Participating in Solid Waste Management Among Household in Terengganu

Abstract

Solid waste is one of the greatest environmental challenges facing most municipalities in Malaysia. The household sector is the primary source of solid waste in Malaysia, accounting for almost 60% of the total. Other important sources of solid waste include industries, commercials, and institutions. This paper presents the result of the survey among the households in Kuala Terengganu regarding the attitude and participation in Solid Waste Management (SWM). The research argues that to achieve sustainability, public involvement in environmental and solid waste policies is crucial. No programmes or policies can be successful without the involvement of people and grassroots leaders. Thus, this paper will examine household attitudes and participation via a waste recycling programme to deliver a sustainability policy for SWM in Malaysia. To learn more about perceptions and attitudes about waste management, a questionnaire survey was distributed to households in Kuala Terengganu. A list of questions was asked of respondents, such as items from the level of education to personal and social background information. Accordingly, 100 questionnaires were distributed in selected areas in Kuala Terengganu. The survey results indicate a lack of concern among households about participating in recycling activities. The main factors for participation in the recycling programme were educational background, housing conditions, and level of established income. In summary, Terengganu’s SWM system is poor and fragmented. The institutional structure and managerial aspects of SWM are also problematic. As a result, Malaysia’s national SWM strategy is crucial to ensuring its sustainability. Campaigns and educational initiatives are needed to raise public awareness of the issues and effects related to the generation, collection, transportation, and disposal of solid waste.