The profiles of household solid waste recyclers and non-recyclers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

• Malaysia has twice launched national recycling campaigns.
• This study investigated the effect of the campaigns and identified two characteristic of people.
• Most of the recyclers are well educated with well-paid jobs, live in their own houses and have very good knowledge of recycling.
• The non-recyclers have lower levels of education, earn lower incomes and do not care about recycling.
• More strategic approach is required to encourage recycling.

Malaysia has twice launched nationwide recycling campaign in 1993 and 2000. The result of the campaign to encourage household participation in recycling is inconclusive as the programs were concentrated only in urban areas. This study is an effort to conduct a comprehensive study on the effects of the recycling campaign and awareness on household recycling participation. A standard questionnaire survey was conducted on 460 households in selected residential areas that have active recycling programs in Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory (KLFT). The study identified the socio-economic characteristics of household recyclers and non-recyclers and their levels of knowledge on recycling by applying discriminant analysis. In addition, evaluation of the barriers and motivations of households performing recycling was investigated using factor analysis. The information was combined to form a profile of household recyclers and non-recyclers in urban Malaysia. Formulation was conducted on different recycling strategies and awareness campaigns at the household level to improve the existing recycling programs and facilities for the improvement of household participation. The study succeeded in forming a profile of household recyclers dominated by higher income earners with higher educational backgrounds, who owned houses and had deeper appreciation of recycling as a social norm. The non-recyclers had lower education and income, were tenants in one-storey houses, with little knowledge of recycling and its challenges. The study summarized the urgency for more strategic and targeted approach to recycling campaigns at the local level, taking into account the socio-economic backgrounds of the community, for more active participation in recycling at all levels.