Enhancing Urban Sustainable Living within Universiti Sains Malaysia and Its Neighboring Communities

Proceeding of 2nd International Academic Consortium for Sustainable Cities Symposium (IACSC 2011), 10th -11th September 2011, University Conference Hall, USM, Penang.

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Enhancing Urban Sustainable Living within Universiti Sains Malaysia and Its Neighboring Communities*

Norizan Md Nor

Asyirah Abdul Rahim, Fera Fizani, Suzyrman Sibly, Tarmiji Masron, Syarilla Suhaili, Govindran Jegatesen, Siti Mariam, Amalina, Muhamad Azahar Abas and Ridzlie Ridzuan

Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS)

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang [email protected]

Abstract

USM has envisioned „sustainability‟ as a core development theme of the university in light of global sustainability issues. In becoming a world-renowned university for sustainability, USM facilitates sustainability attainment through i) innovations and technology, and ii) changes in lifestyles. Subsequently, CGSS has launched a project that engages its surrounding communities via the dissemination of USM‟s sustainability lifestyle practices – focusing on the areas of recycling and composting involving awareness campaigns at stakeholders‟ venues. It was initiated by conducting situational analyses with stakeholders, after which specific sustainability awareness/practices campaigns were then devised, encompassing the setting-up and monitoring of composting units and recycling bins at six schools (SMK Bukit Jambul, SMK Bukit Gambir, SMK Dato‟ Haji Mohd Noor Ahmad, SK Minden Height, SK Sungai Gelugor and SK Bukit Gambir), commercial entities (Giant Supermarket), residential areas (Taman Brown, Sungai Gelugor and Taman Tun Saadon) and an SME industry (Cincaria Sdn.Bhd) all located around USM‟s vicinity. We believe that this project will provide a platform to assess the level of sustainability integration across USM and its neighboring communities via community engagement practices. Participation from various community groups in the study area will also facilitate better understanding in finding ways to promote sustainability through awareness campaigns, knowledge transfer and community engagement on various levels.

(Keywords: sustainability, recycling, composting and community engagement)

Introduction

Green practices such as recycling and food/garden waste composting at schools, residential

areas and work should be primary goals toward attaining and maintaining sustainability;

unfortunately, such goals are often absent among urban inhabitants. Consequently, these

issues are challenges to be resolved if sustainable lifestyles are to be achieved among the

communities surrounding USM. This project aims to achieve sustainability integration by

encouraging and integrating sustainable lifestyles among communities together with USM

and relevant stakeholders via a campaign on sustainable lifestyles as the main agenda of the

project. Programs such as the University in A Garden, Kampus Sejahtera, White Coffin (ban

on polystyrene food packaging) and Say No to Plastic were initiated by the campus

community and were pivotal in transforming USM into a more livable and sustainable

campus. As it complements USM‟s Accelerated Programme for Excellence (APEX) mission

i.e. „Transforming Higher Education for A Sustainable Tomorrow,‟ this project will certainly

impact surrounding communities by promoting and inculcating sustainable lifestyles.

mailto:[email protected]


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Research Goals and Objectives

This research project aims to integrate and extend the university‟s efforts to achieve two major goals (a) to be a world-renowned university for sustainability and (b) to be a

sustainability-led university. Realizing that the university has a key role to play in searching

for ways to enhance sustainable living, this project attempts to extend what was promoted in

USM‟s campus to neighboring communities, as these communities are a good showcase for

mini-urban lifestyle activities given the diverse mini-urban land uses among them.

The main objectives of the project are:

a. to promote and diffuse USM‟s sustainable lifestyles to surrounding neighborhoods

b. to engage participants from various community levels into the sustainable agenda

c. to create an enabling environment toward realizing a sustainable community

d. to explore the challenges facing comprehensive sustainability implementation

This project is divided into 3 main phases:

1. Phase 1 – Situational Analyses activities to produce digital maps, collate

recommendations/ideas from stakeholders and prepare sustainable lifestyle kits for

“USM‟s Sustainability Neighborhood Area.”

