Latest news with #Environmental
Borneo Post
21 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
3R waste technology to rehabilitate Sandakan landfill
Davina SANDAKAN (July 22): Sandakan is set to make a leap forward in sustainable waste management with the launch of Sabah's first landfill rehabilitation project using globally patented 3R technology. IGNIS SG (Sabah) Sdn Bhd has officially signed a 12-year concession agreement, with an option to extend for another eight years, with the Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS). The agreement allows the company to rehabilitate the long-overdue Sungai Sibuga solid waste landfill, often referred to as a dead landfill. IGNIS SG Executive Director Dr Davina Marcus said the initiative addresses the mounting waste management challenges faced by Sandakan. 'This is something I've planned for a long time. I've seen with my own eyes how landfill sites are growing into mountains of unmanaged waste. The space keeps expanding, and I believe it's time for a new solution, one that tackles the problem and contributes to environmental sustainability without adding to the waste pile,' she said. Speaking during the launch of the Sungai Sibuga Landfill Rehabilitation Project on Tuesday, Davina said IGNIS SG has been given exclusive rights to develop and implement the rehabilitation works using IGNIS 3R technology, patented globally by its parent company, Ignis Environment Initiatives Sdn Bhd. 'This project will not only resolve long-standing waste disposal issues but also drive Sandakan towards green transformation,' she said. According to Davina, the IGNIS 3R system offers a comprehensive, non-incineration and non-toxic treatment process, supporting Malaysia's Net-Zero Emission 2050 target and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles. 'The technology enables processing of buried waste without prior segregation, using a closed-loop zero waste-to-landfill approach. It also allows for land recovery for future use, and the extraction of reusable materials from old waste.' She further explained that the project is fully funded under a Private Financing Initiative (PFI) by IGNIS SG (Sabah) Sdn Bhd, with support from EXIM Bank Malaysia, without financial backing from the state government or local authorities. 'This shows the financial sector's confidence in the project's viability and the effectiveness of IGNIS 3R technology on a commercial scale,' she added. Currently, the project is in its initial implementation phase, with site works and mobilisation of IGNIS 3R machinery underway. The Sandakan 3R Waste Rehabilitation Project is expected to be physically completed by July 2026. 'My hopes for this landfill project are very high. I want this to inspire others to commit to protecting the environment and freeing up landfill capacity that's becoming increasingly saturated with waste. 'I also hope this project will help reduce public health risks linked to environmental pollution, add value through land reuse, and contribute towards improving Sandakan's image as a city,' Davina said.
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Bali to ban production of plastic sachets in 2026
A fisherman pulls his boat out to sea on March 20, 2024, across waste that covers much of Kedonganan Beach in Badung, Bali. Kedonganan is one of Bali's beaches most polluted with plastic materials. - Photo: Antara file BALI, (Indonesia): The Bali provincial administration plans to ban the production of small plastic packaging, or sachets, starting in 2026 as a response to suggestions from environmentalists after banning the production of under-1-liter bottled water. 'I support it fully. This has been through studies on the small-size sachets, whether it [the ban] will be decided this year or next year [in 2026],' Bali Vice Governor I Nyoman Giri Prasta said in Denpasar on Tuesday, as quoted by Giri said the provincial administration was still focusing on the ban of bottled water first. He added there was a possibility that a ban on other plastic packaging would come in 2026. 'We have discussed this, there will be a decision later,' he said. The former Badung regency head said that Bali Governor Wayan Koster was very wise in banning plastic packaging. The decision would still allow French company Danone to use up the bottled water production that has already been distributed. 'It means being visionary, [so that] our descendants [can] see Bali clean and green,' the politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle said. Previously, the Nusantara River Research Agency (BRUIN) suggested that Koster also target other plastic packaging, not only banning bottled water. BRUIN coordinator for waste census, Muhammad Kholif Basyaiban, said the Bali provincial administration had to refer to Law No. 18/2008 on Waste Management, which stipulates the responsibility of producers in waste processing. There are also other regulations such as Environmental and Forestry Ministerial Decree No. 75/2019. 'The reference for circulars, government regulation, provincial bylaws and gubernatorial regulations is the Waste Management Law and the ministerial decree, which do not discriminate certain [kinds of] plastic waste but all kinds of plastics,' Kholif said in a written statement on Monday. In 2024, Bali produced 1.2 million tonnes of plastic waste, according to the National Waste Management Information System. Plastic fairness Separately, two bottled water producers in Bali expressed objections to the ban on producing and distributing bottled water in containers less than 1 liter as stipulated by Bali Gubernatorial Circular No. 9/2025 on Clean Bali Movement. 