disguise,” Benguma said.

“It can be converted into syngas for power generation and aggregate material for road and building construction,” Benguma said.

He said he was willing to assist in the drafting of a comprehensive national waste management policy.

He said the policy would reflect the latest trends in population growth, urbanisation, industrialisation and waste management technologies.  

“Both Lae and Port Moresby can generate 100 megawatts of cheap green energy while generating millions of kina in revenue from waste,” Benguma said.