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Korindo Group Initiates First Rest Area with Bioconversion Facility in Indonesia

JAKARTA, Feb 7, 2023 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - A bioconversion waste processing facility, which uses the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) as its biological agent, has opened at Cibubur Rest Area, Jakarta. The rest area is managed by Korindo Group subsidiary PT Bimaruna Marga Jaya and is the first in Indonesia to own a waste processing center. The center is designed to tackle daily waste issues in the Rest Area, by temporarily storing and preparing organic waste for recycling. The ceremony served to introduce black soldier fly-based bioconversion technology, which is expected to resolve waste management challenges at other rest areas and public establishments. [Image: Korindo]The Korindo Foundation and Forest For Life Indonesia Foundation (FFLI), together with the Public Works and Housing Ministry of Indonesia, launched the facility on Wednesday (Feb 1). With the stakeholders attending, the ceremony served to introduce black soldier fly-based bioconversion technology, which is expected to resolve waste management challenges at other rest stops and public establishments. Made under the partnership of Korindo Foundation and FFLI Foundation, the plant can handle up to 1 ton of living waste per day. Cibubur Rest Area was picked as the project location, given its position as a waste source that needs urgent solutions. This conversion technique is also applicable to different types of waste sources like traditional markets, industrial zones, offices, and residential areas. "Other than being environmentally beneficial, this facility can offer new economic opportunities. Profits gained from this project will be channeled into community and environmental empowerment programs," explained Robert Seung, chairman of Korindo Foundation. He wished the plant would reach the success of its predecessor, a similar plant with a 4 ton per day waste processing capacity in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.That project was funded by the Korindo Foundation in 2017, with the FFLI teaming up with the local government to monitor its operation until today, one of Lombok's waste disposal prototypes. "These facilities won't be able to run properly without our collaboration with FFLI and support from the local government. That being the case, from the depths of our hearts, we want to thank all parties for the great teamwork," Robert said. He went on to say that through the Foundation, businesses under Korindo Group had truly participated in efforts to bring back the balance in Indonesia's natural environment."Korindo Foundation has directly taken part in environmental preservation projects like Pakansari and Pondok Rajeg city forests and conservation activities in Papua. Through these breakthroughs, we strive to contribute to the local community and the environment," Head of FFLI Dr. Hadi Pasaribu said the plant did not only create a clean, healthy environment to be in and work out waste issues right at its source; it also provided protein, fat, and chitin, restored soil fertility, and played a role in mitigating climate change effects. "The more bioconversion plants we build, the bigger the benefits will be for our environment," he said.Black soldier flies enthusiast Prof. Agus Pakpahan shared a similar sentiment. He pushed for additional bioconversion plants to be built, so waste wouldn't have to be brought into the landfill. This approach established a clean and healthy environment, provided benefits for nature, and created a circular economy. Pakpahan revealed that around 60%-70% of landfill waste was organic, meaning that settling the issue upstream would simplify the entire waste management process. In his statement, he also touched on local people's waste dumping behavior, saying, "Each and every one of us should be able to take care of our own waste," said Pakpahan. Bioconversion with black soldier flies is a biological approach to manmade environmental problems that bases itself on the notion that nature is created in harmony and balance. The technology offers a way out of excessive living waste. It is relatively safe for the surrounding area and community. Of all 800 fly species on earth, the black soldier fly stands out for its non-pathogenic nature and the absence of disease agents. In this method, black soldier fly larvae decomposes organic waste generated from human activities. After that, the insects can be used as fish or chicken feed for their high amino acids and protein content. In the end, this process forms a circular economy that creates new economic prospects.About KorindoKorindo Group (Korindo) was established in 1969, and consists of companies engaged in the field of naturalresources, industrial paper manufacturing, heavy industry, logistics, finance, and property. As one of the majorcorporate groups in Indonesia, Korindo has contributed significantly to the nation's development in various ways. Visit https://www.korindonews.com, and watch the video www.korindo.co.id/group-profile/.Through Korindo Foundation, we have a responsibility for building sustainable communities in various fields through our Corporate Social Contribution (CSC) programs. Our CSC activities focus on strategic, systematic and sustainable programs through 5 main program pillars, namely Education, Health, Economics, Environment, and Infrastructure. Learn more at https://korindofoundation.com. Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

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Abraclean Launches Singapore’s First Recycled Glass Abrasive Plant

Singapore, Feb 6, 2023 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Ms Grace Fu, inaugurated ABRABLAST Singapore's first recycled glass abrasive manufacturing plant in Abraclean (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd at 46 Pioneer Sector 2, Singapore 628396. Present for the launch were Gurmit Singh, Chairman- Abraclean and Colonel (Ret) Lau Kee Siong- Director.From (L) Xiang Xiang, MD-Abraclean Asia Pacific Pvt LTd, Gurmit Singh, Chairman, Abrablast, Minister Grace Fu and KS Lau, Director, Abraclean at the launch of AbrablastABRABLAST is a proprietary and a registered trademark in Singapore. Abraclean holds a General Waste Disposal Facility licence issued by the National Environment Agency (NEA), to receive, store, process or treat glass waste. The facility is licensed with a design capacity of 50 tonnes per day. We are a "Social Enterprise" moving towards building a Circular Economy.Gurmit Singh, Chairman, Abraclean quips, "Sustainability is not just a vertical but also a horizontal layer that cuts across various industries. We are supporting Singapore's circular economy to ensure we recycle the glass and put it to use without harming Gaia (earth). We advocate for Singapore's Zero Waste Masterplan and believe this move will benefit the country such as contributing to raise recycling glass waste. We can process 40 tonnes daily, approximately 1,000 tonnes a month and 12,000 tonnes per year. This represents, about 16% of glass waste generated in Singapore. By recycling glass in this way, we will save on energy and reduce the carbon footprint. With a zero waste solution we further aspire to lower the landfill burden."About Abraclean (Asia Pacific) Pte LtdIncepted in the year 2017, Abraclean is a one stop solution company for Blasting and Coating Services. We partner with International Brands of Protective coatings to meet the standards of industry. The company has considerable experience in blasting and coating, corrosion protection by providing proper surface preparation and utilizing various coatings. ABRABLAST represents our first step towards zero waste.Bloomingdale PR Pte Ltd Ganesh Somwanshi+65 9779 1286ganesh@bloomingdalepr.com Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