2. Phase 2 – Data Collection and Community Engagement would increase awareness

and education activities via the project launch, followed by roadshows, campaigns &

seminars/workshops. Monitoring and assessment will be conducted during this phase.

3. Phase 3 – Analyses and Assessments will provide findings on project implementation

and suggest improvements for the project. Dissemination of research findings to

various stakeholders via newsletters, progress and project reports will follow.

Recycling and Composting in Penang: A Situational Analysis

The population increase has also caused the volume of solid waste in Malaysia to increase -

especially in urban areas, resulting in the great challenge facing Malaysia with regard to

proper solid waste management. In Malaysia, there is presently no periodical and systematic

analysis and documentation of waste generation rate resulting in inaccurate and outdated

databases (Nasir et.al, 2000). Most of Malaysia‟s waste is organic, making up more than 40%

of the total waste stream (Jalil, 2010). In the 1980s and 1990s, organic waste was

approximately 50% - consisting mostly of processed kitchen and food wastes.


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Table 1: Method of Waste Disposal in Malaysia

Treatment Percentage of waste disposed

2002 2006 2020

Recycling 5 5.5 22

Composting 0 1 8

Incineration 0 0 16.8

Inert landfill 0 3.2 9.1

Sanitary landfill

0 30.9 44.1

Other disposal sites

90 59.4 0

Total 100 100 100

Source: Periathamby and Hamid, 2009

In 2002, Malaysia‟s recycling rate was 5% (Table 1) and with a minimal increase is targeted

to be 22 % in 2020. The 3R‟s (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle), encourages consumers to recycle

items because recycling and composting of organic waste can reduce the amount of solid

waste generated - decreasing municipal costs in waste management; solid waste management

is a challenge for Penang due to limited space for landfills. According to state government

statistics, 15% of waste collected by the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) and 18%

by the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) are recycled. Unfortunately, the recycling

rate for plastics is just 3%, although plastics form 15% to 17% of Penang‟s waste (Menon &

Bhatt, 2010). Penang generates 700-800 tons of trash and the mainland about 800 tons – this

means that each person in Penang generates approximately 1 kg of waste daily.

Table 2: Composition of Municipal Solid Waste for Penang Island from 2003-2009

Waste composition (wet basis, wt %)

Sample source Residential (average)

Commercial (average)

Food waste 37.7 29.87

Paper 13.81 24.01

Cardboard 4.38 5.34

Plastic 16.68 22.4

Textile 3.16 2.23

Diaper 8.52 4.64

Rubber/Leather 1.84 1.57

Source: Penang Municipal Council, 2009


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Table 2 shows the composition percentage of Penang‟s municipal solid waste as produced by

residential and commercial premises. Food waste is the main solid waste generated followed

by plastic and then recyclables such as paper, cardboard and textile. Diapers are widely used

by family with children and although diapers are non-recyclable, they are compostable when

their plastic linings are removed. Similarly, hypermarkets and office buildings generate food

waste as their main solid waste followed by paper.

Certain institutional and residential areas in Penang have successfully implemented practices

in sustainable waste management. Since 2007, SMK Seri Balik Pulau together with the

Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA), Penang Municipal Council

(MPPP), the Education Department of Penang, and the Socio-Economic and Environmental

Research Institute (SERI) have implemented recycling banks with the aim of motivating and

encouraging pupils to adopt 3R practices. Consequently (from 2008 to 2009), recyclables

amounting to 22,137 kg have been sold to recycling agents. A Japanese composting method

aimed at solving waste problems in Asian countries - the Takakura Home Method (THM),

was introduced into Malaysia in 2010. SERI and CAP have since published a composting

manual for households providing a general overview of the composting process and

instructions for daily use. In 2007, SERI and CIDA-AIT launched a community composting

project using Indigenous Microorganism (IMOs) in Taman Duku, Bukit Mertajam in order to

tackle solid waste management problems.

Study Area

The study was undertaken in the Parliament Area of Bukit Gelugor, Penang. The area is

within an 8 km radius from Universiti Sains Malaysia encompassing 3 primary and 3

secondary schools, 4 residential estates, commercial premise and a Small Medium Enterprise.

