COURSE CODE: EWC 661

ASSIGNMENT: ENGLISH REPORT WRITING PROPOSAL

TOPIC/TITLE:THE AWARENESS LEVEL OF RECYCLING
HABITS AMONG STUDENTS IN FACULTY
ARCHITECTURE AND SURVEYING (AP),
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA (UITM), SHAH
ALAM

Prepared for:
Puan Suzana Meor Abdul Aziz

GROUP MEMBERS ANILAH HANUN BT KAMAL ZAIM (2017626688)

NICK COTTE ANAK DANIL (2017626776)

NUR IZZATY BT ZAINOSZLI (2017626726)

NUR KHALIZA BT AHAMAD KHIR (2017626502)

GROUP AP2243A

SUBMISSION DATE 27TH DECEMBER 2018

 TERMS OF REFERENCE

On 7th of September 2018, the English for Report Writing lecturer (EWC661), Puan
Suzana Meor Abdul Aziz instructed our group members Anilah Hanun bt Kamal Zaim,
Nick Cotte anak Danil, Nur Khaliza bt Ahamad Khir and Nur Izzaty bt Zainoszli to
conduct a study and write a report on the “Awareness Level of Recycling Habits
Among Students in Faculty Architecture and Surveying (AP) of Universiti Teknologi
MARA (UiTM) Selangor.”. This report was submitted on 27th of December 2018.

i
 ABSTRACT

The aims of this study were to determine the level of recycling awareness among
students in Faculty Architecture, Planning and Surveying (AP), University of
Technology Mara (UiTM), Shah Alam. In order to accomplish the report, quantitative
research design was used. Thirty-four respondents from AP, were chosen randomly
to assist in this survey. This study employed descriptive analysis and presented results
in frequency and percentage. The findings indicate that the main reason students are
not recycling because of less knowledge of recycling. Recycling behaviour was
significantly influenced by resistance to change and attitude towards recycling.
Students must train their self on managing their waste wisely and take action on
recycle issue seriously. Everyone especially UiTM students target these variables in
their future action plans in order to enhance recycling behaviour.

ii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all, we would like to thank to our very merciful god Allah s.w.t because
with Allah s.w.t blessed we managed to complete this report. By taking this opportunity
we want to express a deep sense of gratitude to all those who provided us the
possibility to complete this report. We would like to express our greatest appreciation
to all the members who have help one way or another in the writing of this report. In
particular, we wish to express my sincere appreciation to our lecture, Puan Suzana
Meor Abdul Aziz on her encouragement, guidance, advices and motivation. Without
their continued support and interest, this report would not have been the same as
presented here. We would also like to thank our parents for giving us their support
either moral support or in money support. Last but not least, we would like to thank the
group member for their dedication and commitment. These commitments enabled us
to succeed in completing this report on time. We are confident this report will be a
valuable resource for the upcoming student to achieve more knowledge. Thank you.

iii
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TERMS OF REFERENCE ................................................................................................................. i

ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................................... ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ..................................................................................................................... iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................................................................... iv
LIST OF FIGURES............................................................................................................................... v
1.0 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background of the Study ............................................................................................. 1
1.2 Problem Statement ...................................................................................................... 3
1.3 Objectives of the Study................................................................................................ 4
1.4 Significance of the Study............................................................................................. 4
1.5 Scope of the Study ....................................................................................................... 4
2.0 METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................................... 6
2.1 Respondents of the Study ........................................................................................... 6
2.2 Instruments of the Study ............................................................................................. 6
2.3 Data Collection Procedure .......................................................................................... 7
2.4 Data Analysis Method .................................................................................................. 7
3.0 FINDINGS ................................................................................................................................ 8
3.1 Background of the Respondents................................................................................ 8
3.2 The Level of Awareness on Recycling ...................................................................... 9
3.3 The Importance of Recycling Personally ................................................................ 10
3.3 The main reason students do not recycle............................................................... 10
3.4 The Improvement on Recycling Activities............................................................... 12
4.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................ 14
4.1 Conclusions ................................................................................................................. 14
4.2 Recommendations ....................................................................................................... 15
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................... 16

