Waste to wealth: enhancing circularities in the Malaysian economy

Abstract

PurposeThe paper focuses on Malaysia's huge waste challenges and how circular economy practices can turn that into increased and sustained economic growth.Design/methodology/approachPublished official reports on the country's sustainable development initiatives, policy statements from local authorities and government agencies as well as UN bodies and other secondary materials were sourced for this article.FindingsThe paper finds that Malaysia's waste can be used in generating wealth for the country if and when a conscious effort is made towards establishing a sound circular economy in the country. It also sees enormous opportunities that exist for cooperative models of social enterprises and business innovations.Originality/valueThe paper details the numerous policies and initiatives that the Malaysian government has embarked upon in recent times and scrutinises them to decipher the direction of country's bid for sustainable development. It also carries details of what can be done to achieve circularity as well as the benefits that can accrue from that.