Waste Management System- A Comparative Study of Waste Management Systems in Malaysia and Canada

Abstract

Minimizing waste production is a top priority in waste management, as it has the least adverse impact on environmental sustainability by reducing materials entering solid waste or recycling streams. This study offers a comprehensive overview of Canada's waste management landscape, serving as a model for Malaysia. The analysis covers policies, waste diversion programs, reduction initiatives, disposal practices, and energy-from-waste projects. Many Canadian regions show promising possibilities in waste policy frameworks, suggesting the need for explicit waste disposal targets to enhance action on reduction and diversion. For construction, renovation, and demolition (CRD), individual producer responsibility is advocated over collective Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) due to industry distinctiveness. In Malaysia, dwindling disposal sites prompt the study, aiming to overcome challenges by assessing government recycling initiatives and addressing public indifference. While Malaysia faces disposal site shortages, the study recommends the adoption of successful Canadian waste management strategies. The article provides an insightful analysis of Municipal Waste Management (MWM) issues in Malaysia, offering a roadmap for both countries to navigate challenges and implement effective waste management practices.