iv
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure No. Page

3.1 Level of Awareness on Recycling................................................................. 9
3.2 Importance of Recycling Personally ........................................................... 10
3.3 Main Reason Students Do not Recycle ...................................................... 11
3.4 Improvement on Recycling activities .......................................................... 12

v
1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Recycling means to compost and regenerate materials for original purpose where the
materials are converted into raw and original material. It is to minimize the
environmental impact of both raw material production and waste disposal. Recycling
activity is encouraged in develop countries where they reuse various items such as
newspaper and drinks bottles. The items that can be recycled are collected and sorted
out into common types so that the raw material from these items can still be used
again to create new products. (Jereme.A et al., 2015). In today’s world of advanced
science and technology we still fail to manage our waste accordingly. Improper solid
waste management can greatly cause a negative impact to the environment.

According to a study by Omran et al., (2009) as cited by Moh & Latifah (2013)
one of the major environmental problem faced by Malaysia is solid waste
management. Study by (EU-SWMC, 2009 as cited by Moh & Latifah, 2013) stated that
municipal solid waste is the highest among overall waste composition in Malaysia at
64% followed by Industrial waste 25%. Based on study by MHLG (2006) as cited by
Moh & Latifah (2013) about 80% of municipal waste that are disposed in landfills are
actually recyclables.

Globally, higher education such as universities and colleges are given more
focus to promote environment sustainability as they are considered to be mini towns
or city (Alshuwaikat & AbuBakar, 2008; UNESCO,2005; Zhang et al., 2011; Waheed
et al., 2011; Baldwin & Dripps, 2012 as cited by Bailey, Pena & Tudor, 2015). Students
and university staff also play a role as facilitators for future leaders and have a wide
ranging engagement with a range of stakeholders in the community (Bailey, Pena &
Tudor, 2015). This shows that, university is one strategic place to develop recycling
habits. However, Olson et al., 2011 as cited Flagg & Bates,2016 stated that many
students and faculty were relatively unware with the list of recycling materials and the
logistics of preparing materials for recycling. Thus, there is a need to conduct a study
to identify the awareness level of recycling among students.

Recycling activity would not only enhance the environment in campus and
generate income, but also reduce resource consumption in our nation and community

1
hence minimizing the impacts on the natural environment. (Bailey, Pena & Tudor,
2015). Apart from that, Mastrogiacomo, Barravecchia and Franceschini (2016)
showed that other benefits of recycling are avoiding unnecessary waste, optimizing
material resources and provide more sustainable service. Based on (Fernandez-
Manzanal et al., 2007, Yeumg et al., 2017 as cited by Cheung et al., 2018) the new
generations must acquire environmental awareness and knowledge which may help
them to make appropriate decisions during their professional lives.

2
 1.2 Problem Statement

Nowadays, our environment is contaminated due to lack of waste management

by the community. One of the cause of the issues is the low participation level in
recycling. In our research, we seek to identify the root of the problem which will focus
on students in Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying (AP) in order to instil
the recycling habits among them. Furthermore, the outcome of this research is to bring
a positive impact of green behaviour towards improving the environment quality of the
nation.

The recycling bins that were provided no longer existed. In the AP faculty, the
usage of paper and plastic water bottle are high and students only dispose them in
one specific bin. In reality, it is difficult to develop the recycling habits among students.

In response to this problem, our study proposes to investigate the reasons for
the lack of recycling habits among AP students, and to increase their awareness on
the importance of recycling. On improving, the AP facilities management should
provide more recycling bins and placed them in strategic places. Recycling campaign
can be held to increase the recycling awareness, knowledge and habits among
students. The following research questions has prompted the researchers to conduct
the study recycling awareness among AP students.

