Actors Influencing of Recycling Behavior

Factors influencing of recycling behavior

Yu Lin Ying EGC 120011

Background of study

Solid waste generated in urban areas has been increasing year by year due to the rapid urbanization and diversity of lifestyles in Malaysia since the mid 1980s.

Increasing waste management cost and securing final disposal landfills has become one of the most serious social issues in Malaysia.

Responding to this emerging issue, the Government of Malaysia, in the 8th Malaysia Plan (2001-2005), has included “waste minimization,” “promotion of reuse,” “developing a recycling-oriented society,” and “implementation of pilot projects for recycling” as some of its main policy goals.

The 9th Malaysia Plan (2006 – 2010) further emphasized the continuation of reduce, reuse, recovery and recycling of waste as well as greater use of environmentally friendly products.

The objective of the 3Rs program is to reduce the nation’s generation of solid waste by REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE.

This objective is in line with the National Recycling Target; 22% of the total solid waste can be recycled by the year 2020. The current rate is about 5%.

Many players are involved in Malaysian 3Rs programs. They include the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, local authorities, concessionary companies, collectors and manufacturers, non-governmental organizations, private residents associations, educational institutions, private waste recyclers and others.

Every year about 60% of the allocation given (so far RM70 million or US$18 million) is used to increase awareness among the public.

Some of the medium used are poster, pamphlets, bulletin, and electronic medium such as television, radio, websites, school busses, LRT, billboards, exhibition, carnivals and seminar.

Based on a recent survey by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, there is 90% awareness among the public but few are actually practicing.

Proposed Research Question

Ministry of Housing and Local Government (MHLG), 2007...