In any civilization, solid waste management in Malaysia is a crucial service. But let’s start with a description of the material being managed—solid waste—before introducing the procedure.

Solid waste is any type of trash that is abandoned as undesired and pointless and comes from both human and animal activity. A given area’s industrial, residential, and commercial activities produce solid waste, which can be managed in a number of different ways. As a result, landfills are often divided into four categories: sanitary, municipal, construction and demolition, and industrial waste sites.

No matter where it comes from, what it contains, or how hazardous it could be, solid waste needs to be handled in a systematic way to follow environmental best practises. Environmental planning must take solid waste management into account because it is an important component of environmental hygiene.

Purpose for Waste Management Malaysia

In order to promote economic growth and a higher standard of living, the main objective of solid waste management is to minimise and eliminate the harmful effects that waste products have on the environment and human health. To keep expenses down and avoid waste buildup, this should be completed as quickly as feasible.

1. What is solid waste management and why is it important?

According to Britannica , solid waste management in Malaysia-  the collecting, treating, and disposing of solid material that is discarded because it has served its purpose or is no longer useful. Unsanitary circumstances brought on by improper municipal solid waste disposal can result in environmental contamination and epidemics of vector-borne diseases, which are illnesses spread by rodents and insects. The handling of solid waste involves intricate technical issues. They also present a wide range of management and solution challenges in the areas of administration, economy, and society.

Importance of solid waste management in Malaysia

The reason solid waste management in your community is so crucial is that it will shield your home from the dangers associated with solid trash. You may truly safeguard both the environment and your loved ones by properly disposing of this debris. This implies that both your children and your grandkids can enjoy the benefits of nature. A community that recognises this significance can work together to protect the environment in your city. Since this affects not just you individually but also the coming generation.

2. Types of solid waste

-Proper Management of Household Hazardous Waste for Household Hazardous Waste (HHW).

-Debris from Construction and Demolition – Information on Debris from Construction and Demolition.

-Waste from Industry and Commerce – Information about Waste from Industry and Commerce

-Fluorescent lamps are considered both general trash and hazardous garbage.

-Information on medical waste that is subject to regulation in the state of New York.

-Used electronic equipment – As technology develops at a rapid rate, electronic equipment quickly becomes obsolete. When it comes to the reuse, recycling, and disposal of used electronic equipment, NYSDEC offers regulatory information and advice.

-Used Oil – Details on how used oil is regulated in the state of New York.

-Tire Fires – Information about tyre fires and background information on waste tyre stockpiles.

3. How does the city collect and dispose of solid waste?

Here I picked the example of city Detroit as our reference..

The city of Detroit is committed to protecting the environment and public health by collectsolid waste in a safe and efficient manner. The City provides two types of collection services for residential homes: refuse and recycling.
Refuse is collected weekly from every household by automated trucks. Recycling is picked up every other week on the same day as refuse, but using a separate truck. To learn more about our solid waste collection services, please visit our website or call us at 311.
All items collected are taken to the disposal sites where they’re compacted and disposed of properly. These items include hazardous waste, medical waste, bulky wastes like appliances and furniture, e-waste like old computers and so on.

4. Challenges with solid waste management

Inadequate funding, outdated infrastructure and technology, a lack of public understanding of hygienic procedures, and insufficient legal and regulatory framework are the key obstacles facing garbage management.

The typical composition of garbage at the source was assessed to be 38% recyclable (paper, plastic, glass, and metal), 51% organic fraction (OF), and 11% residual. The waste content varies significantly among the various generator types, with up to 60% of residential waste being organic at the point of generation.

My personal take:

The main obstacle of solid waste management is the cost. Waste disposal and recycling are expensive, and many cities don’t have the budget to properly manage their waste.

Another obstacle is public opinion. Many people view waste disposal as a necessary evil, and they don’t want their city to spend money on it. They would rather see that money go towards other things like schools or parks.

Finally, there’s the challenge of inertia. It’s hard to change people’s habits, especially when it comes to something as mundane as trash. It can be difficult to get them to recycle or compost when they’re used to just throwing everything away in one big pile.

5. How can citizens help to improve the system?

There are many ways that citizens can help to improve the system. One way is to vote for representatives who share your values and who will work to implement legislation that is beneficial for the people. You can also support organizations that advocate for civic engagement and democratic reform. Volunteering your time and resources to help others is another way to make a positive impact on society, and it’s a great way to build community. Lastly, staying informed about the issues and discussing them with your friends and family members is a valuable way to create change. Thank you for your question!

6. Future of solid waste management

Smart Waste Management In Malaysia

Technological advancements are where the future of waste management begins and continues. The waste management sector must develop its work field by being digitised and data-driven, just like every other industry. Future is competitive and clever! Businesses, in particular, must always remain one step ahead of the competition. The data is gathered over time as smart waste management in Malaysia‘s technologies are used. It is possible to identify fill patterns, improve driver routes and schedules, and cut operational expenses by using the data collected by hand sensors. As the price of these sensors continues to drop, smart bins are becoming more implementable and appealing to business owners and municipal officials.

To know the benefits of smart waste management: https://www.postingtree.com/what-is-smart-waste-management-and-benefits-of-it/

Finally, it is critical to emphasise that some nations urgently require better solid waste management strategies. Only half of the garbage produced in urban areas and 25% of that in rural regions is collected. Internationally, the World Bank issues a warning that, under a scenario of business as usual, global trash might rise by 70% between 2016 and 2050. 3 Continuous efforts to enhance the waste management system are crucial for maintaining a healthy ecological and human future.

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