PETALING JAYA: Shopping malls may soon play a bigger role in tackling the country’s waste problem, but experts say recycling bins alone will not be enough to drive meaningful change.
While the government’s initiative to make recycling facilities in shopping malls mandatory is aimed at boosting recycling rates and reduce reliance on landfills, experts said the bigger challenge is ensuring recyclable materials are properly recovered and processed rather than merely collected.
Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia president Rajesh Nagarajan said shopping malls are well-positioned to support recycling efforts given the large volume of consumer waste generated daily.
However, he cautioned that collection infrastructure alone will not guarantee meaningful results.
“Malaysia’s recycling rate reached 37.9% in 2024, but the more pressing issue is whether collected materials are actually processed and turned into new products.
“Without stronger downstream processing capacity and proper monitoring, recycling facilities may improve collection figures on paper without increasing actual material recovery,” he said.
Rajesh said contamination of recyclable materials and weak oversight of waste contractors remain major concerns.
He called for mandatory reporting requirements, contractor audits and traceability systems to ensure recyclables collected at malls are sent to licensed processing facilities instead of ending up in landfills.
Another major hurdle, he said, is changing consumer behaviour.
“Facilities can make recycling easier, but they cannot replace education. Public awareness campaigns must continue alongside the infrastructure rollout if the government wants long-term behavioural change,” he said.
Rajesh also urged the government to align the initiative with Malaysia’s planned Extended Producer Responsibility framework, warning that recycling facilities could otherwise become another standalone measure without broader coordination.
Society of Eco Greater chairman Dr Dhileepan Nair echoed those concerns, saying Malaysia still lags behind many developed countries in recycling practices and awareness.
He said low public participation, limited awareness and a lack of financial incentives continue to undermine recycling efforts.
“There appears to be limited coordination with waste management operators and recycling companies. The programme should begin with pilot projects involving willing major retailers before any nationwide expansion,” he said.
Dhileepan suggested focusing initially on large supermarket chains where consumers regularly purchase products with recyclable packaging.
He also proposed a refundable deposit scheme for cans, bottles and plastic containers, allowing consumers to reclaim money when returning used items.
“Cash incentives have proven effective globally in encouraging greater public participation,” he said.
Among consumers, convenience and awareness were cited as key challenges.
Private sector employee Mohd Nasirruddin Yazid, 39, said changing public attitudes towards recycling would be crucial.
“Many people still find it easier to throw everything into a general rubbish bin. The challenge is getting consumers to separate their waste and make recycling a habit,” he said.
He added that recycling facilities must be easily accessible and clearly visible to encourage use.
Student Nadira Rahman, 21, said many consumers remain unsure about what materials can be recycled.
“Without proper information, recyclable items may end up in regular rubbish bins,” she said.
She added that consumers may be reluctant to bring recyclable items from home unless meaningful incentives such as vouchers, loyalty points or cash rewards are offered.
Beginning this month, shopping malls will be required to provide recycling facilities to obtain business licences.
The Housing and Local Government Ministry said enforcement will be carried out in stages before expanding into mandatory compliance involving all shopping malls nationwide.
Source: more-than-recycling-bins-needed
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of Kritik.com.my. As an open platform, we welcome diverse perspectives, but the accuracy and integrity of contributed content remain the responsibility of the individual writer. Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate the information presented.