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Baguio wins EPD service contract worth HK$37 million to provide food waste collection services in New Territories West

HONG KONG, Jan 16, 2023 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Baguio Green Group Limited ("Baguio" or the "Company", Stock Code: 01397.HK) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a 2-year service contract worth approximately HK$37 million, by the Environmental Protection Department ("EPD") of the HKSAR Government for the provision of food waste collection services in New Territories West commencing in April 2023. Winning this EPD contract highlights Baguio's position as Hong Kong's market leader in food waste collection. Among the four EPD's recyclable food waste collection service contracts, Baguio has secured half of them (including this contract and Kowloon District contract awarded last year). Under this EPD contract, Baguio will collect approximately 12,000-20,000 tonnes of food waste in total during the contract period. In order to maximize the volume of food waste collected and recycled, Baguio will deploy a designated team to do community outreach, educate the stakeholders and establish a comprehensive collection network to make food waste recycling easy and convenient for the public. Food waste collected will be delivered to O.PARK1, Hong Kong's first organic resources recovery centre, where it will be turned into renewable energy, in Siu Ho Wan of Lantau Island. According to the latest statistics released by EPD, on average 3,437 tonnes of food waste was disposed in landfills each day in 2021. Food waste is the largest single component (30%) of Hong Kong municipal solid waste ("MSW") in landfills. Referring to the "Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035" published by the HKSAR Government, Hong Kong is working to achieve "Zero Landfill" by 2035. As the recycling market leader in Hong Kong, Baguio is determined to assist Hong Kong to achieve this ambition by providing various recycling services, including food waste collection.Ms. Ng Yuk Kwan Phyllis, CEO of Baguio, said, "We are pleased to be awarded the New Territories West food waste collection contract after winning a similar contract covering the Kowloon district last year. This new contract not only symbolizes Baguio's strong commitment to increase collection of food waste but more importantly it recognizes the Company's unique ability as Hong Kong's market leader to provide comprehensive recycling services for different kinds of waste to help resolve the sustainability issues.With the MSW Charging Scheme scheduled to be launched in the second half of this year, people are being encouraged to recycle, including food waste, to reduce the amount of waste sending to landfills. Recycling market in Hong Kong is expected to grow rapidly. As one of Hong Kong's largest recycling service providers, Baguio is well positioned to capture the significant market opportunities created by "Zero Landfill" and strengthen its leadership position in Hong Kong."About Baguio Green GroupEstablished in 1980, Baguio Green Group (Stock code: 01397.HK) is one of Hong Kong's largest and most respected integrated environmental services groups. It provides a full spectrum of professional services including professional cleaning, waste collection & recycling, waste management, green technology, organic fertilizer and animal feed production, horticulture & landscaping, and pest control. It serves a wide range of customers in various sectors including Government departments, statutory organizations and multinational corporations. Fully committed to ESG, the Group works relentlessly to advance sustainable development and create a cleaner, greener, healthier city. Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

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Waste management firm fined $17,000 for illegal discharge into Tuas sewers

SINGAPORE - A waste management firm that was fined $12,200 in 2018 over illegal discharge of liquid waste was handed another penalty last month for a similar offence. NSL Oilchem Logistics was fined $17,000 for illegal discharge of trade effluent, or liquid waste created by businesses, into public sewers on two occasions. It was convicted of three charges on Oct 12 for the two incidents last year on Sept 24 and Oct 26. National water agency PUB said on Wednesday (Nov 24) that between August and October last year, its regular sampling on several occasions detected abnormally high levels of regulated substances, such as heavy metals and Chemical Oxygen Demand - a measure of water quality - at night in public sewers in Tuas. These readings were traced to NSL's premises in Tuas Avenue 12. During a routine inspection by PUB on Sept 24 last year, it found that NSL had discharged trade effluent containing heavy metals beyond permissible levels into public sewers. On Oct 26 last year, PUB carried out a "surprise late-night inspection" and caught NSL personnel illegally discharging liquid waste. PUB said: "This time, NSL had also tampered with the monitoring equipment and sampling tubes placed at the inspection chamber to avoid detection by PUB." Approval for the company to discharge waste into the sewers was revoked on that same day. It was reinstated on Aug 17 this year after NSL fulfilled conditions such as implementing measures to prevent a recurrence. NSL was previously convicted of three similar charges and fined $12,200 in 2018 for offences committed in 2017. Those who illegally discharge hazardous substances can be fined up to $15,000, jailed up to three months, or both. Director of PUB's water reclamation network Maurice Neo said it will not hesitate to take action against offenders. "Such acts disrupt our used water reclamation processes and also endanger the health and safety of our workers," he added.

