An overview for energy recovery from municipal solid wastes (MSW) in Malaysia scenario

Uncontrolled emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to the atmosphere leads to climate change. One of the key contributors in GHG emission is municipal solid waste. Increasing population and rapid urbanisation in Malaysia directly influence MSW generation that has increased from 5.6 million tonnes in 1997 to more than 8 million tonnes in 2010 with a projection of more than 9 million tonnes by 2020. There are 6 operational sanitary landfills out of the 104 in operation in Peninsular Malaysia with five of them recovering methane. With a biodegradable component of more than 60%, MSW landfills are potential sources of cheaper and cleaner landfill gas (LFG). 310,225 t of methane were emitted from the MSW landfills in 2010 with carbon credit potential of US$85.93 million and can yield 2.20×109 kW h of electricity valued at US$219.50 million. Emission projections were made for the years 2015 and 2020. The analysis points to a very promising and viable resource utilisation potential that will be of economic and environmental benefits. It will also create job opportunities for the local community. The use of this LFG will provide the means for overall GHG reductions and boost the efforts to achieve sustainable development.