Sanitary landfill is a solution in solid waste management or a silent threat to environment: Malaysian scenario

Abstract

In Malaysia, the population is increasing at a rapid rate reaching 32.6 million in 2019. This hasresulted in a tremendous amount of solid wastes being generated which was estimated as about38,200 tons per day (1.12 kg/cap/day), in 2018 enough to fill the Twin Towers every seven days.82.5% of which is disposed of in landfills. If not managed properly landfills can cause detrimentaleffects to environment, humans and aquatic world. Most of the landfills in Malaysia are lagging withadequate facilities. This paper encompasses the sections of history of solid waste management inMalaysia from 1970 to present, followed by some alarming and dreadful cases of pollution due toill management of landfills and lastly some of the substantial measures to combat with the acuteproblem of solid waste focussing on the responsibilities of government, manufacturer and user.Whether it be creating awareness among people and implementing laws,3R strategy or thinkingbefore throwing all play vial role in solid waste management. Collective and consistent effort isessential to achieve Malaysia’s targeted recycling rate of 22% by 2020 and hence achievingMalaysian vision with greater advancement towards a zero-waste nation.