Towards a Cleaner Environment: A study on the Potential Utilization of Solid Waste as Fertilizer and Energy Sources in Malaysia

As the world seeks a cleaner environment there is constant need to continually seek new ways and methods to achieving sustainable practices. Solid waste generation is one of the major challenges for Malaysia to address in the light of her Vision 2020 as preventing and managing waste is in the hub of sustainable development. Malaysia, like most other developing countries, is facing uncontrolled increase in solid waste generation due to economic growth and industrialization but the waste disposal practices poses a serious threat to achieving vision 2020. The average amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in Malaysia is about 0.5–1.7 kg/person/day, where about 17,000 tonnes of municipal solid wastes are generated in Peninsular Malaysia daily which is estimated to increase to more than 30,000 tonnes per day in the year 2020. Literature shows that Malaysia’s major waste management approaches is landfill. About 95% of the wastes collected are sent to landfill with little recycling activities. Composting is not a common practice in Malaysia’s waste management where the main component of the Malaysian MSW is food materials which contribute about 45% of the total waste generated by weight. Based on the waste composition, composting enhancement is proposed as an addition to other approaches. Similarly, the second main component of municipal solid waste in Malaysia is plastic - 24% and waste papers 7% which holds a great potential for incineration. Sustainable waste management is the ability to utilize resources more efficiently; thus the conversion of most solid waste to fertilizer or fuel for energy plants can help protect and sustain the environment for clean and better living. This paper looks into the potential of utilizing solid waste as resource for fertilizer or energy production in Malaysia. The study also discusses mechanical/biological treatment of waste as a separation process of municipal solid waste into components, thus channeling the different component to a more sustainable treatment approach thereby reducing the amount of waste that is sent to landfill.