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MHIEC Receives Order from Sendai City to Refurbish Matsumori Waste-to-Energy Plant

TOKYO, Nov 16, 2021 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Environmental & Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd. (MHIEC), a Group company of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), has received an order from Sendai City (Miyagi Pref.) for refurbishment of its Matsumori Waste-to-Energy Plant, an incineration plant for municipal solid waste. The order calls for renovation of the facility's three stoker-type incinerators(1), capable of processing 600 tonnes per day (tpd), to extend the plant's service life and enhance its energy efficiency in a quest to reduce its carbon emissions. The five-year contract is valued at 9.33 billion Japanese yen, with completion scheduled for January 2026.Sendai Matsumori Waste-to-Energy PlantThe Matsumori Waste-to-Energy Plant was originally designed and constructed by MHI. On completion in August 2005, the facility incorporated three stoker-type incinerators each providing a processing capacity of 200 tpd, plus related equipment. This configuration delivers capacity to generate 17.5 megawatts (MW) of electricity. The refurbishment project targets stable combustion and operation over the long term through replacement of the plant's aging core components, including equipment involved in combustion, combustion gas cooling, flue gas treatment, waste heat recovery, ventilation and ash removal, as well as electrical instrumentation.In addition, the thermal efficiency of the boiler will be enhanced through adoption of EGR-PLUS(2), a new combustion control system using an exhaust gas recirculation fan. Power generation capacity will be increased by replacing the steam-type soot blower, which removes dust adhering to the boiler pipes, with a pressure wave-type unit. The adoption of high-efficiency electrical equipment, combined with optimized combustion control logic enabled by upgrading of the distributed control system (DCS), will reduce annual carbon emissions by more than 8%, helping to curb global warming and realize a carbon-neutral society.In recent years, waste incineration facilities in Japan have increasingly been undergoing refurbishment to extend their service life and reduce their impact on the global environment. Today, this trend is accelerating further following establishment of a subsidy program(3) by the Ministry of the Environment to support the adoption of advanced equipment at the nation's waste management facilities.MHIEC succeeded to MHI's environmental protection business in 2008, taking over its accumulated technological development capabilities in environmental protection systems and its abundant expertise in the construction and operation of waste management facilities both in Japan and overseas. Based on this strong track record, MHIEC is well positioned to propose and provide comprehensive solutions encompassing all aspects from plant construction to operation.Going forward, on the strength of this record and boosted by this latest contract, MHIEC will aim for further orders expansion through proactive proposals of solutions for improving the energy efficiency and maintaining or enhancing the operational stability of existing waste management plants and reducing their maintenance and other lifecycle costs.(1) A stoker incinerator is the most widely adopted type of furnace used in waste-to-energy plants. Waste is combusted as it moves along on a fire grate made of heat-resistant castings.(2) Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is a technology whereby the exhaust gas emitted from an incinerator is recirculated to the combustion chamber, resulting in complete combustion that reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. MHIEC's EGR-PLUS is a system adopting the newest combustion control configuration integrating EGR technology and low-air-ratio combustion technology (Lambda = 1.2), resulting in stable mitigation of environmental impact and increased volume of marketable electricity.(3) This program is available to municipal governments that seek to extend the service life of their waste management facilities and/or implement measures against global warming through projects focused on enhancing the efficiency of such facilities - which fall under the Ministry of the Environment's administration - as a way of mitigating impact of the waste management sector on global warming. The subsidies cover between one-third and one-half of the costs of projects that will contribute to reducing carbon emissions through adoption of advanced equipment, or projects that will promote the realization of a recycling-based society.About MHI GroupMitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world's leading industrial groups, spanning energy, logistics & infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on www.spectra.mhi.com. Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

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Home-grown firm that turns coffee waste into furniture material one of 11 NEA award recipients

SINGAPORE - This home-grown company collects sodden, used coffee grounds from cafes and hotels, and turns it into wood-like panels that can be used to make furniture. The firm, A1 Environment, first removes contaminants such as coffee filters from the coffee by-product, then dries and processes the coffee grounds and mixes it with a binder so they can be shaped into fire-retardant panels.  Since 2019, A1 Environment has worked with local woodworkers and carpenters to build furniture and household items such as tables and shelves from the novel material. For giving food waste a new lease of life, A1 Environment and 10 other firms were recipients of the inaugural Food Resource Valorisation Awards on Wednesday (Sept 29). Food resource valorisation refers to the conversion of food waste into higher-value products. It is a preferred solution to reducing food waste compared to turning it into compost or liquid nutrients. The awards were given out by the National Environment Agency (NEA). A1 Environment business director Loh Yen-Lyng said by the end of next year, when the company has scaled up its processes, it plans to launch a range of furniture, in collaboration with the woodworkers. Items such as flower pots and corporate gifts will also be launched.   To date, the company has converted 650 tonnes of used coffee grounds into compost for local farms or the waterproof, durable panels that are harder than plywood. On top of diverting coffee waste from landfills, the coffee-based panels can become an alternative material to wood, meaning fewer trees would be cut down, noted Ms Loh. A few years ago, A1 Environment wanted to expand its business model, and widen the use of used coffee grounds beyond turning it into compost. It worked with an expert from Nanyang Polytechnic to develop a proprietary formula to convert the used coffee grounds into material for furniture. On winning the award, A1 Environment technical director Mohamad Ismail Ibrahim said: "Over nine years, we have put in a lot of effort in trying to reduce waste. Previously we were working with paper, plastics and other materials, but now we've moved into coffee... and the feedback from furniture-makers has been encouraging. "The woodworkers and carpenters said the panels' function and durability surpassed their expectations, and that motivates us to produce the (coffee-based) panels in a larger scale." Coffee grounds (left) from more than 700 cups of coffee were used to make the table. PHOTOS: A1 ENVIRONMENT Also by the end of next year, the company will start exploring ways to convert other food waste, such as tea leaves and coffee husks, into furniture and household items. Another award recipient, KosmodeHealth, turns spent barley grains into starchless, high-fibre noodles that do not cause an increase in blood sugar levels after consumption. Spent barley grains - a waste product from beer breweries and malt factories here - are dried and processed into a fine protein fibre powder which is formulated into noodles. KosmodeHealth says its noodles have a taste and texture close to wheat noodles. KosmodeHealth says its noodles from spent barley grains have a taste and texture close to wheat noodles. PHOTOS: KOSMODEHEALTH Called W0W noodle, each 200g pack is sold online for $6.60. KosmodeHealth is currently raising funds to build a pilot production facility so that it can process 100kg of spent barley grains into starchless noodles each day. The 11 winners were selected based on the technologies they use, the value of their final products and the long-term viability of their businesses, among other criteria, said NEA in a statement on Wednesday. In Singapore, food waste is one of the major waste streams. Water, malted barley and surplus bread being mashed together, as part of the beer brewing process. PHOTO: CRUST GROUP Last year, food waste accounted for 11 per cent of the total waste generated. Of the 665 million kilograms of food discarded, only 19 per cent was recycled. Speaking at the award ceremony on Wednesday, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Amy Khor said: "More can and needs to be done to reduce the amount of food waste that goes to our incineration plants as valuable resources are wasted in their production, distribution and disposal." CRUST Group collects excess bread from bakeries, and uses it to make beer. PHOTO: CRUST GROUP Another winner, CRUST Group, concocts craft beer using unsold bread from bakeries as one of the raw ingredients in the brewing process. Later this year, CRUST will launch its range of fruit-based sparkling water, made from the peels and rinds of fruit and vegetables. Fermentation and heat treatment are used to extract the flavours for the sparkling water. More on this topic   Related Story Food waste to be collected from HDB residents in year-long trial   Related Story Project using black soldier flies to break down food waste set to expand in Tampines

