Environmental awareness is building up within the Malaysian government as well as in consumers’ minds. The
government has adopted a National Strategic Plan for Solid Waste Management with emphasis on the upgrading of
unsanitary landfills as well as the construction of new sanitary landfills and transfer stations with integrated material
recovery facilities. A new Solid Waste Management Bill was adopted by parliament in June 2007. The bill is to
drastically change the structure of solid waste management in Malaysia and to open up for the development of a
completely new business sector. New concessions on domestic waste management will be introduced, as well as
recycling, and handling of specific types of solid waste like plastic, paper etc. is highlighted. Solid waste
management is a priority area under the 9th Malaysian Plan, as can be seen by the government setting up a Solid
Waste Department which is entrusted to enforce the Solid Waste Management Bill.