THE alarming state of waste management should be a matter of concern for every Malaysian.
Our river systems, long archipelagic coastlines, weak environmental regulations and management, and sheer ignorance of the people on the amount of waste being disposed of require urgent attention.
In 2021, research showed that six of the world’s top ten biggest contributors to oceanic plastic pollution were in the Southeast Asia region, with our very own Sg Klang holding second place at 1.33% of the world’s problem.
Malaysians generate an average of approximately 1.17kg of waste per person per day. Based on a general household of five members, this would amount to 5.85kg of waste per day per home.
This is indeed alarming. However, this calculation is based on old data.
A study currently being undertaken by waste management firm SW Corp will provide a more accurate depiction of the current situation.
About 40,000 tons of waste is generated in the country per day, equivalent to 14.6 million tons per year. Assuming the recycling rate is 33.17% as claimed by SW Corp, there is a remaining 66.83% (26,732 tons) of waste per day that is not being recycled.
This remaining waste is either being disposed of at landfills around the country – incinerated at other facilities like the Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plant in Port Dickson, and mini incinerators, or illegally dumped into the ocean through our rivers.
We can assume that more than 25,000 tons of waste is being disposed of each day at landfill sites throughout the country.
There are 137 official landfill sites in the country, and not all landfills have a weighbridge to provide a complete and comprehensive picture of the waste that gets buried in the landfills.
So, how much is going to landfills?
An estimation by waste management specialist Theng Lee Chong alongside Malaysia Plastic Manufacturers Association and Malaysia Plastic Recyclers Association a few years ago, produced the 2019 statistics showing an annual consumption of 3.5 million tons of plastics, based on the resin consumption statistics, plastic product imports, and others.
SW Corp also presented data that about 1.5 million tons of plastic waste were disposed into landfill sites.
The question now lies in the remaining 2 million tons of plastic waste – perhaps we can only assume that this amount is disposed of into the ocean and landfills.
Educate Malaysians to practice ‘recycle, reduce, reuse’
The concept of recycling, reducing, and reusing (3R) has been added to our school syllabus, thus education has been considered to be in place. However, whether it is practised in our daily lives is another issue.
There are also many sporadic campaigns on recycling, and recycling bins have been placed around shopping malls and places frequented by the public.
It has been over 20 years since these programmes were launched. Citizens are most certainly aware of the urgency of cutting down on generating waste, but just being aware is not enough.
The government cannot do this alone. The waste concessionaires should do this.
Awareness is there but the attitude is absent. Many Malaysians still dispose of their waste improperly, such as littering, illegal dumping, and discarding trash in rivers – contributing only to the exacerbation of the problem.
Waste is a responsibility. It is not a monetary gain. If everyone is only monetarily focused, then waste materials of less value will be neglected.
Generally, Malaysia still applies the carrot approach to 3R, for instance, voluntarism and incentives. This will not help in the long run, and it is probably time for everyone to shift from the carrot to cane, meaning from voluntary to mandatory.
Leveraging on tech, innovation to improve waste management
The Waste Management Master Plan has covered all elements of waste management with a comprehensive document that covers from womb to tomb.
However, we still lack political muscle to drive waste management in the best direction. As the waste management business is still seen as very primitive, indeed all it will take is proper enforcement and practice to improve things.
Economic, social implications of poor waste management
– The daily practice of burying waste contaminates land that takes more than 25 years to rehabilitate. If landfills keep expanding, this will only contribute to global warming, as there will be less condensation causing less rainfall.
– Land lots designated as landfills could be used for better things like football fields, futsal courts and playgrounds instead.
– The groundwater is polluted, thus affecting soil conditions. This will in turn cause issues in the food stream and agriculture industry.
Long-term solutions to reduce waste, promote sustainable waste management
– Early education is vital whilst circular economy is vital. Waste must be separated at the source itself. Centralise waste management from state to federal.
– Tighten waste disposal laws, making them stringent and punitive. Littering practice must be stopped at its source through effective laws, thus creating greater awareness and enough legal muscle to combat this ongoing issue.
– Waste management will never see the light without proper waste separation centres, more transfer stations, and a concerted program for recycling through proper education programmes. WTE facilities and adequate and punitive laws to curb pollution and littering.
– ESG is not merely a conference topic or consultant lingo. It has to be implemented in every company, local authority and city hall, to ensure something effective is being done.
– Concessionaires should prioritise societal impact over profits, aiming to lead rather than follow in waste management. Companies in dire need of effective waste management solutions should strive to be proactive contributors to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Malaysia’s prolonged discourse on waste management ethics and education, encapsulated by the 3R approach, must transition from mere words to decisive action.
It’s time to wield the cane of enforcement, penalising those who flout regulations. Every citizen, business, and entity in our society must comply with waste management rules to ensure a cleaner future.
Recycling must become a norm in every household, with waste segregation and recycling of recyclable materials becoming mandatory.
Landfills must be phased out, and replaced by efficient incinerators. There should be no debate on their placement – they are indispensable, like AI in modern life, essential for a cleaner, brighter nation.
The Housing and Local Government Ministry as well as local authorities have studied enough. It is time for action, not more study tours.
We must adopt a new, proactive approach to align with sustainable goals, like our neighbour Singapore, which has excelled in waste management.
It is time for Malaysia to graduate from kindergarten to a PhD in waste management. – May 23, 2024
Seasoned public relations practitioner Ravindran Raman Kutty has extensive experience in communications in various sectors including waste management, ports, rail and logistics