Author: Chook Jia Wei and Arockia E J Ferdin
Plastic waste mismanagement at Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. 📸 credit: Chook Jia Wei
Plastics and us
Plastic is not just around us; it's in our bodies, the food we eat, and the water we drink. Managing plastic waste properly can help reduce its negative impacts on every form of life on Earth. Did you know that each person in Malaysia uses about 16 kilograms of plastic packaging every year? That’s the highest rate in Southeast Asia.
Globally, Malaysia is ranked eighth in plastic waste mismanagement, contributing significantly to marine pollution. Our policies haven’t been strong enough, and our recycling systems need improvement. Practices such as open dumping, littering, and open burning are common due to the government's challenges in managing plastic waste on a large scale.
Plastic pollution pose a serious threat to our health and the health of our environment.
Yet, there's hope, as local NGOs and communities are becoming increasingly aware of the issues associated with plastics.
For example, residential associations in Petaling Jaya and Damansara have taken initiatives into their own hands by setting up recycling stations in their neighbourhoods. They've also organised workshops to repurpose plastics within their community.
plastic waste management and the locals
As a resident of Kuala Lumpur, I’ve witnessed the challenges we face with plastic waste management. I have been practising a zero-waste lifestyle for years and often educate my family and friends about the concept, encouraging them to refuse plastics in the first place. During my master’s studies in Taiwan, I realised that public support is crucial in shaping policies to beat plastic pollution. Policies without understanding community preferences are likely to fail in achieving their intended goals.
Communities play a vital role in plastic waste management in Malaysia. I was motivated to understand which management strategies communities prefer to assist policymakers in managing plastic waste, hoping that it will contribute to Malaysia’s goal of achieving zero single-use plastics by 2030.
Our study explored Kuala Lumpur residents' preferences for plastic waste management. We found that:
83% do not separate waste at home.
78% are not satisfied with the way contractors manage plastic waste.
64% do not agree with the current education system regarding plastic waste management.
The local communities have not been given opportunities and facilities to separate waste at home, which is very similar to other Southeast Asian countries. This indicates that our respondents were clearly not satisfied with the way contractors handle waste in Malaysia. One significant point of dissatisfaction is the effectiveness of education in plastic waste management. This suggests that the exam-oriented Malaysian education system is not prioritising environmental education to empower the next generation.
the study on plastic waste management
We identified one group, likely to be comprised of individuals of Chinese ethnicity, who favoured zero-waste lifestyle workshops, collaborations between residential associations, and involving residential associations and plastic recycling companies for campaign collaboration. They also support banning single-use plastics at academic institutions, religious centres, and governmental agencies. Another group favoured a ban on single-use plastics in local markets and restaurants.
Together, our findings inform local communities’ preferences and public perceptions that assist policymakers in designing effective policies that garner public support. As Malaysia is a multicultural country, identifying these preferences is crucial for targeting communities for effective plastic waste management supported by the local communities.
Plastics are among the highest amount of trash collected during the International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICC) in Terengganu in 2023.
Arockia E J Ferdin, one of the lead authors of this paper, suggests that local communities, especially the younger generation, need to adopt a zero-waste lifestyle. This approach is key to learning, leading, and educating the elderly and local communities to embrace the zero-waste lifestyle, thereby raising awareness about the impacts of plastic pollution.
Our study provides policy recommendations that include:
Encouraging residential associations to create plastic-free backyards.
Organising workshops about waste separation at the local level.
Making recycling more accessible for the public by providing essential infrastructure.
Designing and promoting waste separation guidelines in English, Malay, Chinese, and Tamil languages to reach a broader range of households.
Developing a plastic waste management plan for Kuala Lumpur.
While the urbanisation of Kuala Lumpur provides opportunities for people to move in and work, changes in consumption behaviour and urban lifestyle pose additional challenges for the local government in handling plastic waste. Can the city of Kuala Lumpur overcome these challenges and become a role model for other capital cities in Southeast Asia?
Our study offers comprehensive insights into plastic waste management rooted in locals' preferences that could assist local government authorities and policymakers in effectively designing and implementing plastic waste management strategies. However, we believe every individual plays a crucial role in eliminating plastic pollution from our lives and the environment.
For further reading, please refer to the readable link: https://rdcu.be/ds31t
Article link: Chook, J.W., Ferdin, A.E.J. & Lee, CH. Unmasking Malaysian preferences for effective plastic waste management: a choice experiment approach. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 26, 512–528 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-023-01850-1
For more information, you may contact the authors: Chook Jia Wei (christina.c25@outlook.com) and Arockia E J Ferdin (ferdin90@protonmail.com)
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