COST OF WASTE DISPOSAL

HANDLING AND STORAGE

Malaysian government faced the biggest problem which is collecting the solid waste generated.
Also, having problem to manage the waste with minimum cost. Furthermore, handling and
separating the waste involves sorting the waste in terms of organics and recyclables, some
treatments involve processing the waste from sources such as compaction and yard waste
composting[ CITATION AHS16 \l 1033 ] . Reducing disposal costs without reducing the volume of
waste generated is hard to do and will require negotiating with prospective waste service
providers to obtain the best price for waste removal. Hence, minimizing costs by avoiding the
generation of waste is a more effective method but will require assessing current operational and
purchasing practices to reduce the importation of waste materials. If reducing the environmental
impact of the business is the driving force for waste minimization, then costs may or may not be
reduced depending on commitment and waste services availability in the area.

However, improper storage and handling of solid wastes can allow toxic compounds,
oils and greases, heavy metals, nutrients, suspended solids and other pollutants to enter storm
water runoff. The discharge of pollutants to storm water from waste handling and disposal can be
prevented and reduced by tracking waste generation, storage and disposal. Also, reducing waste
generation and disposal can be done through source reduction, re-use and recycling [ CITATION
Cal03 \l 1033 ].

Furthermore, the main impacts created by solid waste pollution are health impact and
economic impacts which land price decrease. The major problems due to solid waste in
developing countries which health hazards from uncollected waste, health hazards from collected
but poorly disposed of waste and economic burden of waste disposal on towns and cities
[ CITATION Pea94 \l 1033 ]

In addition, packaging, labelling and storage of waste are the important aspect in
scheduled waste management. These are due to their characteristics that can pose risks to human
health and environment if not managed properly. To facilitate the proper handling of scheduled
waste, information about the hazards associated with the wastes must be communicated through
proper labels and should be used by waste handlers. To ensure that the wastes are safely handled,
suitable containers are also needed to be used by waste generators. It is the responsibility of the
waste generators to ensure that scheduled wastes are packed based on the composition in a
manner suitable for handling, storage and transportation [ CITATION Dat15 \l 1033 ].

Storage means the holding of scheduled waste for a temporary period prior to the waste being
transported, treated and disposed. There are two types of storage such as on-site storage and off-
site storage. On-site storage where buildings or areas occupied to be used for the storage of any
scheduled waste which is produced on those premises meanwhile off-site storage is the premises
occupied or used for the storage, collection or transfer of any scheduled waste which is not
produced on those premises.

To facilitate proper packaging, labelling and storage of scheduled wastes in accordance to the
requirements of Regulation 8, Regulation 9 and Regulation 10 of Environmental Quality
(Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005 which came into force since 15th August 2005. The proper
packaging and labelling storage of scheduled waste will cover the areas such as legal
requirements regarding the storage of scheduled waste, site selection criteria of storage area,
design criteria and construction of storage area, selection of proper containers, labelling
containers and management of scheduled wastes stored.

The selection of on-site storage area should take into consideration such as a proper
designated area waste generator which away from employees and processing area, source of heat
or fire. Also, the storage area should not be located at areas that has potential flood or close to
the edge of hill or slopes. While for off-site storage area should comply with requirement
specified in the Guidelines for the Siting and Zoning of Industrial and Residential areas
[ CITATION Dat15 \l 1033 ].

Next, for the storage area of scheduled wastes should be designed, constructed and
maintained adequately in accordance to the following criteria to prevent spillage or leakage of
scheduled wastes into the environment. The design capacity should provide 25% extra storage
capacity of the actual maximum amount of waste generated. In addition, the scheduled waste
should be sampled and analyzed to identify hazards and contaminant in the waste. Furthermore,
an appropriate container should be selected according to the characteristics of the scheduled
wastes. The characteristics of scheduled wastes shall be compatible with the type of material
used for the container to prevent any reaction which will deteriorate the container. In normal
practice, scheduled wastes are stored in the containers such as bunghole drum, open top drum
with cover and clamp, intermediate bulk container, corrugated box or carton box, Flexible
Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs) and Polypropylene Big Bags. Thus, the cost of operation
and maintenance costs will vary substantially depending on the size of the facility and the types
of waste handle. Costs should be low if there is an inventory program in place. However, as
waste minimization requires higher cost, thus, many industry practitioners are reluctant to apply
waste management technique. Hence, an incentive or appropriate fund should be apply as being
one of the motivation to apply waste minimization in waste management.

References
A.H Sabeen, N. N. (2016). Minimizing the cost of Municipal solid waste management in Pasir Gudang
Johor Malaysia. Environmental Science.

California Stormwater BMP Handbook Municipal. (2003, January). Retrieved from

www.cabmphandbooks.com

Datin Paduka Che Asmah Ibrahim, R. Z. (2015). Guidelines for Packaging, Labelling and Storage of
Schedule Waste in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Department of Environment.

Pearce, D., & Turner, K. (1994). Economics and Solid Waste Management in the Developing World.
CSRGE Working Paper.