International Conference on Business Management and Information Technology

12-13, December 2013, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Municipal solid waste management in Malaysia: the way forward

Associate Professor Dr. Seow Ta Wee
Faculty of Technology Management & Business Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia

Introduction
Rapid urbanization in Malaysia> increase in population (27 m) Waste generation 2% annually. In 2012, 25,000 tonnes per day> 1.5kg/person/day.

Composition of waste
18% 6% 7% 45% Food Waste Plastics Paper Metals Glass & Others 24%

Component of MSW management

Generation

SW from households / commercial Sorting waste

Scheduling of compactors or trucks for waste collection Providing bins for recyclables Transportation of waste to sites for transfer, recovery or disposal Secondary sorting of waste, e.g. plastic, glass, paper & aluminum Treatment and recovery of other waste streams Landfilling or incineration Environmental management

Collection

Transport

Recovery / Treatment

Disposal

Plan and Strategic on SWM

Action Plan for a Beautiful and Clean Malaysia (ABC) in 1988 under Technical Section, Ministry of Housing and Local Government
> Objective of ABC
To establish by the year 2010 a municipal solid waste management system to cover the whole of Malaysia and that are uniform, cost-effective, environmentally sound and socially acceptable procedures to enhancing further the image of Malaysia in terms of its beauty and cleanliness.

1st Recycling Programme Day in 1993 failure

 The 2nd National Recycling Programme was officially launched by the Minister of Housing and Local Government on 2 December 2000 at the Mid Valley Shopping Mall. Various parties, such as Local Authorities, concessionary companies, NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs), private companies, Institutions of Higher Education and schools took part in the programme. The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (MHLG) has designated 11 November as National Recycling Day. At present, the recycling rate in Malaysia is 5%. This is comparatively low compared with developed countries such as Germany (74%), Belgium (71%), Austria (67%), and the Netherlands (66%). The Ministry of Housing and Local Government aims to achieve a recycling rate of 22% by the year 2020. In ensuring that the desired goals of the recycling programme are achieved, an effective implementation of the 3R concepts and practices in solid waste management is therefore crucial.

 Objective of 2nd Recycling Programme

to inculcate into Malaysian population the habit of recycling and 3R

Target
to achieve physical target of 1 % increase of solid waste being recycle each year. Stabilization and reduction of per capita waste generated over some measurable years

Privatization of Solid Waste and Public Cleansing since 1995

Alam Flora Sdn.Bhd > Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya & Pahang SWM Environment Sdn Bhd > Johor, Melaka & Negeri Sembilan Environment Idaman Sdn Bhd > Kedah & Perlis

National SWM Policy

AIMS a)To establish a solid waste management system which is holistic, integrated, cost effective, sustainable and acceptable to the community that emphasizes the conservation of the environment, selection of affordable technology and ensuring public health" b)To implement solid waste management based on the waste hierarchy which emphasizes waste minimization through 3R, intermediate treatment and final disposal.

OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVE 1:A solid waste management that is integrated and cost effective, which includes collection, transportation, intermediate treatment and disposal; OBJECTIVE 2:Minimization of solid wastes from the domestic, commercial, industries, institutions community and construction through 3R OBJECTIVE 3:Services that are efficient and cost effective through privatization; OBJECTIVE 4:Selection of technologies that are proven, affordable in terms of CAPEX and OPEX, and environmentally friendly; OBJECTIVE 5:Ensure conservation of the environment and public health OBJECTIVE 6:Establish institutional and legal framework for solid waste management

The Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672)
The Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) was gazetted on 30th August 2007 and was enforced on 1st September 2011. It was enacted to ensure the uniformity of law relating to the management of solid waste and public cleansing throughout Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.

Act 672 makes it mandatory for all operators of solid waste and public cleansing management services as well as facilities to apply license from the Director General of the National Solid Waste Management Department. The Act also specifies that a prior written approval from the Director General of the National Solid Waste Management Department before any construction or alteration or closure of prescribed solid waste management facilities. Act 672 also covers the following: i. Control of solid waste generators and persons in possession of controlled solid waste; ii. Enforcement; and iii. Reduction and recovery of controlled solid waste.

 Act 672 empowers the Federal Government to take over the management of solid waste and public cleansing from the Local Authorities (LAs) throughout Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territories of Putrajaya and Labuan. The implementation of Act 672 and its related regulations on solid waste and public cleansing management will trigger a major change in the modus operandi of solid waste and public cleansing management in Malaysia. Upon Act 672 coming into force, all works on solid waste and public cleansing management will be fully undertaken by The Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (PPSPPA). This involves the immediate takeover of responsibilities of solid waste and public cleansing management from all LAs. This is because the LAs will no longer have jurisdiction over the collection and disposal of garbage, as well as cleansing of public roads, public places, public toilets and drains. PPSPPA will assume the management and operation of all landfill sites under the LAs, including identifying and evaluating sanitary landfills, transfer stations, incineration technologies, and plant management.

National Solid Waste Management Department (JPSPN)

National Solid Waste Management Department (JPSPN) which is to integrate solid waste management system at the national level was established under the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672).

