KUALA LUMPUR: The Circular Economy for Solid Waste Blueprint 2025-2035, launched by the Housing and Local Government Ministry on Tuesday, is a pioneering strategy set to revolutionise Malaysia's approach to solid waste management for greater sustainability.
The ministry's deputy secretary-general (Sustainability Planning and Environment), Datuk Saidatu Akhma Hassan, highlighted the forward-thinking approach of the blueprint, emphasising circularity, stakeholder engagement and innovation.
"This is not just about managing waste and recycling; it's about transforming how we think about resources and sustainability and the importance of creating a closed-loop system, setting a new benchmark for sustainable practices," she said.
The blueprint outlines five strategic pillars: Governance and Legislation, Guidelines and Procedures, Digitalisation and Technology, Infrastructure and Facilities, as well as Market Creation. It introduces 20 circular economy initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable waste management.
"The blueprint adopts a holistic vision that goes beyond traditional waste management.
"It integrates the basic principles of 3R — reduce, reuse, recycle with the core of far more advanced strategies — refuse, rethink, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, repurpose and recover.
"This comprehensive approach addresses the entire lifecycle of products and materials, from production and consumption to waste management and resource recovery," she said in an interview with the
New Straits Times.
Saidatu Akhma said the blueprint aims to shift from a linear economy, where resources are used and discarded, to a circular economy, where resources are kept in use for as long as possible.
One standout feature of the blueprint is the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
"EPR encourages producers to design more sustainable products, invest in recycling infrastructure and take responsibility for the collection and recycling of their products," she said.
Stakeholder engagement is crucial to the blueprint's success.
"Transitioning to a circular economy requires active participation from various stakeholders,"Saidatu Akhma said.
She said innovation and technology also play a crucial role in driving sustainable practices.
"This blueprint encourages the adoption of cutting-edge technologies for waste management, recycling and resource recovery. It also supports research and development initiatives to foster new solutions and business models aligned with circular economy principles."
She called for increased consumer awareness and responsibility in waste management, highlighting the urgent need to reduce landfill usage due to land shortages and the high costs of developing new landfills.
"A single landfill can span over 40ha, and the cost of building one can sometimes exceed RM40 to 50 million, including land acquisition around RM70 million. We simply can't afford to open more landfills.
"Therefore, we need to sustain the existing ones, but we also need to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. We hope consumers will do their due diligence before purchasing and disposing of items.
"Other than that, raising the level of awareness and changing the mindset of both consumers and businesses towards sustainable practices are also challenges for us," she said, adding the primary challenge lies with the consumers.
She said the second significant challenge is the cost associated with waste management.
The other challenges include the com
prehensive implementation of the circular economy across all states in Malaysia, as only seven out of 13 states have adopted the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672).
Act 672 aims to ensure uniformity in law for the proper control and regulation of matters relating to the management of controlled solid waste and public cleansing.
Saidatu Akhma said the National Circular Economy for Solid Waste Council (NCEC), launched in September last year, will monitor the implementation of all initiatives under the blueprint.
The ministry also plans to strengthen policies and regulations to support circular economy practices.
"The government will continue to refine and strengthen policies and regulations to support circular economy practices.
"This includes updating existing frameworks and introducing new legislation to address emerging challenges and opportunities in waste management and resource efficiency," she said.
She said through the second pillar of the blueprint, they hope to develop proper guidelines and procedures that businesses, industries and government bodies could follow.
She said structured policy frameworks can significantly accelerate the shift towards a circular economy, fostering economic growth while minimising environmental impact and enhancing resource efficiency.
Aligning with Strategic Pillar 3, which is Digitalisation and Technology, she said it is important to advance technology adaptation focusing on waste management and treatment.
"Technology plays a crucial role in the circular economy by enabling more efficient resource use and waste management.
"Innovations within integrated waste management facilities incorporating advanced recycling techniques, waste-to-energy technologies and digital platforms for tracking and optimising resource flows are pivotal. Improvements in sorting and processing technologies for waste are key to better handling recyclable materials."
She further said the government is committed to advancing the circular economy by promoting innovation and expanding stakeholder engagement.
"This involves supporting research and development in circular technologies and sustainable practices while encouraging collaboration between academic institutions, industry leaders, and government agencies to develop new solutions and business models.
"Concurrently, there will be a focused effort to engage a broader range of stakeholders, through initiatives aimed at raising awareness, educating the public and fostering active participation," she said.