Sustainability practices of palm oil mills in the FELDA Sahabat region

Abstract The palm oil industry is currently the top agricultural contributor to Malaysia’s economy. However, it has been criticized and perceived as a non-environmental-friendly industry. This study was conducted to identify and quantify wastes generated in palm oil mills (POMs), explore the sustainability understanding of management staff, and investigate environmental compliance of major waste disposal and treatment. The data was gathered by using POM’s operational data and interviews with management staff. The findings from four (4) POMs in the FELDA Sahabat region showed two types of major wastes were produced. The annual average generation of oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) was 36771 (MT) and palm oil mill effluent (POME) was about 12,134 (MT) per mill per year from the year 2017 to 2021. In addition, POMs management staff also demonstrated a satisfactory understanding of the concept of sustainability specifically on definition, impact, value, importance, challenges, and workplace practices. This understanding was reflected in the way they managed their wastes where about 735,420 (MT) of OPEFB (2017-2021) was sent to FGV Biomass Power Plant and the nearby oil palm plantation. POME was also properly treated with an average POME Final Discharge level was 33.49 mg/L and in compliance with the MSPO legal requirement of below 100 mg/L. In conclusion, a huge amount of waste was generated from POMs in the form of OPEFB and POME and the management staff of POMs in the FELDA Sahabat region showed satisfactory understanding and practice of sustainability which was clearly reflected in their practices.