There is a pressing demand for effective waste management solutions as the population in the country steadily increases. Worldwide Holdings Bhd (WHB), through its subsidiary Worldwide Entech Sdn Bhd (Entech) (formerly known as Worldwide Landfills Sdn Bhd), plays a key role in the implementation of innovative strategies to address this issue, while being committed to environmental sustainability to minimise its carbon footprint.

Entech is no new kid on the block. Commencing operations in 1995, the company has since achieved various milestones, including being the first domestic waste engineered sanitary landfill, the first inert waste landfill, the first landfill gas power plant to export electricity to the national grid and the first dumpsite to be converted into a sanitary landfill.

“When we started, no company wanted to venture into the waste management business. It was unpopular. Given the industry landscape at the time, it gave us a competitive advantage to create many industry firsts and have pioneer status in the spectrum of waste management at the national level,” says Datin Paduka Norazlina Zakaria, Group CEO of WHB and Executive Director of Entech.

“Despite the hiccups and challenges, given our vast exposure and experience managing all these milestone projects as well as addressing the waste management crisis in Selangor, our three-decade journey is a great achievement for WHB and has solidified our position as the waste management leader in Malaysia.”

As the market becomes more competitive, Entech relies on its decades of expertise to design tailored waste management strategies for its clients. The company has developed an in-depth understanding of waste streams, industrial waste and hazardous waste.

Entech has also been instrumental in developing sustainable waste management solutions in Selangor. In line with this, the company is developing integrated solid waste management centres (ISWMCs) that focus on sustainability.

Entech has 87% waste management disposal market share in Selangor and 24% in the country. As the most developed state in Malaysia, Selangor has first-class infrastructure and facilities. Therefore, exploring the best waste management disposal methods and technology for the state is a necessity, not a choice, asserts Norazlina.

This is because Entech is transitioning from conventional landfill management to holistic waste management, which focuses on the circular economy and sustainability. The emphasis would be on reducing one’s environmental footprint and optimising elements of recovery.

Entech was also recently awarded for excellent facility management, recognised for its Ayer Hitam landfill park by the Waste Management Association of Malaysia (WMAM). The landfill park is the first such facility in Malaysia, in which the closed landfill has been transformed into a recreational park.

“Being the most developed state and the richest, the Selangor government has been at the forefront of waste management in Malaysia. Its proactive approach has allowed Entech to become a pioneer and leader in waste management solutions,” says Norazlina.

“Selangor, being the most populous and industrialised state in the country, generates a significant portion of Malaysia’s waste. Therefore, it requires advanced, efficient and sustainable waste management strategies.

“The state’s leadership in waste management has evolved through a combination of policymaking, public-private partnerships, technological investments and the development of in-house expertise.”

While Entech’s foray into waste management began with engineered sanitary landfills, the company recognised the need for more sustainable and efficient solutions as the country’s population and urbanisation rate increased. This is why Entech shifted its focus to waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies. It is working on three facilities, with the WTE facility in Jeram touted to be the largest in Malaysia.

“Malaysia, especially Selangor, faces scarcity of land due to urbanisation. Reducing the need for new landfill sites will contribute to land optimisation. WTE reduces the strain on Malaysia’s limited landfill capacity, extends the lifespan of existing sites and prevents the creation of new landfills,” says Norazlina.

“Currently, all our WTE projects are in the pipeline. On other WTE solutions, we have successfully implemented the landfill gas power plants in Air Hitam, Puchong and Jeram, with a total installed capacity of 7.8mw.”

By converting waste to energy, the waste is diverted from landfills and land resources are conserved, she says. WTE facilities also reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional landfill practices and supply renewable energy to the grid.

This is because traditional landfills produce a significant amount of methane. Therefore, by diverting waste from landfills and processing it in WTE plants, Entech is able to reduce methane emissions. Moreover, the combustion process in WTE plants is highly regulated to minimise emissions of other pollutants through the use of air pollution control systems.

“The WTE facilities in Jeram and Kuala Langat will reduce the volume of waste to landfill by up to 90%. Less waste will go to the landfill, thus extending the lifespan of the landfill. Waste generation in Selangor is growing and increasing over time,” says Norazlina.

“WTE solutions are an integral part of Entech’s broader strategy to support a circular economy. By recovering energy from waste, the company closes the loop in the waste management cycle, ensuring that waste is treated as a valuable resource rather than a burden to be disposed of.”

Furthermore, Entech’s WTE facilities will convert municipal solid waste and other non-recyclable materials into energy, which is used to generate electricity and heat, she says. This provides a renewable energy source.