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MHIEC Supplies Incinerators for First Waste-to-Energy Plant in Xiaogan, Hubei Province, China

TOKYO, Apr 27, 2021 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Environmental & Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd. (MHIEC), a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has delivered two state-of-the-art stoker furnaces* for a large-scale waste-to-energy (WtE) plant in Xiaogan, Hubei Province, China. This facility has capacity to process approximately 1,500 tonnes of waste per day, along with the capability to utilize waste heat from combustion to generate electricity. This is the first WtE plant in Xiaogan, and since the start of commercial operation in January 2021, has played a vital role in the life of the city as part of the environmental infrastructure.Xiaogan Waste-to-Energy PlantMHIEC is a leading company in the waste management industry, having supplied more than 300 waste treatment facilities in Japan and around the world, with more than 50 incinerators delivered to China since the 1980s. The advanced incinerators provided for this plant have enhanced combustion efficiency to allow for stable treatment of waste with high moisture content. Going forward, MHIEC will utilize its capabilities for technical development in the environmental facilities field accumulated over many years to support the creation of eco-friendly cities in China.MHIEC, through construction and operation of WtE plants and other facilities that contribute to lowering the environmental load by means of the effective utilization of energy, will continue to work toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and resolving global environmental issues.* A stoker furnace is an incinerator in which waste is placed on a bed of heat-resistant metal castings (a stoker) to be dried, heated, and incinerated while being stirred.Project SummaryClient: Xiaogan City, Hubei Province, ChinaOperator: Grandblue (Xiaogan) Solid Waste Treatment Co., Ltd.Construction Contractor: Grandblue Engineering Technology Co., Ltd.Project Name: Xiaogan Garbage Incinerating Power Plant ProjectCapacity: Stoker furnace 1,500 tonnes per day (750 t/day x 2) , power generation capacity 35 megawatts (MW)Start of Operations: January 2021Tags: waste to energy plant,energy saving,MHIECAbout MHI GroupMitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world's leading industrial groups, spanning energy, logistics & infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on www.spectra.mhi.com. Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

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Turning Singapore’s trash to treasure

