Norliza Hashim |
BY KHIRTINI K KUMARAN
IN MALAYSIA , waste management remains a significant challenge . Despite being a country with rapid economic development , public participation in environmental issues and sustainable waste management practices is severely low . Malaysia has introduced many waste management strategies and initiatives to minimise waste , but it has resulted in little or no changes . The Malaysian government recently approved the development of the secondary raw material ( SRM ) resource recovery industry , intended to transition the waste management industry into resource recovery and reprocessing .
The success of this critical transition of the waste management sector with establishing an SRM resource recovery industry lies in stakeholder engagement and consensus .
The ‘ Resource Recovery and the Development of a Secondary Raw Materials Industry ’ panel discussion , moderated by Circular Economy Malaysia CEO Adrienna Zsakay , discussed the challenges with waste management strategies and the prospect of the SRM resource recovery industry .
Public attitude and participation
KDEB Waste Management ( KDEBWM ) Managing Director Ramli Mohd Tahir shared : “ For five to 10 years , waste generated in Malaysia has been on an increasing trend . However , the recycling rate has not changed much and remained relatively low .”
“ The Malaysian lifestyle and consumption habit is responsible for the waste generation . But when it comes to recycling , we are very irresponsible .”
He also highlighted the ‘ not bothered ’ attitude among the public and said : “ The
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‘ not in my backyard ’ syndrome is very prevalent . As long as it is not in their space , they will dump garbage everywhere .
“ This is the root of the problem which the government and private sector have to tackle first .”
Household recycling practice is another aspect that Malaysia has failed to instil , according to Norliza Hashim , CEO of Urbanice Malaysia .
“ We have been trying to make waste management easy and friendly in households , but it is something that we are not able to do all these years .
The Petra Group Chairman and Group CEO Datuk Dr Vinod Sekhar said : “ In Malaysia , we have fundamental problems ; education . Let ’ s not talk about anything else if we cannot educate our children , secondary school and university students , about the circular economy .
“ Only once they understand the circular economy will they understand the value and opportunities available in recycling and SRM resource recovery .”
Recycling and SRM profit opportunities
It was highlighted that there are plenty of profit opportunities in the recycling and SRM resource recovery industry .
Vinod said : “ We are the largest modular technology company , and we make sustainable homes using recycled materials , and we make significant money from it .”
He , however , agreed that there was an issue with policy and law enforcement in Malaysia .
“ It does not matter which government party is in power . They love introducing new policies and initiatives and will spend on the latest and state of the art stuff . But it is then forgotten and not enforced .
“ If these laws are enforced so that the public and industries will have to use SRMs , then there is margin for everyone to make a profit and the environment gains .
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“ But since the laws and initiatives are not enforced , we are just playing catching up and will never get there .”
Without an appropriate policy and inadequate waste legislation enforcement , it hinders the implementation an integrated waste management system in Malaysia and the economic opportunity .
The recycling and SRM resource recovery industry can only be seen as a continuous profit-making opportunity through appropriate and enforceable policy .
Stakeholder engagement
The government ’ s target to reduce waste disposal and encourage waste recovery needs the support and participation of various stakeholders . However , this may be easier said than done .
Norliza explained : “ For many years , we have had many policies and have engaged with stakeholders each time . When you want to engage with stakeholders again , they are tired .
“ They want to know why they are being engaged again since they have not seen any results thus far .
“ We need to have a clear objective and endgame outlined if we were to try to get their full involvement and support again .
She also stressed that stakeholders must be informed of the benefits and value of SRM resource recovery to the economy and environment .
Regarding relevant stakeholders , Norliza explained : “ Communities and the city councils are high on my list .
“ Communities are direct contributors towards waste generation , and whether they are formal or informal recyclers , they should be part of the stakeholder engagement .
“ Meanwhile , the city councils are the ones at the frontlines answering to complaints , no matter who is collecting the waste .” — @ Green
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