Recycling management

Lim Swee Su
PhD
Institut Sel Fuel
Contents

COMPONENTS OF THE POLLUTION. WHAT IT IS WASTE MANAGEMENT

RECYCLING PROCESS AND HOW TO CONTAIN IT AND SUSTAINABILITY
Outcome of this class
After completing this module, you will be able to:
• Explain the waste recycling process for both personal and
professional waste.
• Assess common types of pollution and identify mitigation
strategies.
• List ways in which you can take both personal and professional
responsibility and identify opportunities for recycling and
upcycling.
• Articulate how waste management contributes to environmental
sustainability and circular economy.
Components of the
recycling process
What is waste?
• Production of waste is inevitable in human activities, contributing
to increased disorder in natural systems, known as entropy.
• Contemporary era distinguished by increased consumption,
diverse goods circulation, and synthesis of new chemical
compounds.
• Factors affect both quantity and quality of solid waste, including
residues from individuals, families, businesses, and industries.
Liquid and gaseous residues termed wastewater and effluent.
• Waste encompasses solid waste, wastewater, and effluent, with
no judgment on the functionality or suitability of discarded
materials.
• Waste reflects the decision to discard or reuse materials.
Waste and consumer
society
• Product life cycle duration has significantly decreased over decades, from 20 years
in the 1960s to 5 years in the 1990s, with ongoing reduction.
• This trend results in more frequent replacements of goods like cars, shifting from 8-
10 years to 4-5 years.
• Waste often retains characteristics suitable for reuse or recycling with proper
treatment, as discussed in Module 3.
• Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) exemplifies this trend, where
replacements often occur for technological advancements rather than functional
reasons.
• Global waste production exceeded 2.01 billion tons in 2016 and is projected to reach
3.4 billion tons by 2050 due to population growth and urbanization.
• High-income countries, despite representing only 16% of the world's population,
generate 34% of global waste.
• Effective waste management is crucial due to the overwhelming amount of waste
produced.
The process of waste management
• Integrated waste management concept introduced in the European Community in the late
1970s, focusing on three actions: prevention, material/energy recovery, and controlled
landfill disposal.
• Modern European waste management approach involves four integrated phases: collection,
transportation/storage, material/energy recovery, and controlled disposal.
• Waste management aims to convert waste into materials and energy, minimizing final
disposal in landfills.
• Effective waste separation at home is crucial for successful waste management.
• Amsterdam exemplifies waste utilization for energy and materials.
• Waste production varies globally due to geography and social context, with OECD countries
generating 44% of global waste compared to 5% from Sub-Saharan African countries.
• Social and economic conditions influence waste composition, determining the proportions
of organic, paper, plastic, metal, and other materials in the waste stream.
Waste management in Malaysia
Decade ago:
• Malaysia predominantly used landfill as the waste management approach due to rapid
development and limited space for new landfills.
• Incineration was identified as an alternative due to constraints on landfill space.
Source: Omran, Abdelnaser & Mahmood, Abdullah & Aziz, Hamidi. (2007). Current practice of solid
waste management in Malaysia and its disposal. Environmental Engineering and Management
Journal. 6.

Current Initiatives:
• Malaysia is moving towards a zero-waste future, with the government actively involved in
strengthening waste management and environmental governance.
• The Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP) aims to achieve a National Recycling Rate (NRR) of 40% by
2025, highlighting the importance of a circular economy.
• Private sector involvement is encouraged, with a focus on constructing Integrated Waste
Treatment Facilities (IWTFs) incorporating material recovery, treatment, and incineration
components.
• IWTFs are designed to manage 95% of waste effectively, with the remaining 5% disposed of at Source: https://www.mida.gov.my/waste-to-energy-wte-the-preferred-
sanitary landfills. approach-for-waste-management-in-malaysia/

• Waste-to-Energy (WTE) components within IWTFs offer a more effective alternative to landfill,
converting non-recyclable waste into usable heat, electricity, or fuel through various processes
like combustion, gasification, and anaerobic digestion.
 Importance of preventing
waste production
• Two cultural approaches exist for preventing waste
production:
Dalibozhko, Anastasiia & Krakovetskaya, Inna. (2018). Youth
entrepreneurial projects for the sustainable development of global
community: evidence from Enactus program. SHS Web of Conference
1. First approach emphasizes producing goods in an
ecological manner with recyclable materials,
treating waste to recover materials and energy.
2. Second approach, known as "Theory of New
Growth," prioritizes changing thinking patterns to
redefine "growth."
• "Triple Bottom Line" advocates for companies to pursue
economic prosperity, environmental quality, and social
equity simultaneously.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_bottom_line
 Importance of preventing
waste production
• New Growth Theory challenges the notion that sustainable processes always lead to positive outcomes, highlighting
potential paradoxes.