Food waste is one of the biggest waste streams in Singapore. While the authorities look at how to convert food waste into high value products that can give back to the economy, various groups have taken steps to upcycle food waste. Big future in tiny insects The humble black soldier fly, with its voracious appetite as larva, is being harnessed to eat discarded food and create rich nutrients for plants and animals. This ubiquitous and harmless insect is being put to good use in the valorisation of food waste, which otherwise has negative value as it cannot be recycled, says co-founder and chief marketing officer of Insectta Chua Kai-Ning, 25. "Food waste is a big problem in Singapore. In fact, we have one of the highest per capita rates of food waste in our region. The power of black soldier flies is their ability to upcycle food waste by eating it and converting it into valuable bio-materials," she adds. Insectta is the first urban insect farm in Singapore to rear black soldier flies to process food waste and turn fly frass into organic food for plants and its larvae for animals. The biotech company develops high-value, insect-derived biomaterials, such as chitosan, for both the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Research by Insectta found that biochemicals extracted from the larvae can be used to produce chitosan. "By harnessing these flies to transform organic matter into valuable resources, we have increased the value of the food waste - where it once was a negative-value product - to a positive-value product that is worth a few hundred dollars a gram," Ms Chua says. The global chitosan market is valued at US$7 billion (S$9.34 billion) and is expected to expand by 25 per cent between 2020 and 2030. "Chitosan is a very potent wound-healing agent that can be used in bandages, sutures and anti-microbial coatings. Other than that, it can be used as a moisturiser for your face. Imagine - insect-derived cosmetics. Chitosan is also known to be a supplement used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood," she adds. Insectta's research and development team is working with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) to yield multiple other high-value biomaterials from the flies. Ms Chua Kai-Ning, chief marketing director of Insectta, with a handful of pupae inside the mating chamber that houses one million black soldier flies.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Insectta is the first urban insect farm in Singapore to rear black soldier flies to process food waste and turn fly frass into organic food for plants and its larvae for animals.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI More on this topic   Related Story Purpose-driven social entrepreneurs making a difference   Related Story How two Singapore homes turned minimising food waste into a habit Pretty ugly food Produce deemed too unsightly for sale, boxes containing excess vegetable, and baskets of over-ripe bananas and papaya are destined for the bins every day. Co-founder of UglyFood Yeo Pei Shan, 25, found this not only wasteful but so sad that she had to do something about it. Together with her friends, she set up her social initiative in 2016 to buy, at discounts, edible produce that would have been thrown away by wholesalers and retailers. Ms Yeo started UglyFood while she was a student at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). "We use the blemished fruit to produce juices, soy milkshakes and popsicles. We also repurpose it by cutting it up for the acai bowls that we serve in our cafe." Cutting up a pear, Ms Yeo shows how the blemishes on the skin are not on the flesh inside, which is white. "The blemish is only skin deep and does not affect the pear, which is still safe to consume," she says. "Surplus produce tends to be in better condition and have a higher shelf life, so we resell it as fresh produce both at our online and in the physical store," she adds. The UglyFood cafe and store is located on the grounds of SUTD. UglyFood also asks customers to donate used plastic boxes that are still in good condition and can be used to repack the loose fruit. "We may not be plastic-free but we try to avoid single-use plastics," she says. Ms Yeo Pei Shan, co-founder of UglyFood, with the rejected blemished fruit and vegetables which will be turned into juices, soy milkshakes and popsicles. The produce is also cut up for the acai bowls that the company serves at its cafe. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI UglyFood was started to buy, at discounts, edible produce that would have been thrown away by wholesalers and retailers. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI More on this topic   Related Story Bringing buyers and sellers of surplus food together   Related Story Portraits of Purpose: Kenny Eng found a use for 'ugly' produce   Related Story Helping buffet kitchens curb food waste by peeking into their bins Digesting food waste in just 24 hours Sitting in the bin centre of the JTC Aviation 2 @ Seletar Aerospace Park is a machine that is constantly hungry. One of the smallest digesters in the stable of Westcom, a company that develops and produces equipment and products in food waste and other technology, it can transform 50kg of unconsumed food into 5kg of organic fertiliser in just 24 hours. Westcom's largest digester can process more than 1,000kg of food waste in the same amount of time. The company was set up in 2016 by entrepreneur David Tan to reduce and recycle food waste. He imported 10 such machines from Japan, only to find that Japanese micro organisms could not effectively decompose local foods such as curry and hotpot meals, which are higher in oil and salt than Japanese food. "This current technology is co-developed by A*Star and Westcom Singapore typically for local food waste. The micro organisms in the machine help to recycle food waste into odourless organic fertiliser," says Ms Ruby Fang, 29, vice-president of business development at Westcom Singapore. The microbial treatment breaks down food waste, including bones, dough and even sugar cane safely and effectively, helping Westcom capture a slice of the global food waste processing market worth an estimated US$31.7 billion. "We collect both cooked and uncooked food waste such as vegetables, eggshells and rice. The unique advantage of this technology is the low operating temperature. We are using about 30 deg C to recycle food waste, which can save up to 100 per cent of energy," she adds. A spokesman for JTC says the corporation has tried out several models of food waste digesters since 2016, and finally settled on the West Com version last year, which now produces fertiliser that JTC uses in its estates. Other sites where Westcom's digesters are located include JTC Pandan Loop Industrial Estate, Jurong-Clementi Town Council, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and One North. The digesters use the food waste that comes from the canteens, cafes, hospital kitchen, and supermarket located in these areas. Ms Ruby Fang, Westcom Solutions’ vice-president of business development, with a scoop of fertiliser composted from food waste, with Ms Joyce Teo, manager, facilities and estate management, at JTC standing near the food digester. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI The microbial treatment breaks down food waste, including bones, dough and even sugar cane safely and effectively. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI More on this topic   Related Story Unsold but not unwanted food: What do supermarkets in Singapore do with these   Related Story Meet the people getting 'ugly' food onto plates and away from the bin   Related Story This entrepreneur is stopping food waste while doing good Growing veggies on fish poop Nestled behind a coffeeshop in Tampines Industrial Park A is a community garden "powered" by a high-tech aquaponics system that converts fish waste from a tilapia pond into organic nutrients. These nutrients are used to fatten organic vegetables such as xiao bai cai, kale, cherry tomatoes, winter melon, curry leaves and chilli padi. "The idea of a community garden came about from a group of tenants who are passionate about gardening and keen to do something for the community, so I proposed one within the industrial estate," says Ms Catherine Koh, 51, president of the Tampines Small and Medium Enterprise Association. Besides using recycled materials to build the 185.8 sq m garden, JTC also introduced the group to Metro Farm, a commercial organic smart farming firm which conducts research and development on smart aquaponics farming systems. The company sponsored about $30,000 to build a custom vertical smart aquaponics farming system for the group, and trains volunteers on how to plant and harvest vegetables using it. The system comprises a fish tank, a filter system and an area where the vegetables grow. Director of Metro Farm Chris Toh, 39, says it is a close-loop, self-sustaining system. "The waste in the water goes through the filter and is broken down by beneficial bacteria," he says. "The vegetables then absorb the nutrients, purifying the water, which is pumped back to the fish." The system also uses cameras, sensors and artificial intelligence to monitor and automate processes such as adjustments to the levels of the PH, temperature and nutrients. Mr Toh explains that the red tilapia was chosen because "they have a higher rate of producing waste compared to the other breeds of fish". "They are kept in the system for up to six months - from fingerling to table size of 600g - before we sell them to restaurants and zi char stalls," Mr Toh says. Ms Koh says: "The community benefits from the vegetable harvest, which is sold for the upkeep of the system and to pay for fish food. A portion of the proceeds is donated to the needy." The Tampines Industrial Park A community garden is "powered" by a high-tech aquaponics system. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Ms Catherine Koh, president of the Tampines Small and Medium Enterprise Association, and Mr Chris Toh, director of Metro Farm, at the community garden that converts fish waste from a tank filled with tilapia into organic nutrients. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI More on this topic   Related Story Meet the driving force behind Zero Waste SG   Related Story Calls to change eating habits and overhaul food supply chain to cut Singapore's food waste   Related Story Scaling towards zero food waste in fish farming Tips for festive celebrations PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO •Prepare just enough: Make a shopping list, buy only what you need, and cater for between 10 and 15 per cent fewer than the number of expected guests. •Think before you give: Pick food gifts that you know the recipient would enjoy, but avoid getting highly perishable items such as fruit and dairy products. •Go small: People usually prefer drinking and socialising to eating a heavy meal during this festive season, so provide smaller plates to reduce the amount of food left on them. •Freeze your leftovers in small portions: Divide leftovers into smaller portions and pack them into labelled airtight containers before freezing them. This makes foods freeze faster and reduces the need to thaw more than you need. You can also save some cash when you have them for lunch at work. •Give away excess food from your hamper. You are not going to need everything in the hamper you have received, so why not share - or better still, donate the excess non-perishables? SOURCE: NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

