CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Waste management system basically refers to the collection, transportation, and disposal of
waste products. It is also process of treating solid waste and offer variety of solution for
recycling items that not belong to trash. A rising quality of life, and high rates of resource
consumption patterns have had a unintended and negative impact on the urban environment -
generation of wastes far beyond the handling capacities of urban governments and agencies.
Cities are now grappling with the problems of high volumes of waste, the costs involved, the
disposal technologies and methodologies, and the impact of wastes on the local and global
environment. ( http://www.gdrc.org/uem/waste/waste-intro.html ). But these problems have
also provided a window of opportunity for cities to find solutions involving the community and
the private sector, involving innovative technologies and disposal methods. These issues have
been amply demonstrated by good practices from many cities around the world.

During the primitive days, human beings used to discard their household waste such as
trash, other worthless or defective items simply by digging a hole and burying them. This
method was useful in those days because the population was relatively small, their needs were
limited and they used to produce the waste on a small scale. Now the situation has changed due
to tremendous increase in human population and industrial development. Consequently,
managing the colossal waste has become a very challenging task for the human kind. Waste
management is now not about merely dumping the unwanted things in a random way it but has
become a systematic process consisting of collection, transportation, and proper disposal of
garbage, sewage and other waste products. This also offers various solutions for recycling the
items, putting the waste to productive use. ( https://www.indiacelebrating.com/environmental-
issues/waste-management-meaning-types-methods-importance-benefits-and-solutions/ )

The rate of waste generation in Malaysia is increasing, covering community activities

such as commercial, institutional, industrial and markets. It is also related to the economic level
of different sectors in the community such as squatters, low, medium and high-class residential
area. The rate varies according to the type of waste generators and land use. Depending on the
economic status of the area, the per capita solid waste generation rate varies from 0.45 to 1.44
kilogram per capita per day. Based on data produced by Ministry of Housing and Local
Government (MHLG), the national average rate estimated for year 1991 to 1993 was about
0.711 kilogram per capita per day. This average has been increased to 0.8 kilogram per capita.
(Zain Sakawi, 2011). All the waste will end up being dump at landfills that had being provided.
Most landfills lack proper on-site waste management thus contributing to some additional
threats to the environment. After certain period, these landfills tend to leak and pollute ground
water and other neighbouring environmental habitats making waste management a very
difficult task. These landfills also generate potentially unsafe gases.

Waste management is something that each and every household and business owner in
the world needs. It is not only a technical environmental issue, but also a highly political one.
Waste management is closely related to a number of issues such as urban lifestyle, resource
consumption patterns, jobs and income levels, and other socio-economic and cultural factors.
Lately there has been a trend to enlarge the scope of waste management and include it within
the larger concept of resource management. (International Solid Waste Association, 2002). It
is a matter of serious concern for us when we see that many natural resources such as trees,
gas, and water are diminishing very rapidly. We all know that paper, cupboards, paper cups,
and many other products are made from trees. However, trees are cut down on a large scale
every year and new trees are not replacing them at the rate they are cut. Therefore, we should
think to recycle paper products so that there is no need of cutting new trees. It is also quite
possible to reuse plastic and metal items. Some countries have established certain sites where
people can bring and sell old newspapers, metal items, or glass. These products are recycled
and used again.

An effective strategy to dispose various wastes can offer many solutions for the various
problems associated with waste materials. The most efficient way to deal the waste is to recycle
and compost. It ensures there is gradual improvement of new and cost-effective facilities,
which aim to encourage higher environmental protection standards. It is clear that the main
factors that contribute to the waste problem which is human activities. Many researchers have
highlighted the factor that contributed to the flood problem but there is insufficient discussion
in order to solve this waste management problem. This study will only focus on the problematic
waste management system at Batu Pahat and find ways to improve this problem.