Legislation for Solid Waste Management

Abstract

The law and institutional structure provide the basis for formulating a policy framework aimed at improving the future practice for solid waste management (SWM). SWM has recently become a worldwide concern for metropolitan environments, which could have a negative impact on the economy. The authors have reviewed many regulations, which applied in many countries like the US, Europe, Korea, and Japan. Related international standards and principles have also been reviewed at the federal, state, and local levels. This chapter covers the legislations based on the countries mentioned and also includes Malaysian legislations such as the Federal Constitution of 1957, the Act for Local government (Act 171) 1976, the Town and Country Planning Act (Act 127) 1976, the Act for the Environmental Quality (Act 127) 1974, the Act for Street, Drainage and Building Act (Act 133) 1974, and the Act for Solid Waste and Public Cleansing 2007. An overview of SWM implementation in Malaysia and the rest of the world will be given through this subject. The most recent (updated to 2020) US Federal Acts affecting solid and hazardous waste management are also covered in detail: the Solid Waste Disposal Act (1965), Resource Recovery Act (1970), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (1976), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (1980), the Solid Waste Disposal Act Amendments (1980), the Used Oil Recycling Act (1980), and the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (1984); and some acts’ recent amendments up to 2020.

Glossary

Department of Environment (DOE)

An organization tasked with implementing, conserving, and maintaining sound environmental management as part of the nation-building process, as well as ensuring that the environment is still clean, stable, and safe for the people’s well-being.

European Free Trade Association (EFTA)

An intergovernmental organization formed to promote free trade and economic integration for the benefit of its four member countries – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland – as well as their global trading partners.

Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)

A method of assessing the possible environmental consequences of a proposed project or production, taking into account interconnected socio-economic, cultural, and human-health effects, both positive and negative.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

A federal government agency whose mission is to protect human and environmental health. The EPA is in charge of developing standards and laws that promote individual and environmental health.

Environmental Protection Society of Malaysia (EPSM)

A membership-based national association administered solely on a volunteer, non-profit basis by an elected Executive Committee. Its goals are to avoid environmental degradation as a result of human activities, monitor human activities that lead to environmental degradation, implement environmental improvement initiatives, and raise public awareness about the state of our environment.

Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM)

A comprehensive waste prevention which includes waste reduction, recycling, composting, and disposal. It considers how to avoid, recycle, and handle solid waste in ways that protect human health and the environment as effectively as possible.

Local Authorities (LA)

An association that is legally in charge of all public services and facilities in a specific region.

Malaysian Environment Non-Governmental Organizations (MENGO)

A grouping of Malaysian Environmental NGOs (MENGO) was formed under the DANIDA-supported programme for environmental assistance to Malaysia.

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)

A ministry of the Japanese government. It has jurisdiction over a broad policy area, including Japan’s economic and industrial policy, trade policy, energy security policy, intellectual property policy, industrial technology and innovation policy, control of arms exports, etc.

Ministry of Housing and Local Government (MHLG)

A Malaysian government ministry in charge of housing, local government, town planning, country planning, fire and rescue, landscape, solid waste management, strata management, moneylenders, and pawnbrokers.

Ministry of Environment (MOE)

The Ministry of the Environment plays a central role in government environmental policy. The ministry exclusively handles the planning and formulation of all government environmental policy and planning and all waste and recycling measures.

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)

Commonly known as trash or garbage in the United States and rubbish in Britain, it is a waste type consisting of everyday items that are discarded by the public.

National Council for Local Government (NCLG)

The commission was established under the federal constitution to coordinate policies and laws between the federal, state, and local levels of government.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Non-governmental organizations or non-profit organizations are establishments that are not governed by the government.

National Strategic Plan (NSP)

A strategy for resource planning and allocation focused on national priorities and consensus.

National Solid Waste Management Department (NSWMD)

Formed to integrate the solid waste management system at the national level.

Resource Conservative and Recovery Act (RCRA)

The primary legislation of the nation controlling the disposal of solid and hazardous waste, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Streets, Drainage and Building Act (SDBA)

Act focuses primarily on the cleanliness of public places, as opposed to solid waste management in general.

Solid Waste Management (SWM)

The method of collecting and handling solid wastes is referred to as solid waste management. It also provides recycling options for things that do not belong in the garbage or trash.

Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing (SWMPC)

A Malaysian law enacted to provide for and govern the management of managed solid waste and public cleaning for the purpose of maintaining proper sanitation, as well as other matters.

Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWPCMC)

A organization that implements policy, plans, strategies with the standards, specifications, and codes of practice and enforce the laws and regulation.

Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA)

An Act for the proper control and regulation of town and country planning in Peninsular Malaysia and for purposes connected therewith or ancillary thereto.

Treat Every Environment Special (TrEEs)

Programmes are primarily based in urban areas as the lifestyles of the urban community have a tremendous impact on Malaysia’s natural resources, yet this community is the most disconnected from the natural environment.

Underground Storage Tank (UST)

A tank and any underground piping connected to the tank that has at least 10% of its combined volume underground.