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Tampines town moves to reduce food waste and promote sustainable food production

SINGAPORE - As part of efforts to transform Tampines into an eco-town, an initiative was launched on Saturday (Dec 5) to reduce food waste and promote sustainable food production. Coined Sustainability @ Tampines Park, it includes a vertical vegetable farm along the wall of Block 146 Tampines Aveue 5, where nai bai, lettuce and bayam spinach are grown. In just three to four weeks, the vegetables will be harvested by hand and given to residents in exchange for their food waste. The food waste is fed to black soldier fly larvae, which breaks it down into fertiliser. The fertiliser can be used in the vertical vegetable farm, while the pupae of the black soldier fly can be used as feed for tilapia fish being reared in the Tampines Park pond. Tampines Town Council said it has plans to trial a robotic arm that will harvest the vegetables and move it to a locker where residents can collect their produce. Additionally, Tampines Town Council is experimenting with smart light-emitting diode (LED) lights which brightens when movement is detected in the vicinity and dims otherwise. This can lead to energy savings of up to 80 per cent. Ms Cheng Li Hui, chairman of Tampines Town Council, said: "While developing Tampines into a model Eco Town continues to be a priority, the town has seen more people-centric processes that involve our residents and different stakeholders. "With everyone's contributions, the project will be a success in reducing food waste while strengthening the community's food resilience," she said, referring to the latest initiative. More on this topic   Related Story Singapore GE: Tampines Town Council rolls out five-year masterplan for eco-friendly town   Related Story Robots that clean floors, chase pigeons away among technologies being tested at Tampines food centre

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MHIEC Receives Order to Construct Waste-to-Energy Plant with Capacity of 230 tonnes per day in Kamisu City of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan

TOKYO, Dec 2, 2020 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Environmental & Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd. (MHIEC), a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has formally concluded a contract with the Kashima Regional Administration Association in Ibaraki Prefecture (comprising the cities of Kashima and Kamisu) to design and build a combustible waste management facility planned for construction in Kamisu city. The project to consolidate and replace two existing superannuated facilities was tendered as an open call for proposals, and after review MHIEC was selected to execute engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) as a single main contractor. The contract is valued at 13,588 million Japanese yen, with completion scheduled for the end of the March 2024.Image perspective of the new plantThe new facility in Towada, Kamisu city will be an energy recovery-type waste management facility equipped with two stoker type incinerators(1), each with waste treatment capacity of 115 tonnes per day (tpd), providing power generating efficiency from the burning of combustible waste of greater than 16.5%. Since the construction site is in an exclusive industrial district surrounded by numerous companies, MHIEC will utilize its accumulated know-how to install compact facilities that effectively utilize the narrow site area in a three-dimensional manner, and take steps to control and prevent noise, vibration, and dust.The Kashima Regional Administration Association was established in 1999 with the addition of responsibility for the administration of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) facilities to the former Municipal Kashima Regional Wholesale Market Association. The Association currently handles the establishment and operation of RDF facilities, construction of combustible municipal solid waste (MSW) facilities, and firefighting services for the cities of Kashima and Kamisu. This new facility will replace the RDF facilities in each of the two municipalities, and allow for integrated incineration of combustible waste, and energy recovery.MHIEC succeeded MHI?s environmental equipment business in 2008, incorporating its accumulated technological development capabilities in environmental systems, and its broad expertise in the construction and operation of waste management facilities both in Japan and overseas. Based on this strong track record, MHIEC is well positioned to provide comprehensive solutions, from plant construction to operation, as well as meet a range of needs including after-sales service and DBO(2) project delivery. Orders for plant retrofit projects have been increasing in recent years.Going forward, MHIEC will build on this record to actively pursue new construction of waste management facilities, as well as enhance the energy efficiency of existing plants, improve incinerator performance through support for remote monitoring and autonomous operation using AI and IoT, and offer solutions to lower lifecycle costs, in order to expand project orders in Japan and overseas.(1) A stoker furnace is the main type of waste-to-energy (WtE) plant. Waste is combusted as it moves along on a fire grate made of heat-resistant castings.(2) Design build operate (DBO) is a project delivery model in which a facility is financed and owned by a local government of other public agency, while a private contractor handles everything from design to operation. Copyright 2020 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

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Scaling towards zero food waste in fish farming

