OVERVIEW ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANAEROBIC DIGESTION FOR KITCHEN WASTE IN MALAYSIA

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management has been highlighted by the Malaysian government as an important agenda in ensuring success full development of the country. Due to the fast growing urbanization and industrialization of the country, a tremendous increment of solid waste generation is an unavoidable occurrence. With increased levels of waste production, limited area for landfilling, and increased awareness of environmental impact, alternative methods for treatment of solid and agricultural wastes are being sought. Currently these wastes load to the landfill sites and release undesired methane into the atmosphere due to anaerobic conversion in landfills, lagoons, or stock- piles. Therefore, the government of Malaysia has announced its plan to incorporate energy efficiency and renewable energy in addition to the country’s existing four-fuel diversification policy. This will mean that renewable energy will play a significant role in shaping the nation’s energy sources. The country has vast potential to exploit the ample renewable energy resources, especially solar and biomass from organic municipal waste. A typical composition of MSW in Malaysia comprises as high as 70 to 80% of organic waste with high moisture content, which could be biodegraded naturally. Anaerobic digestion of organic solid waste produces biogas, which is an excellent energy source used as fuel in combined heat and power units. The production of methane via anaerobic digestion would benefit society by providing clean fuel from renewable feedstock. This would replace fossil fuel-derived energy and reduce environmental impacts including global warming and acid rain.