'Environmental conservation policy in Bali is indeed important [and] urgent but cannot be applied unilaterally without a dialogue mechanism and legal protection for local businesses,' CV Tirta Taman Bali president director I Gde Wiradhitya Samuhata said on Monday. Wiradhitya said the objection was accompanied by the company's official stance and legal analysis on the gubernatorial circular. 'We have compiled a juridical analysis and will send the official stance to the Aspadin [Indonesian Bottled Water Association] central executive board in Jakarta as a constructive contribution to manage the relations between businesses, customary society and regional policy,' he said, as quoted by Antara news agency. He revealed that Balinese bottled water companies considered customary villages not only as partners but the soul of their businesses. He also agreed with environmental conservation efforts but said the solution should focus on waste management instead of banning plastic packaging production. He said the Bali administration should shift from symbolic banning to reform the waste management system based on recycling incentives, public education and producers' responsibilities. Meanwhile, president director of PT Tirta Mumbul Jaya Abadi, Nyoman Arta Widyana, said that instead of only banning bottled water under 1 liter, the provincial administration should also ban all plastic packaging to be fair. 'For example, when we want to buy cooking oil, sugar, coffee and candy, all these items use plastic. But it seems that only we [bottled water producers] are blamed for causing plastic waste,' he said. Arta said it was not fair if the problem of plastic waste was only blamed on bottled water producers when they already used PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles and PP (polypropylene) cups which could be easily recycled. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
Malaysian Reserve
5 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Godrej Industries Group to host Global Healthy Workplace Summit & Awards
Partners with The Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces & Arogya World, to host Global Healthy Workplace Summit & Awards. This highly coveted event is envisaged to ignite conversations around new standards in workplace wellness and felicitate leading organisations from India and around the world for their sustained focus on employee health & wellbeing. The Global Healthy Workplace Summit & Awards event is scheduled for November 20 & 21, 2025 MUMBAI, India, July 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Godrej Industries Group has partnered with The Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces (GCHW) and Arogya World, to host a two-day Global Healthy Workplace Summit & Awards event, at Godrej One, Mumbai, to address India's and the world's growing healthcare challenges. The Global Healthy Workplace Summit & Awards is being organised in India for the first time on November 20-21, 2025, and will bring together international leaders, healthcare experts, industry bodies, policymakers, and organizations to explore cutting-edge strategies for promoting employee health and wellbeing. The conference is being curated in partnership with Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces and Arogya World, a non-profit, increasingly recognized as the force behind workplace health in India. Building on the learnings of previous Arogya World summits in India, such as navigating the future of work, integrating artificial intelligence into workplace wellness, and aligning ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals with health-centric practices, this year's summit aims to set new global standards in workplace wellness. The Summit will showcase India's leading companies invested in employee health and well-being and also reveal 2025's Healthiest Workplaces in the world. With a strong focus on non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention, mental health support, and the integration of wellness into organizational culture, the 2025 Summit will address the distinct health challenges and opportunities around the world and within the Indian workplace context. The conference will also spotlight evidence-based corporate wellness initiatives and best practices around Arogya World's MyThali nutrition program, Lifestyle Coach training program, and Tobacco-Free Workplace strategies. Commenting on the opportunity to host the summit, Ajay Bhatt, Group Head Corporate Services, Godrej Industries Group, said, 'At Godrej Industries Group, we have always promoted the need for platforms and engagements that foster health and well-being beyond traditional practices. Partnering with The Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces and Arogya World resonates with our culture of supporting healthy workplaces. We endeavour to inspire Corporate India to adopt strategies that are forward-thinking, prioritize holistic employee well-being and address their unique complexities in today's rapidly evolving workplaces.' Barry Crisp, Marketing and Communications Director at the Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces, said, 'This is a unique time for employee wellbeing. Hosting our 13th Global Healthy