This Act Gives the executive authority to the Federal Government to carry out the responsibilities on the management of solid waste and public cleansing.
Before the establishment of JPSPN, SWM function is located within the Engineering Division of Environmental Health and Project Implementation Division, Department of Local Government (JKT), KPKT. With the passing of Act 672 and Act 673, this function is Transferred to JPSPN and the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (PPSPPA).

The Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (PPSPPA)

The Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (PPSPPA) was established to complement and ensure the successful implementation of the National Solid Waste Management Policy. In general, the policy aims to provide a comprehensive, integrated, cost-effective, and sustainable solid waste management system in line with society's demand for environmental conservation and public well-being. The Corporation was established under the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation Act 2007 (Act 673). The Corporation commenced operation on 1st June 2008 under the purview of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (MHLG). It has the power to administer and enforce solid waste and public cleansing management laws and matters related thereto. The role of the Corporation is to ensure that solid waste and public cleansing management services will be more efficient and integrated, as well as meeting consumers expectations.

The Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672)

National Solid Waste Management Department (JPSPN) National Solid Waste Management Department (JPSPN)

The Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (PPSPPA)

Challenges..
Recycling programme

Knowledge about the 3 Colours of Recycle Bins

Answer
Yes No Total

Saw
332 (87%) 51 (13%) 383 (100%)

Used
130 (39%) 202 (61%) 332 (100%) 59 % - used them for more than 3 months, 34 % - used them within a month

Knowledge regarding recycle programme:

-16 percent respondents (63 respondents) knew the existence of recycle programme in their area. - 31 respondents from that amount knew of recycle programme schedule - only 19 respondents participated in the recycling programme.

8 % - used them daily

Reasons for Non-participation

Reasons
Dont want to practice

%
26

Recycling programme as burden

Activities recycling is unbeneficial Not now to know it Not my responsible Dont know the programmes schedule Busy with work Lack of information Dont have recycling programme

15
12 21 10 5 7 3 1

Distribution of Recycling Information

Reason for Dissemination of Recycling Information
Reasons
Practicing a good activity Love an environmental Be thrifty The call by government Be a good man Easy to practice Recycling start form us

%
30 17 13 7 5 7 6

Be as example
Be as example Ours responsible

7
7 8

Distribution of Recycling Information

Reasons Non-Dissemination of Recycling Information
Reasons
Dont want to practice Schools responsible to teach Recycling made me in a trouble Unbeneficial Is not my responsible

%
61 13 7 5 6

Never discuss this issue

Inadequate information

5
3

 Current practices... > education in school > no plastic bag in shopping mall > 1 + 2 programme > Free dust bin

Challenges..
Scavenger (informal player)

Recycling is a thriving industry -Industry value is estimated at RM476mil in 2005 and more than RM600mil in 2011 -There is already an establish informal recycling network that covers every part of the SWM value chain from storage to disposal

 Like others countries, scavengers in Malaysia have two types, there are work as permanent and part time job, 30 % of the scavenger work as full time job and others are park time. 15 % of respondents are work in landfill or dump site, 19% in road site, 21 % in institution and 45 % are freelance to collect the recyclable material in anywhere (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Percentage of Scavenger Category

15%

LANDFILL
45% 19%

ROADSIDE INSTITUTION

21%

FREELANCE

Based on the studied, the challenges of scavenger in Malaysia could be concluded into below phenomena: Scavengers in Malaysia play the importance role in the formal and informal solid waste management especially in term of waste minimization. Activities of scavenging have done full time and part time work for some interest parties in Malaysia. Scavengers in Malaysia are exposed to the hazardous and unhealthy work place environment. Scavengers do not know they have to register with local authority to get the license in their daily activities. Scavengers urgently needed the training regarding with safety and health at work places. The values (price) of the recyclable material depend on the global market price therefore will affect scavengers monthly income.

Challengers..
Landfill Highly dependent on landfills : 165 operational landfills across Malaysia catering to 95% of Malaysian waste Only 8 sanitary landfills operational and 11 more under various stages of implementation & construction Many landfills are reaching design capacity; environmental challenges in closing landfill and land scarcity in opening new ones

 Very limited treatment facilities : 1 REFUSE DERIVED FACILITIY (RDF): WTE PLANT 4 mini incinerator under various stages of implementation on Langkawi, Tioman, Pangkor, & Cameron Highlands

Challenges ..
Environmental and Health Issue

Challenges
Management of Solid Waste is a high cost to the government 40-80% - LA expenditure on solid waste & public cleansing RM14.80 - Cost of SWM Services per premise

Challenges
Lack of data variety > planning ?

Overcome..
Environmental education > awareness One stop centre > data information, services, consultation. Involving Public in MSW decision making. Review policy / Act / Regulation > suitable and meet the current scenario Involve informal sector (scavenger) in policy Development of landfill or solid waste management facilities must comply to Environmental Quality Act 1974

 Improving quality of cleansing services; Decision support system > analysis / data management > need for current and accurate data for future planning; Enforcement of regulation; Ensure that adoption of technology suitable for local solid waste management; Energy & Conservation of resources > product recovery; raw material usage..

 Political well > equity between communities or interest group , public acceptance; Improving Environmental and health aspect in MSW management Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) strategic based on local scenario. Research & innovation : technology development, product etc.. Business approach: products ; market potential? National Carbon Disclosure Programme

International Conference on Business Management and Information Technology

12-13, December 2013, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Thank you !