OVERVIEW OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

IN MALAYSIA
by

Nadzri Yahaya, Ph.D

Director General
National Solid Waste Management
Department

at

Workshop on Carbon finance and Municipal Solid Waste Management in

Malaysia

EiMAS
SCOPE OF PRESENTATION
Introduction
Policies on Solid Wastes
Management
Legislative Framework
Institutional Framework
Conclusion
 INTRODUCTION

2 types of wastes: Scheduled Waste

(Hazardous) and Solid Waste

Scheduled Waste (toxic and hazardous) DOE,

NRE

Solid Waste : NSWMD, MHLG

 INTRODUCTION

Solid waste generated in 2002 was 17,000 tones per day

in Peninsular Malaysia;

Generation of solid waste expected to reach 30,000

tones per day in 2020; and

9th Malaysia Plan estimated about 45% of the waste is

made up of food waste, 24% of plastic, 7% is paper, 6%
of iron and glass and others made of the rest
 INTRODUCTION

Federal Cabinet as early as 6 September

1995 has decided that the responsibilities of
the Local Authorities in these areas to be
privatize. As a precondition to total
privatization, the Federal Cabinet again in
1998 decided that the privatization of solid
waste management for the country to be
carried on interim basis.
 INTRODUCTION

Since 1 January 1997, the solid management

responsibility of 48 LA has been privatized to
2 concession companies i.e. Alam Flora for
the Central Region and Southern Waste for
the Southern Region.

2008 Northern Region

2009 - Terengganu
 INTRODUCTION

291 landfill sites all over the country

as at April 2007

About 112 of these sites are not in

operation

179 still operating (10 sanitary)

 POLICIES
3 rd Outline Perspective
Plan (2001-2010)

the government will consider the adoption of a

comprehensive waste a management policy
including the installation of incinerators for safe
and efficient disposal of waste as well as to
formulate strategies for waste reduction, reuse and
recycling
 POLICIES
9 th Malaysia Plan

National Strategic Plan for Solid Waste

Management will be implemented

upgrading of unsanitary landfills as well as the

construction of new sanitary landfills and transfer
stations with integrated material recovery facilities.

Legislation to streamline the strategies and

measures in the Strategic Plan will be enacted.
 POLICIES
9 th Malaysia Plan

A solid waste department will be established to

implement these measures and to administer
solid waste policy, planning and management in a
holistic manner
 NATIONAL POLICY ON
SWM

Established a holistic, integrated, cost effective

solid waste management;

Emphasis on environmental protection and

public health;

Utilised proven cost effective technology; and

Priority on 3R
 LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK

Solid Waste is a Sanitation issue (Scheduled Waste public health)

Both under Concurrent List (List 3) of the Ninth Schedule : LA & Federal
Government

SWM is governed under Local Government Act,1976; Street, Drainage

and Building Act 1974

Parliament pass a BILL in July to Confer executive authority to the

Federation for matters relating solid waste through Article 74(1) and Article
80 (2) Federal Constitution

Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 gazetted on

30 August 2007
 LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK

Consequential Amendments:

Local Government Act, 1976

Streets, Drainage and Building Act, 1974

Town And Country Planning Act, 1976

- to take into consideration of the provisions of the SWMPC
Act when dealing with an application for planning
permission
SOLID WASTE AND PUBLIC
CLEANSING MANAGEMENT ACT
2007

Definition of Solid Waste:

- any scrap material or other unwanted surplus

substance or rejected products arising from the
application of any process;

- any substance required to be disposed of as

being broken, worn out, contaminated or
otherwise spoiled; or

- any other material that is required by the

authority to be disposed of
 SOLID WASTE AND PUBLIC
CLEANSING MANAGEMENT
ACT 2007

SWM services: separation, storage, collection,

transportation, transfer, processing, recycling,
treatment and disposal of controlled solid
waste

Controlled solid waste: 8 categories

- commercial, construction, household,
industrial, institutional, imported, public and
others which can be prescribed from time to
time.
 SOLID WASTE AND PUBLIC
CLEANSING MANAGEMENT
ACT 2007

Provides the function and authority to the DG

- policy, plan, strategies on SWM

- standards, specification and guidelines
- monitoring
- giving approval and license

Control of solid waste generators and persons in possession of controlled solid waste:

- Waste to be separated, handled and stored

- Licensing and approval system to be put in placed

Reduction and recovery of controlled solid waste:

- Prescribed recycling and separation of recyclables

- Take back system and deposit refund system
INSTUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
Previously: Department of Local Government & Local
Authorities

Now: National Solid Waste Management Department

and Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management
Corporation

Source of Authority:

- Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act

2007;
- Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Corporation Act
2007
 CURRENT PLANNING

Immediate Safe closure of 16 landfills that are in

critical areas;

CDM to be used in safe Closure of landfills

Upgrading of non sanitary landfills

Building new sanitary landfills and regional landfills

Building MRF, incinerators, centralised leachate

treatment facilities
 CONCLUSION

New Legislation provides a centralised and

coordinated solid waste management

GHG from landfills can be addressed through

development of sanitary landfills and safe
closure of non sanitary ones
TERIMA KASIH

www.kpkt.gov.my