WASTE MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS AND MEASURES TO ADDRESS IT
“Waste” means any substances or objects which the holder disposes of
intends to dispose of or that are required to be disposed of. The quantity of domestic waste, including hazardous waste, is increasing drastically all over the globe.
As a result of accelerated economic development, Malaysians are producing an increasing amount of solid waste about 30 million tones of refuse a year. If this mountain of waste is disposed off properly, then we have little to worry about. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Litter is strewn all over the country in car parks, empty lots, back lanes, drains, rivers and practically everywhere. The sights are so familiar, the stench is overpowering, yet we displayed our indifference. The increasing quantity of waste is posing threat to the environment and human health.
As time goes, waste is becoming an increasingly valuable resource.
Waste, the management of which is regulated is being re-used, recycled and used for electricity production. By avoiding disposing of the waste that can be biologically recycled in the landfills as well as recycling and reusing larger quantities of waste a contribution is made to reduce the emission of the greenhouse gases.
However, despite these successful efforts waste management still
remains a problem. The quantity of waste keeps increasing. Approximately 90% of all waste goes to landfills of our country which results in the loss of large quantities of valuable materials and energy. Perishable trends of waste generation give rise to concern since waste generation shows inefficient use of resources in terms of environmental protection. Moreover, emissions into air, water and soil, noise and other factors emerging due to waste management contribute to environmental problems and determine unnecessary economic expenses that can be avoided.
Have you checked your garbage lately? Are you aware that you are throwing away many materials that could...