SINGAPORE - It is no fishy business to say that from the moment a fish is harvested to the time it lands on your plate, about 30 per cent of it would have been lost as waste. With today's affluence and preference for the convenience of a fish fillet, this proportion can sometimes double. "A filleted fish is easier to store and freeze if you do not plan to eat it on the same day. It is easier and faster to prepare, as well as easier and faster to eat, since there is no need to worry about bones. Today's consumers want this convenience," says Mr Malcolm Ong, chief executive of fishery company The Fish Farmer. Mr Ong, 57, started to work last year with Hai Sia Seafood, one of the largest seafood processors in Singapore, to have the grey mullet, one of the species he farms off the coast of Lim Chu Kang, processed into fillets and sold at supermarkets such as FairPrice. According to The Fish Farmer's website, grey mullet is an oil-rich fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins. Its meat is of a medium to firm texture and has a rich, distinctive flavour. The fish can be prepared in many ways - including steaming, grilling and pan-frying - and is a favourite among Teochews. For Mr Ong, it makes business sense to send 3,000kg of mullet a day to Hai Sia Seafood to be filleted, but it worried him to see the offcuts, comprising the head, bones, trimmings and the rest of the meat, being thrown away. "The fillet is just meat. It makes up only 40 per cent of the entire fish. So the rest of the fish - 60 per cent - would have been thrown away. These are perfectly good parts of the fish," he says. Food waste is one of the biggest waste streams in Singapore, and the amount of food wastage generated has ballooned by about 20 per cent over the past 10 years. The National Environment Agency estimates that 40 per cent of food waste generated here is from the commercial and industrial sectors that handle fish, other seafood and vegetables. Last year alone saw around 744 million kg of food wasted. That is equivalent to two bowls of rice a person a day, or the weight of about 50,000 double-decker buses. A study by the Singapore Environment Council and consultancy firm Deloitte Singapore last year found that the fish and seafood sector contributed the second-largest volume of food loss, at about 25,000 tonnes a year. According to market and consumer data provider Statista, more than 125,000 tonnes of seafood was imported to Singapore, and approximately 5,340 tonnes was produced here last year. About 124,200 tonnes was consumed, translating to about 21kg a person. World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Singapore's head of market transformation Stefanie Beitien says how food is produced and consumed is the biggest threat to the planet today. Despite the high environmental cost of food production, a third of all food produced goes to waste. "Seafood supply chains are often long and complex, spanning businesses across fisheries, aquaculture, suppliers, retailers and end consumers. Food loss and waste happens at every stage across this value chain, so any measure that reduces the distance between farm to fork helps," Ms Beitien says. Proper processing methods, access to good storage facilities and improved cold chain management prevent food loss and waste, she says. Mr Malcolm Ong, chief executive of The Fish Farmer, at Hai Sia Seafood with mullet from his fishery. Processing 3,000kg of mullet into fillets can leave as much as 1,800kg of offcuts, such as heads, bones and trimmings. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Staff making assam mullet chowder at The Soup Spoon's production kitchen. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI At farm level, sustainable aquaculture production practices that minimise environmental impact and enhance efficient use of resources can contribute to higher survival rates of farmed fish. "Companies along the seafood supply chain should set targets that track and measure food waste from source through point of sale. "Addressing food waste, in turn, reduces pressure on natural resources while increasing productivity and decreasing price volatility," Ms Beitien says. WWF-Singapore is working with businesses across the seafood industry here to help them adopt sustainable sourcing practices and improve overall industry standards, she says. As early as 2016, businesses such as retailers, restaurants, hotels and seafood suppliers came together with WWF-Singapore to crowdsource industry solutions at a Sustainable Seafood Business Forum. The same forum also kick-started the Responsible Seafood Group, comprising local industry leaders such as logistics operator Global Oceanlink and integrated resort Marina Bay Sands. Working with WWF-Singapore, they commit to responsible sourcing standards and pave the way for the rest of the industry to follow suit. Says Ms Beitien says: "Restaurateurs, retailers and the F&B (food and beverage) industry have influence over shaping consumer preferences. As 'nose to tail' and 'root to stem' cooking are already popular culinary concepts, the 'fin to gill' approach can be easily adopted by the seafood industry. "The industry can create products with offcuts, such as broth or chowder. Even non-valuable fish can be turned into soap, glycerol or fertilisers. "Shell waste from crabs, shrimps and krill are the main sources for the extraction of chitin and chitosan, which are used in the biomedical, cosmetic and food industries." More on this topic   Related Story Purpose-driven social entrepreneurs making a difference   Related Story Calls to change eating habits and overhaul food supply chain to cut Singapore's food waste   Related Story Meet the driving force behind Zero Waste SG Not all has to be wasted The loss, says Mr Ong, begins as far upstream as the fish farms - when fish are at the fry stage. Every year, his farm buys between one million and 1.5 million mullet fry at 20 cents each, which comes up to about $300,000. By the time the mullet mature and are ready for the dinner table at 18 months, half of the fry would not have made it, he says. Add to that the loss of as much as 1,800kg of offcuts from the 3,000kg of mullet processed into fillets daily, "and such wastage is too high", says Mr Ong. Things changed after he was put in touch with Ms Anna Lim, founder and chief executive of home-grown restaurant chain The Soup Spoon. "I remember that Kenny introduced us, wanting us to collaborate and upcycle raw products to cut food waste," says Mr Ong, referring to Mr Kenny Eng, 46 - director of horticultural business Nyee Phoe Group and its Gardenasia arm - whose personal passion is to encourage the use of locally produced foods and upcycling of food waste. "It was also his pet project to get local farmers and businesses to work together. It was then that we brainstormed and came up with the idea of using the offcuts to make soup," Mr Ong adds. Ms Lim, 45, says: "Typically, customers would pay top dollar for fresh fish fillets, but these parts are generally limited. Fishery company The Fish Farmer sends the mullet it farms to Hai Sia Seafood, which scales the fish and processes it into fillets. Instead of the offcuts being discarded, they now go to restaurant chain The Soup Spoon, which uses them to make packs of take-home soup. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Fishery company The Fish Farmer sends the mullet it farms to Hai Sia Seafood, which scales the fish and processes it into fillets. Instead of the offcuts being discarded, they now go to restaurant chain The Soup Spoon, which uses them to make packs of take-home soup. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI "Then if the farmer is lucky, he may be able sell off some of the offcuts and bones at a much reduced price, but most of the time, they are thrown away, as the cost of warehousing is very high in Singapore. "There is still a lot of meat clinging to the bones of the offcuts, and it does not make sense to turn these into stock." Having worked on similar projects overseas, Ms Lim says she wanted to do more for Singapore brands and produce. "It was in 2018 that I met Malcolm, and we wanted to see how we could collaborate on a platform to showcase local produce. Through this platform, leveraging The Soup Spoon brand and our expertise in making soups and stews, we are able to upcycle the offcuts to create delicious recipes and showcase local produce and the work of local farmers and (get) better margins for them," she says. The Soup Spoon processes about 7.2 tonnes of fish offcuts and 10.8 tonnes of chicken offcuts a year to create stocks, soups and chowders. Ms Lim says that for their partnership, The Fish Farmer provides the odd parts and bones "while we create the recipe, process the fish and create take-home soup packs featuring both the farmer and the produce on the pack", producing batches of 250 packs in seven working days. "With this collaboration, we managed to cut the wastage (of the mullet) by 50 per cent and reduce our carbon footprint, but we are not stopping there. We are still looking for ways to do more," Ms Lim says. Ms Beitien says businesses that make responsible decisions have the potential to create positive environmental impact at scale. This is particularly crucial in the food industry, which handles large volumes of food daily. "While the use of offcuts is a creative and cost-effective solution, it is also important that this is coupled with other sustainable practices, such as well-managed inventories, portion control and purchasing responsibly sourced seafood," she says. More on this topic   Related Story Bringing buyers and sellers of surplus food together

