Integration approaches in good governance practices, functions of management and PDCA concept in recycling programmes formulation

Abstract

The National recycling programme has been launched in the year 1993 and then re-launched in the year 2000; however, the recycling rate is at a very low level in Malaysia. The solid waste generation has been increasing due to population growth, rapid growth of economy, urbanization and changes in lifestyle. Hence solid waste management is challenging in Malaysia. Currently, most of the solid wastes are disposed in landfills as it is one of the cheaper and easier methods in Malaysia. However, the landfills have reached a maximum and critical level due to high volume of solid waste generation. Meanwhile, most of the landfills are open dumping sites, which has caused environmental pollution. New landfill sites are difficult to identify as they have been rejected by the local community, such as the Bukit Payong landfill. Nevertheless, recycling is the most convenient method to reduce the solid waste disposal in landfills. Many recycling programmes have been conducted to achieve the recycling target, including the mandatory waste segregation at source programme. Many researchers have studied the failure in sustainability of recycling programmes aimed to increase the recycling rate in Malaysia. Therefore, this research paper is based on the conceptual framework findings from the literature review of recycling programmes and aims to develop a recycling programme based on integration approaches of good governance practices, functions of management, and the PDCA concept. The integration approaches of good governance practices, functions of management and PDCA concept will be used in recycling programme formulation. All stakeholders shall be involved in the recycling programmes formulation at each stage of planning, implementation, monitoring, and improvement. The continuous improvement cycle shall be practiced in the recycling programmes for sustainability. This framework of recycling programme formulation will act as a guideline for other environmental programmes in Malaysia.