Geocycle celebrates 10th anniversary with int’l conference on waste management

By Shabiya Ali Ahlam

Celebrating 10 years of involvement in the removal of waste while ensuring no environmental liability is left for the generations to come, Geocycle, the waste management arm of Holcim (Lanka) Ltd., hosted the first international conference on waste management in Colombo last week under the theme ‘Towards a Waste Free Sri Lanka’.

Facilitated by top industry personalities, the full day event attended by over 450 professionals across diverse sectors featured 10 technical sessions on waste management practices.

With Minister for Environment and Renewable Energy Susil Premajayanth attending the inaugural session as the Chief Guest, invited to speak on the current scenario of waste management in the country was Secretary to the Ministry of Environment and Renewable Energy B.M.U.D. Basnayake and Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information Charitha Herath. Attending on behalf of the Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishard Bathiudeen, who was to be the Guest of Honour for the event, was Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Asitha Seneviratne.

Presenting the organisation’s vision towards a waste-free Sri Lanka, Holcim (Lanka) CEO Phillipe Richart stated that Geocycle’s operations over the past decade have slowly but steadily transformed into its line of actions.

“Starting off small in 2003, Geocycle has developed into a professional service which many other industries depend on to reduce their corporate footprint,” he said. Richart pointed that by using the triple bottom approach of people, planet and profit; the company is making a “big difference in Asia” as it has over 300 multinational and local clients interested in its effective waste management systems.

Waste management crisis in Sri Lanka

Giving a gist of the waste management crisis in Sri Lanka, Basnayake noted that with ongoing development of the country and the increase in population, “it is clear that environmental management is yet to be addressed efficiently”.

He said that difficulties in finding suitable lands for waste disposal, lack of technical knowledge, and financial restrictions are the main problems faced by the local authorities, and added that the increase in complaints from the public with this regard confirms the situation.

Basnayake shared that in order to provide technical and financial support to local authorities, the President has allocated a sum of Rs. 5 million for a period of five years. In addition to this, he said the Ministry has identified four sites in the areas of Kandy, Anuradhapura, Panadura, and Hikkaduwa to introduce methods for sanitary waste disposals.

Premajayanth highlighted that despite many measures taken by the Government previously, the inability to indentify successful waste management systems caused all efforts to fail. Stating that a silent debate among the public is taking place regarding who should take responsibility for the existing waste crisis, he said.

“It is the Government’s and the general public’s responsibility as both have contributed to the mountains of rubbish that is decaying in various regions.” “Since all had a hand in creating the issue, let us all extend a hand to address it by simply doing our part,” Premjayanth added.

Severe consequences

Seneviratne stressed the consequences of hazardous waste resulting from rapid development of infrastructure and industries will be severe if formulations of proper strategies do not take place. Recognising that proper management of hazardous waste would require investments in new technologies, he said that more Public Private Partnerships (PPP), similar to that of Geocycle and the Ministry of Environment, would have to be established.

Highlighting the role of media to change the attitude the public in waste management, Herath said that while inefficiencies of certain companies and local authorities are captured, “active involvement of institutions that help rectify the prevailing waste management issues should be brought to limelight so that others are encouraged to do the same”.

He added that along with the environmental authorities, the media should take up the role of educating the public on good waste management practices as it has the capability of reaching the entire nation.

Pix by Lasantha Kumara