A review of Malaysia solid waste management policies to improve recycling practice and waste separation among households

Abstract

Households are the primary source that contributes to the municipal solid waste and thus, it is well justified that they should be targeted in waste recycling policies for the improvement of recycling rates in this nation. Aware of the significant role among the household, Malaysia has taken a series of initiative to improve the national policies for solid waste management to foster waste separation practices among household. These waste management policies focused on waste separation and waste recycling behaviour among households in Malaysia. This is because a well-managed and planned waste policy is one of the vital factors that will enhance waste separation and recycling behaviour among households. This paper attempts to summarise the waste management policies in Malaysia, chronologically and summarise the solid waste management and transformation plans in a timeline table for the ease of reference among future researcher and policymaker. This is to provide them with a better understanding of the progression of waste management policies and regulations in Malaysia.