• For instance, advancements in eco-friendly car technology may paradoxically increase pollution if they encourage
greater car usage.

• Fundamental shift in the conception of "growth" is proposed to address such paradoxes.

• Endogenous growth theory is a significant economic concept for achieving sustainable development, differing from
traditional neoclassical growth theory by focusing on internal factors within the economy.

• It highlights the importance of human capital, emphasizing investments in education and training to enhance worker
productivity and economic output.

• Innovation plays a central role in driving long-term economic growth, leading to the development of new products,
services, and technologies.

• Network externalities, where the value of a product/service increases with more users, contribute to economic
growth.

• Policymakers can leverage endogenous growth theory by investing in education, research, and development to
foster sustained economic growth and improve citizens' standard of living.

https://fastercapital.com/topics/the-link-between-endogenous-
growth-theory-and-sustainable-development.html
Waste collection and
transport
• Effective waste collection and transport systems are crucial for overall
waste management, especially in urban areas.
• Citizens play a direct role in waste collection, contributing responsibly
to the process.
• Two main waste collection systems are utilized: "street collection"
and "door-to-door" systems.
• Street collection involves waste delivery into designated containers
within urban areas, offering lower implementation costs but often
resulting in poorer quality of differentiated waste fractions.
• Door-to-door collection systems have gained popularity due to the
need for increased collection of differentiated waste for effective
material recovery.
Management of the organic fraction
• The organic fraction of waste comprises food scraps, greenery
maintenance residues, and pruning debris, primarily
decomposed by microorganisms.
• Aerobic conditions, with oxygen present, facilitate the
breakdown of organic waste into carbon dioxide and water vapor
by aerobic microorganisms.
• Anaerobic conditions, without oxygen, lead to the conversion of
biodegradable organic matter into methane and carbon dioxide
by different anaerobic microorganisms.
• Both aerobic and anaerobic degradation processes yield a solid
matrix.
• Aerobic degradation produces water and carbon dioxide, while
anaerobic degradation yields methane and carbon dioxide.
• The degradation processes are utilized to produce compost, a
valuable material obtained through the composting process.
 Management and disposal
of other fractions
• Effective waste processing begins with separating exploitable fractions through
https://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/440997 differentiated waste collection systems, allowing for the transformation of waste
into new raw materials and energy.
• In Malaysia, energy recovery from waste primarily occurs through direct
combustion in specialized plants equipped with heat and energy recovery units.
• Stringent emission limits have led to the development of sophisticated fume
treatment sections in waste-to-energy plants.
• The final waste produced by these plants, mainly ashes (not exceeding 2% of the
initial waste quantity), can be reused in civil engineering applications.
• Residual waste after processing is disposed of in controlled landfills, equipped
with systems to isolate them from the surrounding environment, including
containment systems for leachate and biogas.
• Proper implementation of these containment systems can significantly reduce the
environmental impact of landfills, even in areas with hydrogeological challenges.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/waste-energy-plant-malaysia-mogens-straarup
Pollution. What it is
and how to contain
it
What is pollution?
• Pollution refers to the introduction of substances or energy into the
environment, disrupting natural balances and causing negative effects
on human health.
• It can result from natural phenomena, but human activities have
significantly increased pollution levels, surpassing natural sources.
• Pollution spreads globally, carried by winds and rains, and harmful
substances released into the environment interact with others,
amplifying their effects.
• Identifying specific causes for pollution becomes increasingly difficult
due to the intertwining of various factors, both near and far in time and
space.
• Examples of pollution include acid rains, ozone layer depletion,
deforestation, and desertification.
Types of pollution
• Pollution is both a local and global phenomenon, caused by human activities that affect specific territories while also
impacting the entire planet, leading to global warming and climate change.
• Eight types of pollution are identified:
1. Atmospheric pollution, primarily caused by dust, waste burning, transportation, and industrial activities.
2. Soil pollution, resulting from industrial wastewater leakage, non-biodegradable waste burial, pesticide contamination, and
improper waste disposal, leading to soil degradation and desertification.
3. Water pollution, including chemical, physical, and microbiological contamination, with plastic waste posing a significant problem
due to its non-biodegradable nature.
4. Noise pollution, originating from airports, traffic, railways, nightlife, and industrial facilities, with adverse effects on health and well-
being.
5. Radioactive pollution, mainly from nuclear accidents, improper disposal of radioactive waste, and uranium processing.
6. Thermal pollution, associated with global warming caused by various factors such as deforestation, urbanization, and greenhouse
gas emissions.
7. Light pollution, affecting human circadian rhythms and star visibility, caused by urban lighting, illuminated signs, and continuous
artificial lighting.
8. Electromagnetic pollution, stemming from mobile phone antennas, wireless systems, and electronic devices, with potential health
implications.
• Various ways to reduce pollution include minimizing waste production, using eco-friendly products, conserving energy,
promoting sustainable transportation, and adopting environmentally conscious practices in everyday life.
 Eight
different
types of
pollution