Workplace Awards & Summit in Mumbai, alongside Arogya World and Godrej Industries Group, is a powerful opportunity to share global best practices and foster a culture of health. We believe that 'Good Health is Good Business,' and this Summit reinforces our mission to make workplace wellbeing a global priority across all sectors and regions.' Arogya World's Chief of Programs, Ms Srabani Banerjee, said, 'Committed to holistic employee well-being, we, at Arogya World, empower organisations to embrace a data driven culture of health, by helping them embed employee wellness into their core business strategy and thereby institutionalise more socially responsible practices. We are very excited to partner with Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces & Godrej Industries Group, and advance this dialogue to the global centerstage.' These engaging collaborations will offer a dynamic platform for sharing best practices, understanding of emerging trends, and drive meaningful initiatives at workplaces spanning health policies and practices. About Godrej Industries Group: The Godrej Industries Group (GIG) serves 1.1 billion consumers, globally, across businesses in diverse industries, including consumer products, real estate, agriculture, financial services, and chemicals. Godrej was founded in 1897 to help build economic independence for India. We are committed to growing and strengthening this legacy of innovation for a cause, building for a more sustainable future, while placing our planet and people alongside profit. GIG houses several rapidly growing businesses that are the leaders in their respective categories. Godrej Consumer Products (GCPL) is an emerging markets FMCG leader in Home and Personal Care, with a growing presence in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Godrej Properties (GPL) is India's leading real estate developer by sales and brings the Godrej philosophy of innovation, sustainability, and excellence to the real estate industry. Godrej Agrovet's (GAVL) portfolio businesses address key challenges faced by Indian agriculture, improving the productivity of Indian farmers through innovative products and services that sustainably increase crop and livestock yields. Godrej Industries (Chemicals), the group's oldest business, is India's leading manufacturer of oleochemicals and surfactants. Godrej Fund Management (GFM) is the real estate private equity arm of the group. Godrej Capital (GC), the newest company in the group, is a fast-growing financial services business. For more information on the Company, please log on to About Arogya World: At Arogya World, we champion a high-impact, doorstep health model that delivers preventive care where people live, learn, and work. By combining scientific rigor with scalable delivery, our high impact program implementation makes preventive health accessible, personal, and actionable. Our core mission is NCD prevention, addressing diseases like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and chronic lung conditions that are overwhelming India's healthcare systems. We've already reached 19 million people by 2024. With strong momentum, we are on track to reach 50 million in the next 3–5 years, proving that prevention can be both scalable and sustainable. For more information on our programs, please log on to About The Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces: The Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces (GCHW) champions a unified global response to workplace health, recognising that 'Good Health is Good Business.' Since its founding in 2012, GCHW has been at the forefront of promoting healthier, more productive working environments through shared learning, recognition, and the replication of best practices. Its mission is to support employers and employees of all sizes and sectors in achieving sustainable and equitable health outcomes. Over the past decade, GCHW has hosted 12 Global Summits across nine countries, conducted regional seminars and international roundtables, and overseen the prestigious Global Healthy Workplace Awards. With over 370 award applications from six continents and 25 companies achieving global certification, GCHW continues to lead efforts in driving innovation, resilience, and collaboration in workplace wellbeing worldwide. For more information, please visit Logo: View original content:
Scoop
5 days ago
- Science
- Scoop
Partnership PhDs Will Deliver Solutions For Communities
Twelve UC Connect Doctoral scholarships have been launched to address gaps in knowledge across economic, social and environmental sustainability - from wastewater treatment and improving health policy, to designing better buildings for Pacific communities. Co-funded by Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) and local partners, each scholarship is tailored to meet specific sector needs, ensuring that postgraduate research outcomes translate into meaningful, real-world impact. 'This is a win-win partnership,' UC Tumu Tuarua Rangahau | Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation Professor Lucy Johnston says. 'Our PhD candidates gain hands-on experience while conducting research that addresses urgent, practical challenges and makes a difference for communities. At the same time, our partners benefit from robust, evidence-based solutions.' The partnership model is the future of research, Professor Johnston believes. 