Certain criteria assisted in the selection of this area. Firstly, the small geographic space

facilitates small or medium scale sustainability implementation (Mega, 2009). The selected

area also has various density populations and multicultural diversity comprising of Malays,

Chinese and Indians; additionally, the focus area also has high rise and landed housing

estates. The primary schools selected are S. K. Bukit Gambier, S. K. Minden Heights, S. K.

Sungai Gelugor, while the three secondary schools are S. M. K. Bukit Jambul, S. M. K. Bukit

Gambir and S. M. K. Datuk Haji Mohd Nor Ahmad. Residential areas chosen are Taman Tun

Sardon, Taman Brown, Sungai Gelugor, Lengkok Bawah Bukit Gelugor and Jalan Aquarium.

Commercial entities such as Giant Hypermarket Bayan Baru and Cincaria Sdn Bhd were also

included in this study.


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Figure 1: Location Map of Universiti Sains Malaysia and Its Neighboring Areas

Research Method

A participatory research framework based on the pilot project approach was used in this study

with an emphasis placed on action research strategies. It was designed by involving major

stake-holders (experts, urban municipalities, schools, households, industries and leaders) in

order to develop community skills for recycling and composting. Action research emphasizes

collaboration between researchers and practitioners (Avision et. al. 1999; Avision,

Baskerville & Myers, 2001) which aims to address the practical concerns of people in an

immediate problematic situation. In other words, it focuses on addressing problems through

collaboration (Avision, Baskerville and Myers, 2001).

(i) Participants

The participants of this research involves twenty identified stakeholders from USM‟s neighboring community area selected from education institutions,

governmental/NGOS‟s, residential areas, commercial, and industrial premises. These

twenty stakeholders are situated within an 8 kilometer radius from CGSS and were

selected via a situational analysis exercise based on our research objectives.


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Table 3: List of Stakeholders

Category Stakeholders

Institutional - Universiti Sains Malaysia - SMK Bukit Jambul - SMK Bukit Gambir - SMK Datuk Haji Mohd Nor Ahmad - SK. Bukit Gambir - SK. Minden Height - SK. Sungai Gelugor

Governmental/NGO‟s - Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang (MPPP)

- Perbadanan Pengurusan Sisa Pepejal dan Kebersihan Awam (PPSPPA)

- Yayasan Komuniti Pulau Pinang

- Majlis Belia Negeri Pulau Pinang

- Jabatan Alam Sekitar

- Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP)

Residential area - JKKK Taman Tun Saadon

- JKKK Taman Brown - JKKK Sungai Gelugor - JKKK Jalan Aquarium

Commercial - GIANT, Bayan Baru

Industry (SME‟s) - Cincaria Sdn.Bhd

Source: Fieldwork, Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS), 2011.

ii) Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Logical Framework Analysis (LFA)

Two qualitative methods were used in this project: Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and

Logical Framework Analysis (LFA). These qualitative methods were used to identify

problems and setbacks on issues facing recycling and composting activities. The employment

of both methods is crucial in understanding issues, challenges and the necessary solutions.

(iii) Target Groups’ Survey Distribution

A quantitative survey was conducted to assess community perception and level of

understanding toward sustainability elements. A pilot study involving 85 participants was

also conducted during the Community Outreach Programme held in Bukit Gedung with 437

questionnaires randomly distributed to stakeholders and later analyzed using the SPSS

software. Interviews were also employed during the survey. An interview with the Director

of MPPP contributed information/data regarding Penang‟s recycling programs while the


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Director of PPSPPA identified composting methods used by the organization. Data on school

recycling initiatives were also collected in a similar manner.

iii) Fieldwork

The allocation of recycling bins and composting stations were identified prior to the project‟s launch and location of recycling bins and composting stations can be found in Tables 4 and 5.

