waste not, want not a study of household attitude toward recycling of solid wastes

Abstract

Solid waste management in Malaysia has become an increasingly important task of local government authorities over the recent years as a result of urban population growth, industrialization and an increase in quantity and variation in the types of waste generated. For this reason the government of Malaysia through the Ministry of Housing and Local Government has taken various measures to promote recycling amongst its population. However, a recycling program is only successful if households support and actively participate in it. Recently, a nationwide campaign was launched to get the people to recycle their wastes more often, more frequently and with greater commitment to quality. Despite these efforts little has been achieved due to the lack of participation from the households. This paper identifies the attitudes of Malaysian households towards recycling of solid wastes. The analysis is based on results of household interviews conducted in the city of Ipoh in Malaysia between May and August 2006. A large percentage of the sample (87%) disagrees with the current recycling campaigns and nearly all respondents considered that the campaigns were not being effective in changing householder attitudes and behaviour. According to the majority of those interviewed Malaysian solid waste recycling systems need a lot of improvements; more legislation is needed together with enforcement; and there needs to be a clearer focus on the reason for the recycling system and campaigns before any program is set up.