 What is the importance of recycling?

 How do we ensure students are involved more in recycle activities?
 How do we cultivate the spirit of recycling among student?
 Why do students still lack recycling habits even though recycling bins are
provided in the FSPU faculty?

3
 1.3 Objectives of the Study

The purpose of this study is to investigate the level of recycling awareness among
students in AP, University of Technology Mara (UiTM), Shah Alam. This study
suggests several research objectives to be attained as follow:

a) To identify the level recycling awareness level among AP students.

b) To determine the ways to help students to instil recycling habits.
c) To investigate the factors of low recycling habits among AP students.

1.4 Significance of the Study

Recycling is the process in which used or abandoned materials from our everyday
waste is converted into new products. Items that can be recycled include glass, paper,
plastics and various metals. In this study would benefits the Faculty of Architecture,
Planning and Surveying and UiTM in general. The findings provided some insights into
recycling issues in UiTM and highlighted the reasons why it is not exercise among
FSPU students in UiTM Shah Alam. These would enable the FSPU management to
find way to overcome the recycling issues among FSPU students. Besides that, the
faculty can hold campaigns on the importance of recycling and its benefits to create a
healthy environment in FSPU and UiTM. This topic can be further study by the other
researchers because the issues of recycling are endlessly. Finally, this study would
help create awareness among FSPU students them on how importance recycling for
the FSPU environment and UiTM.

1.5 Scope of the Study

The survey involved only thirty-four respondents consisting of undergraduates from

different courses of the Architecture, Planning and Surveying Faculty in UiTM Shah
Alam, Selangor. These respondents were aged from 20 years old and above. The
duration of this study was 12 weeks, starting from September 2018 until December
2018 which had limited the scope of the study in terms of variables involved.

4
 1.6 Previous Studies

Recycle awareness in Malaysia can be identified with the amount of waste to be

recycled by the Malaysian people day by day. Based on previous research that
focusing on the awareness of recycling among student in Universiti Utara
Malaysia(UUM), conducted to 50 students shows that most of the students are only
recycle one time in a month. So, it is clear that the awareness of recycling among
students still low. This is because students are only use papers, plastics, bottles and
boxes (Winter, 2015). In this contact of recycling, all generations must take part
because everybody will throw rubbish even it is a tissue. Global warming and
deforestation issues will increase if everyone does not aware about recycling (Marks,
2016). Young generation should be more concern regarding recycling activity because
they used a lot of product that can be recycle such as plastics, papers, boxes, glasses
and electronics appliances. If the young generation neglects recycling activities, our
mother earth is in danger in 10-20 years later.

5
2.0 METHODOLOGY

2.1 Respondents of the Study

There were 34 respondents which include both males and females. The respondents
were UiTM Selangor undergraduate students from different courses of the
Architecture, Planning and Surveying Faculty. They ranged between 20 years old and
above

2.2 Instruments of the Study

A questionnaire was chosen to be the research instrument for collecting the

information from the respondents. This method was more effective rather than
interviewing them face-to-face. This questionnaire was distributed in the form of
Google Docs through social media.

The questionnaire consists of 12 questions and is designed to get in-depth

information to achieve the objectives of this study. There were three sections in the
questionnaire regarding the requirements for achieving the objectives of this study.
Section 1 was about the background of the respondents. In Section 2, four questions
were set to find out habits of recycling among undergraduate students. Lastly in
Section 3, there were five questions asking about their knowledge on the importance
of recycling. The type of questions in Sections 1 and 2 were multiple-choice while the
type of questions in Section 3 is agree to disagree questions and one open question.
These questions will measure the awareness level of recycling among students
including the importance and the knowledge of recycling and to find out ways to deal
with the problems and the factors of the problem.

6
 2.3 Data Collection Procedure

The questionnaires were distributed to the respondents through media social such as
Whatapps. The questionnaires were only given to those who study in the Architecture,
Planning and Surveying Faculty so that the data collected could be used in completing
this research. The questionnaires were distributed through direct messages and group
messages, the respondents had enough time to spend on answering the
questionnaires since time limit was not given.

