A S Malaysia’s population reaches 35.6 million, the nation grapples with escalating solid waste issues. In 2021, daily waste production hit an astonishing 38,427 metric tonnes—enough to fill the iconic Petronas Twin Towers every week.

By 2022, the volume of municipal solid waste soared to 14 million metric tonnes annually.

This increase aligns with Malaysia’s rapid urbanisation and economic growth, introducing significant sustainability hurdles.

Forecasts predict waste generation could climb to 19 million tonnes by 2050.

The complexity of waste management in Malaysia is exacerbated by its significant role as an importer of plastic waste, particularly after China’s 2018 ban on such imports.

In 2022, Malaysia imported over 350,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste, mainly from the United States, complicating its waste management efforts.

Last year, Malaysia was the fifth-largest global importer of plastic waste at approximately 403,453 tonnes, leading Asian countries in this regard, with Chinese Taipei and Thailand following.  

Moreover, Malaysia ranks highest among 109 countries in microplastic consumption, with particles smaller than 5mm.

It is also among the top ten nations for microplastic inhalation, with an estimated exposure of 494,000 particles per person per day.

A study from June, published in the Environmental Science and Technology Journal, revealed that each Malaysian ingests an average of 502.3mg of microplastics daily.

Waste management and renewable energy

Currently, Malaysia predominantly uses landfills to manage waste, with 82% of waste disposed of in this manner.

Landfills are still the primary method of managing solid wastes in Malaysia, and according to the National Solid Waste Department, Malaysia currently has 165 landfills, eight sanitary landfills and three inert landfills for materials such as sand and concrete.

This reliance on landfills is unsustainable, with projections indicating potential exhaustion of landfill space by 2050.

In an innovative push towards sustainable development, Malaysia is turning to waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies, aiming to transform everyday refuse into valuable energy resources.

Termed as ‘trash to treasure,’ this process involves burning residual waste—material that would typically end up in landfills—to generate steam, electricity, or hot water.

This energy conversion is facilitated through a variety of methods such as combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion and landfill gas recovery, making it a versatile solution to waste management.

The produced electricity is channeled into the national grid, serving households and businesses alike, while the generated steam and hot water are supplied to industries, aiding in their production processes and building climate control.

This approach is integral to fostering a circular economy, where resources are utilised to their fullest extent, sharply contrasting with the traditional linear economy’s ‘make, use, dispose’ model.

The circular economy not only minimises the environmental footprint of energy production but also positions Malaysia to better tackle future resource scarcity.

As part of this strategic shift, the government has announced plans to establish six WTE plants by 2025.

These facilities are expected to significantly cut down waste volumes while supplementing the country’s energy matrix.

However, the deployment of these technologies is not without its challenges.

They demand considerable investments and necessitate thorough considerations of their environmental and health impacts.

The success of such initiatives will depend on careful planning and sustained commitment to both economic viability and environmental stewardship

Corporate and community engagement

Corporate organisations such as AEON and Kloth Cares play pivotal roles in advancing sustainable waste management practices.

AEON has established extensive waste management policies across its retail locations, while Kloth Cares has significantly contributed to fabric recycling and bolstering the circular economy.

Businesses can enhance their waste management strategies by conducting thorough waste audits, initiating recycling programmes and adopting principles of the circular economy.

Investing in technologies that convert waste into resources, educating employees about sustainability and fostering collaborations with suppliers and local communities are crucial actions.

Moreover, ensuring regulatory compliance and fostering transparency through consistent monitoring and reporting can boost operational efficiency, cut costs and enhance corporate reputation.

These measures not only support environmental sustainability but also lead to improved business performance overall.

Moving towards a circular economy

Malaysia is working to address its escalating waste crisis by transitioning from a linear to a circular economy, as outlined in the 12th Malaysia Plan.

This strategy sets ambitious recycling targets and integrates waste prevention, reuse, recycling, recovery and disposal into the national framework.

To further promote sustainable practices, the government is considering financial incentives for businesses and consumers who actively participate in waste reduction.

The government is actively considering financial incentives to encourage businesses and consumers to reduce waste.

Potential incentives include subsidies for recycling technologies, tax benefits for businesses that meet waste reduction benchmarks and support for innovative projects that promote the circular economy.

Alongside these financial measures, educational initiatives and public advocacy play a crucial role in shifting societal attitudes and behaviours regarding waste management.

The government is ramping up its efforts to educate the public about the 3R principles—reduce, reuse, recycle—through extensive educational campaigns and community engagement programmes.

These initiatives aim to foster a proactive approach to waste reduction among citizens.

Challenges and the path forwards

Despite comprehensive strategies, challenges remain, including lax enforcement of waste separation laws and the need for stronger single-use plastics and e-waste policies.

Concerns about the health impacts of new WTE facilities, due to non-compliance with World Health Organization (WHO) air quality standards, highlight the need for effective enforcement and transparent governance.

Overcoming these challenges requires ensuring that policies are reinforced by effective enforcement and characterised by transparent and accountable governance.

As Malaysia stands at a pivotal juncture in its waste management practices, leveraging advanced technologies and adopting a holistic approach are essential.

By transforming its current waste management crisis into an opportunity for sustainable growth and innovation, Malaysia can preserve its natural beauty and ensure a healthier environment for future generations.

This strategic pivot is crucial for Malaysia’s journey toward becoming a regional leader in environmental stewardship.

Tina Thomas specialises in strategic planning and sustainable growth, with areas of interest in innovation and transformation.

With over 15 years of experience in the energy industry, she has a global track record in crafting and implementing corporate strategies focused on sustainability.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/30/malaysias-roadmap-to-sustainability