https://www.sciencefacts.net/types-of-pollution.html
Waste management
and sustainability
The need to change mentality
• Sustainability involves the coexistence of the biosphere and human civilization.
• Waste management plays a vital role in achieving sustainability by addressing
waste, pollution, and environmental protection.
• The process of waste prevention and treatment is essential for environmental
sustainability.
• Waste management impacts both the economy and lifestyle.
• Shifting from a linear civilization model to circularity is necessary.
• Integrating waste management into environmental policies is crucial.
• Circular economy principles are essential for sustainability.
• Sustainability → Circularity → Waste management → Sustainability (“→” means
“implies”)
• Waste reduction and reuse are key strategies in mitigating pollution.
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8_p3HkQB0E&t=100s
The need to change mentality
• The modern industrial revolution was built upon scientific and technological discoveries in the 18th and 19th
centuries.
• Concerns about resource depletion and population growth were raised by economists as early as the late
1700s.
• Today, exponential population growth, limited resources, and increasing pollution present significant
challenges.
• In the 20th century, industrial development followed a linear model: from raw materials to products to waste.
• 21st-century focus shifts towards managing resources sustainably to avoid depriving future generations.
• Sustainability is key, aiming to create cyclical paths where waste becomes a resource for other productions.
• Circular economy, waste management, and environmental sustainability are closely interconnected
concepts.
• Historical periods require different visions and solutions; past actions like the widespread use of DDT have
led to negative consequences.
• The "6 R's approach" emphasizes reducing, reusing, recycling, repairing, refusing, and rethinking waste
management.
• A shorter version, the "3 R's approach," focuses on reducing, reusing, and recycling waste.
 3R, 6R and CE

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/eco-friendly-3rs-
reduce-reuse-recycle-sachin-nikam

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/circular-economy-reducing-waste-
promoting-reuse-ashiwani-awasthi

https://wildsustainability.com/the-six-rs-of-sustainability/
A new approach
• A modern and sustainable economic system aims to optimize the use of waste materials as inputs for other
production processes.
• The concepts of circular economy and industrial ecology advocate for transitioning industrial systems from linear to
cyclical, promoting the reuse of secondary products like energy and raw materials.
• Circular and eco-industrial systems prioritize efficiency, recovery, and exchange to minimize environmental impact.
• Eco Industrial Parks are examples of industries cooperating sustainably within the same environment, mimicking
natural ecosystems.
• The overarching goal is to achieve economic development while reducing environmental contamination through
proper waste management.
• The era of uncontrolled waste growth since the 1960s appears to be ending, with emphasis now on waste reduction
and sustainable management.
• Waste prevention is paramount in achieving sustainable waste management, as it can save significant amounts of
natural resources.
Sustainable behaviors
• Personal behaviors play a crucial role in promoting sustainability
on a daily basis.
• Adopting sustainable behaviors can contribute to reducing
environmental impact and promoting a more sustainable lifestyle.
• What are those behaviors?
Save energy Save water Use eco-friendly cleaning products
Go paperless Drive less Use reusable alternatives
Recycle and reuse Avoid wasting food Donate unused items
Use renewable energy Buy fair trade Use sustainable clothing

• Watch: How It's Made: Compost

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggL4Wuvsq8Q&t=250s
Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XleUJUiyZtE
Case history: modern waste management in
the Makkah
• Millions of Muslims gather annually in Saudi Arabia for worship, leading to significant increases in
municipal solid waste (MSW) generation, particularly during Ramadan and Hajj.
• In 2016, all MSW collected in Makkah city was disposed of untreated in landfills, resulting in
greenhouse gas emissions and water and soil contamination.
• The government decided to prioritize reuse and recycling as optimal waste management
techniques, focusing on source reduction.
• Implementation of the waste management project is projected to yield significant positive
impacts, including the reduction of methane and CO2 emissions, contributing to environmental
sustainability.
• Economically, the project is estimated to generate approximately 15 million Euros per year
through recycling glass, metals, aluminum, and cardboard, and an additional 25 million Euros per
year from other recyclables.
• Waste recycling in urban areas like Makkah city does not require high-skill labor or complex
technology, making it easily implementable.
• This case study demonstrates that effective waste management can simultaneously benefit the
environment, promote sustainability, implement circular economy principles, and generate
economic revenue.
Conclusion
• The module highlights the importance of understanding waste
management, identifying various types of pollution, and
recognizing the interconnections among circularity, sustainability,
and waste management.
• A key takeaway is the need for a change in thinking to address the
challenges posed by waste and pollution, echoing Albert
Einstein's quote: "The world we have created today, as a result of
our thinking, has problems that cannot be solved by thinking in the
same way we thought when we created them."
Thank you for your
attention

Question?