2.4 Data Analysis Method

This study used descriptive analysis in analysing the data. The analysed data were
converted from frequency count into percentages and presented in charts using
Microsoft Excel applications.

7
3.0 FINDINGS

3.1 Background of the Respondents

A questionnaire was distributed among the students of Faculty of Architecture,

Planning and Surveying in Universiti Teknologi Mara, Shah Alam by using Google
Form. However, only thirty-four students were answered the questionnaire that we
distributed through social media. Once the data has been collected, pie charts and bar
charts were plotted for every question in the questionnaire. The demographic details
were on gender, age, and course by the respondents. Out of thirty respondents, 95%
were females and 5% were males. The respondents’ age ranged from 20 to 24 years
old and most respondents (67.6%) were 22 to 23 years old. Majority of respondents
were from course Quantity Surveyor.

8
3.2 The Level of Awareness on Recycling

The bar chart illustrates the responses of 34 respondents based on the question of the
awareness of the recycling effect on the AP environment.

Figure 3.3: Bar graph showing students` response regarding awareness of

recycling effect on the AP environment

The impact of recycling towards the AP environment

Strongly
10 (29.4%)
Agree
Opinions on Impact

Agree 15 (44.1%)

Neutral 8 (23.5%)

Disagree 0

Strongly
1 (2.99%)
Disagree

0 5 10 15 20
Number of respondents
Responses

Figure 3.3 shows that the majority of the responses agreed with 73.5% which
indicated that they do believe recycling activity will effect the environment, while the
smallest numbers of respondents strongly disagree with the statement with 2.99%. It
can be seen that almost three quarters of the students have found that their recycling
efforts in proper waste disposal will make their faculty environment cleaner and
happier.

9
3.3 The Importance of Recycling Personally

The bar chart shows the importance of recycling to the student personally. The chart
presents five separate indicators: strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree and strongly
agree. The data was collected from 34 respondents among AP students.

Figure 3.4: Bar graph showing students` response regarding the importance
of recycling personally

Importance of recycling personally

Strongly Agree 12 (35.3%)

Opinions on Impact

Agree 18 (52.9%)

Neutral 4 (11.8%)

Disagree 0

Strongly Disagree 0

0 5 10 15 20
Number of Respondents

Responses

Figure 3.4 stated that 52.9% of the students selected “agree” which indicated
that they agreed that recycling actually is important personally, while 11.8% strongly
agree with the statement. This conclude that they do believe that recycling awareness
is very important to every generation due to effect on our earth now. Not only students
should aware about this, all generation also must take part in recycling.

10
3.3 The main reason students do not recycle

Figure below shows main reason students do not recycle based on AP students’
opinions. There are 33 respondents that answered this open question. The students
stated variety of answers and the most common answers are used to be analysed.

Figure 3.3: Pie Chart showing students’ responses regarding the reason students do
not recycle

Main reason students do not recycle

26.5%

45.5%

2.94%

24.2%

Recycle bins are not provide Less of campaign Lazy Less knowledge

Almost half of the students that is about 45.45% of them agree that less of knowledge
or awareness is the main reason that the students do not recycle. Next, 2.94% student
suggested that the main reason the students do not recycle is due to no campaign to
be held. Besides, 26.47 % of them stated that there is no recycle bins in the faculty
and also 24.24 % said the students are lazy as the main reason why they do not
recycle. The results showed that most of the students has low awareness on recycling
activities as half of them said they have less knowledge and a few of them said the
students are lazy.

11
3.4 The Improvement on Recycling Activities

Figure 3.4 below shows that the choices of provided more recycle bin at the accessible
place were selected to improve the recycling activities. More than 90% of the students
agreed with the selection of providing more recycle bin and make the bins accessible
compared to only 10% who were not agreed.