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Environmental services job fair offers 350 positions

Since getting retrenched from oil and gas giant ExxonMobil two weeks ago, Mr Hameem Mustafa has sent out more than 20 job applications, with no replies yet. Yesterday, the 48-year-old's job hunt continued at an environmental services sector job fair in his neighbourhood in Hong Kah North. The former workplace safety and health professional told The Straits Times that retrenchment has been difficult for him and his wife Halimah Yazeen, 47. Her contract for work in an administrative role ended last year. The couple, who have no children, care for their elderly parents. Mr Hameem said: "I'll probably have to go for half of what I was earning because we can't demand anything. At this moment, the important thing is to get the job." The two were among several attendees at the job fair, which is promoting careers in the environmental services sector for those who may have been impacted by the economic downturn. More than 350 job vacancies in about 20 organisations are on offer at the event, which is running until tomorrow at the Hong Kah North Community Club. The jobs range from waste collection truck captain to waste or recycling facility operations executive, with 20 per cent of the vacancies for professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs). The fair is organised by Hong Kah North Grassroots Organisations in partnership with the Waste Management and Recycling Association of Singapore (WMRAS). Speaking at the launch yesterday, Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment and Transport, said: "A lot of people are now quite concerned about the job situation, especially in this Covid-19 situation, but the environmental services sector, among some of the other green sectors, are areas that have been identified as growth sectors." Dr Khor, who is also MP for Hong Kah North, added: "Many of the companies which are participating today, and in the next few days, are actually looking to employ more people and expand their operations." The job fair is part of the Hong Kah North Go Green Movement, an initiative supported by Workforce Singapore (WSG), NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and NTUC LearningHub. Eligible mid-career job seekers can choose to convert their skills through the professional conversion programme for waste management professionals offered by WSG, in partnership with WMRAS. The programme, supported by the National Environment Agency, aims to build a strong workforce in the waste management sector by attracting and retaining a PMET workforce. New mid-career PMET entrants will be equipped with the relevant competencies in leadership and skills in areas such as quality assurance and system design. More on this topic   Related Story Singapore's waste management firms team up to plot business transformation roadmap   Related Story Waste management sector one step closer to progressive wage model The job fair will also promote training courses by NTUC LearningHub and Republic Polytechnic. In addition, NTUC's e2i will offer on-site career coaching to better prepare applicants for job interviews. The Hong Kah North Go Green Movement yesterday also launched a recycling competition for households in the constituency. Residents can download the Step Up Sustainability app to record their recycling efforts and earn points to redeem shopping vouchers. There will also be monthly prizes for the top 10 recyclers from next month to February.

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Job fair for careers in environmental services offers more than 350 positions

SINGAPORE - A job fair in Hong Kah is promoting careers in the environmental services sector for those who may have been impacted by the economic downturn. More than 350 job vacancies in about 21 organisations are on offer at the event, which is running from Sunday (Nov 15) to Tuesday at the Hong Kah North Community Club. The jobs range from waste collection truck captain to waste or recycling facility operations executive, with 20 per cent of the vacancies for professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMET). The fair is organised by Hong Kah North Grassroots Organisations in partnership with the Waste Management and Recycling Association of Singapore (WMRAS). Speaking at the launch on Sunday, Dr Amy Khor, who is the Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, and Transport, said: "A lot of people are now quite concerned about the job situation, especially in this Covid-19 situation, but the environmental services sector, among some of the other green sectors, are areas that have been identified as growth sectors. "Many of the companies which are participating today, and in the next few days, are actually looking to employ more people and expand their operations," added Dr Khor, who is MP for Hong Kah North. The job fair is part of the Hong Kah North (HKN) Go Green Movement, an initiative supported by Workforce Singapore (WSG), NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute and NTUC LearningHub. Eligible mid-career job seekers can choose to convert their skills through the Professional Conversion Programme for Waste Management Professionals offered by WSG, in partnership with WMRAS. This conversion programme, supported by the National Environment Agency (NEA), aims to build a strong workforce in the waste management sector by attracting and retaining a PMET workforce. More on this topic   Related Story Singapore's waste management firms team up to plot business transformation roadmap   Related Story Waste management sector one step closer to progressive wage model New mid-career PMET entrants will be equipped with the relevant competencies in leadership, emerging and technical skills in areas such as quality assurance, system design, sustainability, project management and operations within the sector. The job fair will also promote training courses from NTUC LearningHub and Republic Polytechnic, as well as offer on-site career coaching, webinars to provide job search tips and better prepare applicants for job interviews. The HKN Go Green Movement also on Sunday launched a digital recycling competition for households in the constituency. Senior Minister of State Amy Khor demonstrates the use of the Step Up Sustainability app on Nov 15, 2020. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN Residents can download the Step Up Sustainability app to record and scan the recyclables they place in the recycling chutes or bins and accumulate points which represent the amount of carbon dioxide emissions saved through recycling. Every month from December through to February 2021, organisers will give away prizes to the top 10 recyclers. The points can also be used to redeem shopping vouchers from participating merchants. "I encourage everyone to join our Hong Kah North Green Movement and make sustainable living a way of life because every action counts," said Dr Khor.

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