Assessing the impact of Covid-19 movement control order (MCO) on the recycling rate in Malaysia and its environmental health effect

CHE DERIS, MUHAMMAD NUR HAKIMI (2021) Assessing the impact of Covid-19 movement control order (MCO) on the recycling rate in Malaysia and its environmental health effect. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Covid-19 is a new world pandemic disease that has been declared by World Health Organization (WHO). Since the virus is newly discovered, no proper medication and vaccine to treat the infected persons. Malaysia has implemented multiple measures to contain the Covid-19 pandemic since January 2020, culminating in the execution of the MCO. Objective: To assess the impact of MCO implementation on the recycling rate in Malaysia and its environmental health effect. Methodology: The volume of recycled waste (tonnes) in the country from 2015 to 2020 were obtained from the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp). Greenhouse gas (GHG) avoidance were estimated using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2006) equation. Leachate volume reduction was estimated using the adopted mathematical models from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT, 2015) and Emission Estimation Technique Manual. Non-methane volatile organic compound (NMVOC) avoidance and health risks reduction were analysed by using the mathematical models of Air Pollutant Emission Factors and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA, 2005). Results: The volume of recycled waste showed an increased trend from 498.33 tonnes in 2015 to 3,088.36 tonnes in 2020. The volume of collected recycled waste was significantly high in Johor (3936.01 tonnes) for every composition. Paper was the highest items collected with the total volume of 4955 tonnes, followed by plastic (3584.59 tonnes), and metal (1487.07). The amount of recycled waste during MCO was significantly higher compared to before MCO (t = 3.013, p-value = 0.02). The methane emission has reduced significantly from -93.06 (m3y-1) before MCO to -133.93 (m3y-1) during MCO. Similar trend was observed for CO2 gas avoidance from -2326.51 (m3y-1) before MCO to -3348.78 (m3y-1) during MCO. There is significant reduction in leachate production from -450.64 m3 before MCO to -648.56 m3 during MCO. There was an acceptable health risk from the exposure to NMVOC with the value of Hazard Quotient (HQ) <1 and Lifetime Cancer Risk (LCR) <1.0E-04. Conclusion: The implementation of MCO has significant impact on the rate of recycling rate in Malaysia where the amount of recycled waste continuously increased even though during the MCO. This has significantly reduced GHG emissions, leachate production, and acceptable risk to the NMVOC exposure. Keywords: Recycled waste, MCO, Greenhouse gaseous, leachate, health risk

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Mr Hafizzuddin Hamidon
Date Deposited:	24 Aug 2023 04:41
Last Modified:	24 Aug 2023 04:41
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/981

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