Figure 3.4: Bar graph showing students’ responses regarding choice of improving on
recycling activities

Improvement on Recycling Activities

16 15
14 14
Number of Respondents

14
12 12
12
10 10
10 9
8 7 7
6
6
4 4 4
4 3 3
2 1 1
0
Provide more Make the bin Make clear signing Fine those who
recycle bin acessible for the bins neglect
Opinion in Recycling Activities

Strongly Disagree Disagree Nuetral Agree Strongly Agree

However, the choice of making clear signing for the bins is selected by the majority of
the students. More than 70% of the students agreed with the selection of making clear
signing for the bins compared to only 10% who were not agreed.

12
It was found that the students were disagree with the ways of the improvement
recycles which is fine those who neglected the recycling activities. There were 20% of
the students were disagree with fining those who do not neglected activities compared
to the other ways of improvement of recycling activities which were 10% of the
students respectively. From the data, we can came out with the solution to improve
the recycling activities. By doing these activities at the faculty we can ensure that
students can create clean environments.

13
4.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1 Conclusions

Based on the findings, conclusions have been made for selected questions in
the questionnaire. On the other hand, majority of respondents responded to the
questionnaire were Quantity surveyor students and it can be seen that majority of the
students have found that their recycling efforts in proper waste disposal have made
their faculty environment cleaner and happier with the support of evidence stated that
18 students agreed with personally opinion, it is importance to recycle. Meanwhile, we
have concluded that the main reason students are not recycling because of less
knowledge of recycling. Last but not least, students are willing to improve the FSPU
environment and agreed with the idea of providing recycle bins at accessible places
in the faculty.

In conclusion, from the study and the data collected and analysed people
should be more aware on recycle. Everyone especially UiTM students must aware
about recycling to save earth natural resources for next generation. Students must
exercise a good practice to have a good attitude on managing their waste and take
action on recycle issue seriously. Beside FSPU students, all generation also must take
part in recycling. If everyone alerts about this, our country will have the systematic
system in managing waste. Dumping area will decrease and the pollution will also
decrease. Furthermore, from this study we know that students are willing to participate
in recycling if university provide good facilities.

14
4.2 Recommendations
Based on the conclusions, it is recommended that:

a) The Students’ Affair Organization (HEP) of Architecture, Planning and

Surveying Faculty should provide more recycle bins around the faculty. The
bins also should be located in a place where students can see and use them.
b) The awareness campaign on saving the earth and recycling should be
frequently held.
c) Consider redistributing current recycling bins to areas with higher recyclable
disposal rates.
d) Label all currently unlabelled bins and newly purchased bins with clear,
informative signs that indicate the proper items to dispose in each bin.

15
 REFERENCES

Alshuwaikhat, H., & Abubakar, I. (2008). An integrated approach to achieving

campus sustainability: assessment of the current campus environmental
management practices. Journal of Cleaner Production, 16(16), 1777-1785.

Baldwin, E., & Dripps, W. (2012). Spatial characterization and analysis of the
campus residential waste stream at a small private Liberal Arts
Institution. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 65, 107-115.

EU-Asia, 2009. Sustainable Waste Management Cycle (EA-SWMC). (2009).

EU-Perak Solid Waste Management Plan (EU-PSWMP). Perak, Malaysia,
Retrieved from http://goo.gl/rQeZjr.

Fernández-Manzanal, R., Rodríguez-Barreiro, L., & Carrasquer, J. (2007).

Evaluation of environmental attitudes: Analysis and results of a scale applied
to university students. Science Education, 91(6), 988-1009.

Flagg, J., & Bates, D. (2016). Recycling as a result of “cultural

greening”? International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 17(4),
489-505.

Jereme, A., Siwar, C., & Alam, M. M. (2015). Waste Recycling In Malaysia:
Transition from Developing To Developed Country. Indian Journal of
Education and Information Management, 4(1), 1-14.

