Municipal Solid Waste Knowledge Platform

The amount of solid waste has been increasing by rapid population growth, improved technology, economic development and changing consumption habits. According to UNDP SWM Study Report 2007, the total organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) from both councils (Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang and Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai) comprises 71% of the total municipal solid waste in Penang. Rapid biodegradation of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste is of key importance to identify environmentally more responsible ways to process it rather than landfilling. Therefore, there is a need to apply other environmentally sound technologies before the desired result can be achieved.  

In diverting the organic waste fraction of municipal solid waste from landfills in Penang, anaerobic digestion (AD) and composting are recommended to be the most appropriate alternatives for treating the waste stream since AD results in two valuable products, biogas and compost that may be utilised for electricity production and as soil fertilizers respectively while composting produce nutrient rich compost. 

This report describes the two technologies. 

The report was done by Khor Hung Teik, under contract to UN Environment International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC), for the Climate and Clean Air Coalition.