Waste Recycling in Malaysia: Transition from Developing to Developed Country

The issue of sustainable waste management has become an important priority for policy makers and other relevant stakeholders of Malaysia as the country prepares to project itself as a developed nation. Despite several attempts by the government, such as enactment of new laws and pursuing privatisation, Malaysia is still lagging behind significantly in sustainable waste management practices, particularly in the area of recycling. Based on studies conducted in the Selangor state of Malaysia, this paper attempts to analyse the current waste management practices of Malaysia along with their problems and prospects, and examine the steps taken by the government and other stakeholders for attaining sustaining waste management practices. The paper will help the policy makers, waste management strategists, local administrators and researchers in the field to formulate sustainable policies and identify further areas of study in the relevant field.