Usage of Bioplastic Bags to Resolve Littering and Household Waste Disposal for Environment Preservation and Sustainable Community

Abstract

In suburban and rural Malaysia, littering and household waste disposal have been perennial issues. Communities geographically distanced from the metro areas do not have proper waste disposal facilities or awareness of bioplastic bag usage. Most of the practices of household waste disposals are through open burning or throwing the trash in nearby rivers and canals. Thus, the study assessed the public's awareness of using bioplastics to resolve the littering and disposal of household waste. Interviews with community heads and a replicated, simple survey for descriptive statistics formed the methodology. The results showed that 31.8% of respondents admitted to public littering, while 90.8% deliberately littered in public places. With limited enforcement from the local and relevant authorities, the communities will continue the negative attitude without knowing the environmental and public health implications. Malaysia's communities must continuously be aware of the consequences of littering and irresponsible waste disposal. The impact of these attitudes will result in the degradation of the environment and public health. Curbing bad habits from littering will reflect the civil society leading towards sustainable communities and increasing socio-economic wellbeing and quality of life.