The WTE facilities aim to increase the share of renewable energy in the national grid and reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.

“This energy is considered renewable because it harnesses materials that would otherwise go to waste. Entech’s WTE solutions contribute to providing a clean and consistent energy source that helps diversify the country’s energy portfolio. Generating energy supports the Selangor government in meeting its renewable energy mix target,” says Norazlina.

“WHB has a dedicated renewable energy division that is equally active and busy positioning itself as a significant RE player. We kicked off the RE business by venturing into hydro power by acquiring a small hydro plant in Sungai Kerling. Now, we are poised to move into a bigger capacity by venturing into solar and exploring other renewable energy potentials such as battery energy storage systems and hydrogen.”

Meanwhile, Entech conducts community meetings, open forums and public consultations to listen to concerns and share information on upcoming projects, she says. This allows local residents to express their views, ask questions and understand the environmental and economic benefits of waste management solutions.

“Entech ensures transparency by sharing information on the environmental impact of its projects, including emissions data and compliance with regulations. It ensures that issues related to air quality, health and environmental safety are addressed promptly,” she adds.

Entech has embraced digitalisation to enhance its operations and improve efficiency. This is done by implementing a centralised data system that enables real-time monitoring and analysis of various processes. This then allows the company to make data-driven decisions, process automation and conduct environmental monitoring.

For example, its ISWMCs will be fully digitised and utilise the Internet of Things (IoT) to ensure efficient and seamless operations, says Norazlina. The use of IoT will lead to the optimisation of the cost of operations.

Furthermore, as a state-owned company, a collaborative approach is adopted to achieve a balance of advancing technology without posing a financial burden on the Selangor government, says Norazlina.

On the whole, Entech’s integrated solid waste management approach involves a combination of technologies and facilities to ensure the efficient and sustainable treatment of waste, says Norazlina. To achieve this, the company’s centralised waste management centres incorporate WTE, landfills, material recovery facilities and other technologies.

It is important to note that while landfills are still used for certain types of waste, WHB’s landfills are designed to minimise environmental impact and incorporate modern technologies for gas capture and leachate treatment.

“ISWMCs adopt a leachate recovery system to minimise water consumption and leachate discharge. The ISWMCs also recover all possible recoverable materials like ashes to ensure minimum disposal to the landfill,” she says.

Entech also adheres to the Environmental Quality Act and other regulations governing waste disposal and operations of ISWMCs, she adds. The company conducts regular environmental audits and continuously monitors its operations to ensure compliance with emissions and discharge standards.

Entech aims to align with Malaysia’s national sustainability goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energy and conserving land resources.

“As a WTE player, Entech is well positioned to make significant contributions to the circular economic goals of KPKT (Ministry of Housing and Local Government). Entech is poised to play a crucial role in reducing waste and environmental impact, promoting renewable energy and resource efficiency, driving socioeconomic growth and innovation, and enhancing social well-being and public awareness,” says Norazlina.

“The integration of various efforts, measures and initiatives towards long-term waste management solutions in the country has aligned us with the National Circular Economy Council’s efforts.”

Entech has implemented several measures to minimise the environmental impact of its landfill operations. This is done by converting methane emissions from landfills into electricity, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and processing leachate, a contaminated liquid produced in landfills, before it is discharged.

The company also employs advanced monitoring systems to track emissions, discharge and other environmental parameters. Its closed loop system for waste management ensures that materials are recycled and repurposed to minimise waste disposal.

Entech has actively contributed to the development of waste management regulation and policies in Malaysia, says Norazlina. This was achieved through its involvement in industry associations and government initiatives.

This can be strengthened with strong government leadership in committing to sustainable policies, she points out. For instance, the Selangor government should develop and implement comprehensive waste management plans with strict enforcement on environmental regulations to ensure compliance and prevent instances of illegal dumping.

Norazlina recognises the importance of engaging and educating the public and industries on sustainable waste management practices. This can be conducted through field trips to the waste management sites, collaborations with educational institutions for research and development and information sharing at exhibitions.

Public awareness and participation are essential to drive sustainable waste management practices, she reiterates. Individuals can contribute to a circular economy by reducing waste, recycling and composting as well as supporting sustainable businesses.

Additionally, Entech is committed to fostering innovation and capacity building within the organisation. Thus, the company invests in training and development programmes to equip its staff with the skills and knowledge needed to manage complex waste management projects.

“Entech will continue to play a leadership role in the transformation of the waste management industry in Malaysia. I believe with our three decades of experience, we will not only align with the national sustainability objectives but also position Entech as a responsible and forward-thinking company in the waste management industry,” says Norazlina.