Incineration and its implications: The need for a sustainable waste management system in Malaysia

This study examines the current global situations of incineration as a waste management method. The objectives are to reiterate that incineration is not a sustainable waste management system in this 21^st century in Malaysia. Though, the proponents of incineration are trying to convince us to accept it is the best solution to reduce the large quantities of waste generated in Malaysia. However, studies around the world has shown strong oppositions of incineration even though it is been touted as another source of energy generation. This is because its environmental externalities overwhelms its advantages as there is no economic sense in building a waste management system that has a limited time of existence in this age of sustainable development. Recycling and composting of waste has proven that of all waste management methods to be generally accepted as only options which we could use to turn waste into wealth. The argument that incineration is waste to energy does not hold water as the end justifies the means. It is being myopic and not making a right decision in this contemporary world sustainable development has become a buzz word.