ASSESSING PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

About 18,000 tons of wastes are generated per day and it is estimated to increase to more than 30,000 tonnes daily in Peninsular Malaysia by the year 2020. About 75% of this waste is being collected while the remainder is disposed off. Although there are potentials to recycle up to 80 % the total dry wastes collected, it could generate revenue of RM 476 million from recycling waste materials annually, but waste treatment facilities are insufficient in the country. Although the government has taken many recycling campaigns and initiatives and also introduced Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) and Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation Act 2007 (Act 673) to improve the waste management problems, but more needs to be done for sustainable solutions of waste management by recycling and treating a major portion of the wastes. Thus, this article attempts to review by assessing the current situation of waste management problems and prospects of recycling for better understanding and improvement of waste management services in Malaysia. It also provides a valuable insight for economic value of recycling as well as waste management comparison between Malaysia and other countries.