'By working together, we are supporting the next generation of experts to complete their qualifications and get a jumpstart on their careers, while helping our communities and industries to thrive.' UC Connect Doctoral scholarship recipients will conduct their research on current sustainability challenges in a real-world environment, while developing transferable industry skills and professional networks. Each scholarship includes full tuition, and an annual stipend for three years jointly funded by UC and the partner organisation. UC is committed to undertaking research that has a positive impact locally and globally and to working with local partners. Organisations that are interested in discussing a UC Connect Doctoral scholarship partnership or other research opportunities at UC are welcome to contact the team to discuss research ideas and needs - email dvcresearchinnovation@ Ranked in the top 100 universities worldwide for sustainability, UC has embedded sustainability into qualifications across all disciplines and offers a range of sustainability-focused degrees including the Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability and the Bachelor of Environmental Science. UC Connect Doctoral scholarships: Exploring the benefits of cultural immersion in environmental and experiential education UC school: School of Earth & Environmental Sciences Partner: Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke Performance of Waste-sourced Treatment Media for Enhancing Stormwater Treatment Outcomes UC school: Civil and Environmental Engineering Partner: Christchurch City Council Modelling sludge accumulation, degradation and distribution processes in highly loaded wastewater treatment ponds and associated impacts on greenhouse gas emissions and midge control. UC school: Civil and Environmental Engineering Partner: Christchurch City Council Development and Validation of a Novel Cored Mass Timber Panel for Resilient Construction in the Pacific UC school: School of Forestry Partner: Adhesive Technologies NZ Ltd Climate-Proof Energy System Planning and Operation UC school: Civil and Environmental Engineering Partner: Open Energy Transition Assessment of biodiverse vegetation cover options to future-proof stopbanks in Aotearoa New Zealand UC school: Civil and Environmental Engineering Partner: Christchurch City Council High capacity cryocooler UC school: Mechanical Engineering Partner: Fabrum Sustainable isolation of integral membrane proteins using 3D-printed monolith columns. UC school: School of Biological Sciences Partner: Precision Chromatography Limited (PCL) Nature-based solutions for Marae onsite wastewater treatment: process resilience and cultural integration of the Wairewa system. UC school: Civil and Environmental Engineering Partner: Ngāi Tahu Investigating Earthquake-Induced Pressure Transients in Hydropower Penstocks and Pressure Tunnels UC school: Mechanical Engineering Partner: ReGenerateNZ Ltd. (Re-Generate) Designing Embodied Virtual Agents to Enable Equitable Access to Therapeutic Exercises and Enhanced Wellbeing UC school: School of Product Design Partner: JIX Limited (JIX) UC school: School of Mathematics and Statistics
Observer
6 days ago
- Observer
Efforts in full swing to protect tourist sites in Dhofar: EA
SALALAH: As Dhofar welcomes thousands of visitors for the 2025 Khareef season, the Environment Authority has launched a timely initiative aimed at preserving the region's natural beauty. Under the banner of 'Environmental Protectors', the campaign seeks to strengthen awareness and encourage shared responsibility for protecting the governorate's rich ecosystems during the busy tourism period. The initiative, spearheaded by the General Directorate of Environment in Dhofar, reflects the growing need to balance tourism growth with environmental preservation. With the surge in seasonal footfall, particularly in natural and heritage sites, pressure on local ecosystems has intensified. Engineer Zahran Al Abdulsalam, Acting Director General of Environment in Dhofar Governorate, said the initiative is about more than enforcement — it's about cultivating a culture of environmental respect. 'Khareef is a vital season for Dhofar's economy and identity,' he said. 'But it also brings challenges to the natural environment. The 'Environmental Protectors' initiative was designed to ensure that visitors can enjoy the beauty of Dhofar without compromising its ecological integrity.' As part of the campaign, four specialised supervisory teams have been assigned to assist existing environmental units in Salalah, Taqah, and Mirbat, as well as other key areas. These teams will patrol major tourist and natural sites, monitor compliance with environmental laws, and raise awareness among the public. Al Abdulsalam underscored that success depends on collective action. 'Preserving Dhofar's environment is not the sole duty of government institutions. Visitors, residents, civil society groups — all of us must be partners in this mission.' He added that the initiative supports Oman's wider commitment to sustainable development, as outlined in Vision 2040. By embedding environmental values into tourism practices, the campaign aspires to make sustainability a shared priority — not just for today, but for generations to come. The 'Environmental Protectors' initiative will run throughout the Khareef season, serving as a model for how environmental responsibility can enhance, rather than hinder, the visitor experience.