Marks. J (2016). The 6 Most Pressing Environmental Issues. Retrieved at 19

November, 2016 from https://inhabitat.com/top-6-environmental-issues-for-
earth-day-and-what-you-can-do-to-solve-them/

Mastrogiacomo, L., Barravecchia, F., & Franceschini, F. (2016). Service recycling

and ecosystems: an intriguing similarity. International Journal of Quality and
Service Sciences, 8(4), 555-562.

Ministry of Housing and Local Government. (2006). The Study of National Waste
Mini mization in Malaysia Final Report. In cooperation with Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA).

16
Moh, Y. and Abd Manaf, L. (2014). Overview of household solid waste recycling
policy status and challenges in Malaysia. Resources, Conservation and
Recycling, 82, pp.50-61.

Olson, L., Arvai, J., & Thorp, L. (2011). Mental models research to inform community
outreach for a campus recycling program. International Journal of
Sustainability in Higher Education, 12(4), 322-337.

Omran, A., Mahmood, A., Abdul Aziz, H., Robinson, G.M., (2009). Investigating
households’ attitude toward recycling of solid waste in Malaysia: a case study.
International Journal Environment Research, 3(2), 275–288.

Tudor, T., Bailey, J., & Pena, M. (2015). Strategies for Improving Recycling at a
Higher Education Institution: A Case Study of the University of the West
Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados. The Open Waste Management
Journal, 8(1), 1-11.

UNESCO, “UN decade of education for sustainable development 2005-2014”, 2005.

Waheed, B., Khan, F., Veitch, B., & Hawboldt, K. (2011). Uncertainty-based
quantitative assessment of sustainability for higher education
institutions. Journal of Cleaner Production, 19(6-7), 720-732.

Winter. D (2015). The Violent Afterlife of a Recycled Plastic Bottle. Retrieved

November 26, 2016 from
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/12/what-actuallyhappens-
to-a-recycled-plastic-bottle/418326/

Yeung, S., So, W., Cheng, N., Cheung, T., & Chow, C. (2017). Comparing
pedagogies for plastic waste management at university level. International
Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 18(7), 1039-1059.

Zhang, N., Williams, I., Kemp, S., & Smith, N. (2011). Greening academia:
Developing sustainable waste management at Higher Education
Institutions. Waste Management, 31(7), 1606-1616.

17
APPENDIX 1: SAMPLE OF QUESTIONNAIRE

Dear respondents,

We are conducting a survey on The Awareness Level of Recycling Habits among

Students in Faculty Architecture, Planning and Surveying (AP), Universiti Teknologi
Mara (UiTM), Shah Alam. The purpose of this survey is to identify the level of recycling
awareness among students in AP. We would greatly appreciate it if you could spend
time to answer these following questions. All your responses will be kept confidential.

Section A: Background Information

Instructions: Please answer the questions.

1. Gender

Male Female

2. Ages
18-19 years old
20-21 years old
22-23 years old
24 years old and above

3. Course
Section B: Recycling Activities
Instruction: Please tick (√) your answer in the box.

1. Do you know that there are recycle bins in AP?

Yes
No
Maybe

2. Which of these statements best describes your attitude towards recycling?

I recycle even if it requires additional effort
I recycle if it does not required effort
I do not recycle

3. How often do you recycle?

Always
Sometimes
Often
Rarely
Never

4. What types of material do you recycle?(You may thick more than one option)
Plastic
Glass
Paper
Section 3: Knowledge on Recycling

Instructions: Please tick (√) your answer in the box.

1. How to improve recycling activities?

Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly
Disagree Agree
More
Recycle
Bins
Make the
bin
accessible
Make the
bins more
visible
using signs
Fine those
who
neglect

2. In your opinion, what is the main reason students do not recycle?

3. Do you aware of the impact of recycling towards AP’s environment?

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
4. Is recycling important to you personally?
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree

5. Do you know what goes into the recycling bins?

Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree