Attitude Of Malaysian On Recycling Of Municipal Solid Waste: Case Studies In The Major Towns Of The East Coast And North Malaysia
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Date
2008
Authors
Omran Ali, Abdelnaser
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Abstract
Solid waste management in Malaysia has become a challenging task in recent
years due to population growth, industrialization and an increase in quantity and
variation in the types of waste generated. Suitable disposal sites are becoming difficult
to obtain and most of the existing ones are nearly exhausted. The government has
promoted recycling programmes through various campaigns however little has been
achieved due to the lack of participation and lukewarm attitudes of the Malaysian. This
research identified the attitudes of Malaysian towards recycling of municipal solid wastes
and factors associated with these through quantitative and qualitative approaches. The
main objectives were to determine the current situation of solid waste recycling and
households' participation as well as perception about the recycling campaigns carried
out by the Malaysian government in 1993 and 2000. A postal questionnaire survey was
administered to 3750 respondents in the major towns of the east-coast and the northern
part of Peninsula Malaysia between August 2005 and January 2007, yielding a response
rate of 99.3%. This was followed by personal interviews with representatives of the
Ministry of Housing and Local Government, Municipal Councils as well as private sector
(Alam Flora Sdn Bhd). Data were analysed statistically using the Statistical Package for
Social Sciences (SPSS) software programme (Version11.5). Results indicated that most
respondents in the major towns of the east-coast and the northern part of Malaysia were
aware of the recycling of solid wastes. However, the study found that an overwhelming
proportion of the respondents (92%) in the east-coast and 87.3% in northern part
disagreed with the current recycling campaigns and 89.7% considered that the
campaigns were ineffective in changing respondents' attitudes. One main reason given
for not recycling was "the lack of facilities" or the "inability to locate the recycling
centres". Thus, a large percentage of respondents (93.8%), in both part ranked "provide
recycling bins in every residential area" as one of the most effective way of boosting
recycling activities. A clear message from the study was that respondent participation
can significantly be improved if adequate recycling facilities are provided. These
facilities must be strategically located and be within easy reach. With regard to
enforcement of law to increase recycling activities an interesting result was obtained.
Whilst more than 80% of the east-coast respondents supported the idea, only 41 % in the
northern part agreed to it. In line with the views of the Ministry of Housing and Local
Government, Municipal Councils and Alam Flora Sdn Bhd who also agreed to it, the
imposition of law was proposed as one of the key strategies to promote recycling in the
future. Clear goals, more efficient awareness programmes and campaigns, enhanced
and more reliable recycling services and facilities, and enforcement need to be
established. It is suggested that concerted efforts by all parties, people and authorities
have to be established as they are the key parameters to the future success of recycling
in Malaysia.
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Keywords
Solid waste management , Challenging task