Malaysia plans to require shopping malls nationwide to install recycling facilities as part of a broader effort to reduce landfill dependence. (Photo: Pavilion Kuala Lumpur)
Malaysia will require shopping malls nationwide to install recycling facilities as a condition for obtaining business licenses, bringing recycling infrastructure into everyday consumer spaces. The decision, approved by the Cabinet on June 5, is expected to affect more than 1,000 shopping malls across the country by the end of the year.
The policy comes as Malaysia continues to grapple with rising waste volumes. The country generates more than 39,000 tonnes of solid waste per day, and despite achieving a national recycling rate of 35%, more than 80% of waste is still disposed of in landfills.
Unlock the full article to explore three key takeaways:
- Malaysia will require shopping malls nationwide to install recycling facilities, with full licensing-based enforcement set for 2028.
- Despite a 35% recycling rate, more than 80% of the country's 39,000 tonnes of daily waste still ends up in landfills.
- Major malls including Pavilion KL and The Gardens Mall have already deployed recycling hubs featuring reverse vending machines, e-waste collection, and digital tracking systems.
