Can Malaysia achieve zero waste in the near future? We talk about the common misconceptions stopping us from doing so and ways you can contribute towards that goal.
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30 Sep 2022
6 Min Read
Michelle Lee (Guest Contributor), Ailyn Low (Editor)
Can Malaysia achieve zero waste in the near future? We talk about the common misconceptions stopping us from doing so and ways you can contribute towards that goal.
You’re all wrong.
Zero waste doesn’t mean no waste. As defined by the Zero Waste International Alliance, zero waste is the process of designing and managing products to reduce the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, alongside conserving and recovering all resources, and not burning or burying them.
Realistically, zero waste is a goal that’s both pragmatic and visionary, to guide people to emulate sustainable natural cycles. That said, according to Zero Waste Malaysia, zero should always be a goal to strive towards, which means we should always be trying to improve and find ways to reduce waste to the very bottom that we can!
Question is: Is it possible for Malaysia to achieve a zero-waste society? Even if we could, what challenges are we encountering from doing so?
Without a doubt, one of the biggest challenges faced by many countries is the financial requirement. By investing in these large expenditures, the government would end up at the relevant authority requiring a financial commitment.
Because of this, many countries shy away from going zero-waste as the government isn’t willing to commit to investing in equipment or a waste management programme. However, countries should start seeing that the results in cost-saving methods would reflect in a long-term gain.
We need to understand that the results aren’t overnight, but overtime.
Waste streams contaminated by a lack of a proper and efficient waste management system would definitely see an increase in cost but why does this happen? Containers, plastic, glass, and any other suitable material in food waste can affect the quality of your recycling collections. This would occasionally lead to clogged systems or even mislocated materials in the recycling bins especially when not disposed off properly.
This unfixed, continuous contamination defeats the purpose of recycling as we’re, in return, producing and releasing potentially harmful substances to the public. Therefore, this calls for costly investments in good waste management systems by the government, which increases treatment costs and causes governments to back out from investing.
According to the National Recycling Rate, our country has increased over the last few years from 15.7% in 2015 to 31.52% in 2021. However, in comparison to other countries, it’s still relatively low.
Let’s take Singapore’s recycling rate into account, 52% in 2020 which rose to 55% in 2021. On the other hand, Germany (country with the highest recycling rate in the world!) has a recycling rate of 67% in 2020! Compared to both countries, Malaysia ranks the lowest in its recycling rate.
In Malaysia, we definitely still lack the awareness and urgency of doing something for the planet which is the reason for our low recycling rate!
Recent news shows the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) aims for Malaysia to achieve a 40% recycling rate by 2025.
There’s a lot of talk about recycling without understanding why we need to recycle in the first place. We don’t often ask ourselves enough, “What happens when waste cannot be recycled due to complexity, contamination, or confusion?”
Malaysian society’s lackadaisical attitude shouldn’t be taken too lightly as it’s the main reason why the use of plastic is still high in this country! We produce approximately 38,000 tonnes per day and it’s continuing to rise.
Zero Waste Malaysia advocates raising awareness and education in advocating for the movement, as people need to know WHY they should care.
To get policies created, support from producers, cooperation from the public, it’s a long process that takes continuous efforts! With that said, what are some ways which we can take for Malaysia to work towards a zero waste Lifestyle?
Instead of the ‘buy-use-throw’ culture, the zero waste lifestyle encourages people to think about what happens after? Can these items be reused? Recycled? Composted?
Waste doesn’t just disappear.
There are 2 types of composting: Aerobic composting & mixed municipal solid waste composting. Aerobic composting is comparatively better because it produces uncontaminated compost which eliminates pollution from the environment. How would this benefit us? Through clean compost, food waste, and other organics, methane emissions are significantly reduced.
Research shows that source separation is the key to an effective and sustainable waste management. Contaminated waste streams are the reason for ineffective and damaging collection systems. Therefore, awareness should be raised to local and regional governments to invest in improved waste collection services which can provide for uncontaminated waste streams.
For instance, having 4 bins (including organics, paper, recyclables, and residuals) would provide the best source for separating sources of waste. As a result, this would help Malaysia to achieve long term environmental and social benefits such as zero waste and uncontaminated waste streams.
Some of the easiest actions Malaysians can take collectively is adopting the first two steps of the 5R’s principle which is to reduce and refuse.
Have you heard of the consumption mindset and lifestyle? It basically means to refuse taking things you don’t need and reduce overall consumption. For example, refusing freebies at an event when you know you don’t need them and to reduce energy consumption by unplugging devices when not in use!
Education is key. Zero Waste Malaysia’s Trash Encyclopedia educates Malaysians on general household waste and what these items are made from, helping us understand why a lot of everyday waste is not recyclable and why we should apply these zero waste principles.
Of course, the involvement of scientists, researchers, and governments through research on inexpensive alternatives for sustainable living, zero waste tools, or the establishment of a community-based, scientific research centre to investigate solutions for residual waste will help continually improve zero-waste recovery methods!
Let’s not forget, other organisations, like Zero Waste Malaysia, pilot projects that involve circular thinking concepts and low waste solutions too. For instance, one of Zero Waste Malaysia’s upcoming initiatives is a nationwide zero waste challenge to encourage Malaysians to practise zero waste actions together as a community and address misconceptions that zero waste through Mission 30!
As culprits to the production of waste, we need to start taking responsibility for the waste we generate and take actions to reduce them. So, what do you say? Let’s strive for a zero waste community!
Michelle Lee Shu Ling is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) at Taylor’s University. Whilst being President of Taylor’s Model United Nations (TLMUN), and PR Director of the Taylor’s Mooting Society, she enjoys writing from time to time!