Initially, campaigns were conducted to identify and assess community perception and

awareness regarding Penang‟s recycling and composting programs. The first awareness campaign was held in the residential area of Bukit Gedung and a demonstration using THM

was also conducted by CGSS together with a pilot study. A campaign was also held at

GIANT Hypermarket involving consumers as respondents to disseminate recycling

information. Similar awareness campaigns on recycling and composting were held at schools.

Table 4: Location of Recycle Bins in USM and its Neighboring Communities

Stakeholders Location

Universiti Sains Malaysia 1) Centre for Global Sustainability Studies

2) School of Humanities 3) Pematang Pelajar

4) Cahaya Siswa Complex

5) Desasiswa Bakti Permai

6) Desasiswa Saujana

7) Hamzah Sendut Library (1)

Institutional 1) SMK Bukit Jambul 2) SK Bukit Gambir 3) SK Minden Height 4) SK Sungai Gelugor

Industry (SME) 1) Cincaria Sdn. Bhd

Residential 1) Jalan Aquarium Mosque

2) Taman Tun Sardon Food Court

3) Taman Brown Hall 4) Sungai Gelugor Hall



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Table 5: Location of Compost Stations in USM and its Neighboring Communities Stakeholders Location

Universiti Sains Malaysia 1) Sports Centre 2) Desasiswa Bakti Permai

3) Convocation Site

Institutional 1) SK Minden Height 2) SK Bukit Gambir 3) SMK Bukit Gambir 4) SMK Datuk Haji Muhammad Nor Ahmad

5) SMK Bukit Jambul


Findings and Discussion

i) Sustainable Lifestyle Awareness Campaign

Figure 2: Age Group of Respondents

Surveys aimed at identifying the level of urban sustainable lifestyle awareness were

distributed during the awareness campaign to 437 respondents and the findings analyzed

using SPSS Version 19. Figure 2 shows the age groups of the respondents, with respondents

aged below 20 at 46.7% within the age range of 12-20 years – indicating that most of the

respondents were school students. 20.6% of the respondents were aged between 20-29 years,

15.6% of the respondents were between 30-39 years, 11.9% of the respondents were between

40-49 years and finally, 5.3% of the respondents were aged between 50-59 years.


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Figure 3: Location of Respondents

Figure 3 depicts the geographic locations of our project. GIANT Hypermarket had the highest

percentage of respondents comprising 38.2% of the 437 respondents interviewed during the

three day awareness campaign. Specific target groups for both primary and secondary schools

(10% from an entire school‟s population) were chosen to represent a school. SMK Datuk Haji

Mohd Nor Ahmad respondents were 18.5%, SMK Bukit Gambir 10.3%, SMK Bukit Jambul

11.0%, SK Minden Height 7.8%, SK Sg. Gelugor 6.2% and Cincaria Sdn Bhd had 8.0%.

Figure 4: Awareness on Sustainable Development


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Figure 4 depicts the sustainability awareness of respondents with regard to various education

levels. Respondents were varied and included those at the university level to respondents who

were classified as non-educated. The data shows us that while most respondents are aware

and understand the concept of sustainable development, there remained a small percentage of

respondents who were uninformed of the concept of sustainable development.

Table 6 states criteria contributing toward sustainable communities and cities, and the

attainment of sustainable development. Awareness campaigns were conducted at selected

schools and community outreach programs, with recycling facilities holding the highest

criteria percentage in our study area. 296 out of the 437 respondents (67.7%) agreed that

recycling facilities were available in their residential areas, while 310 from the 437

respondents (70.9%) agreed that planting of shade-providing trees is sustainable. On the other

hand, composting initiatives were still rather low as only 157 per 437 respondents (35.9%)

had composting exposure with the remaining respondents lacking all knowledge of

composting. 320 out of 437 respondents (73.2%) agree that they live in a community imbued

with sustainability elements i.e. 1) an active neighborhood and 2) an enthusiastic community.

Table 6: Sustainability Practices in our Study Area

Elements Frequency Percentage

(%)

Preparation of recycling facilities 296 67.7%

Planting of trees that provide shade 310 70.9%

Exposure on composting initiatives 157 35.9%

Efficient management of solid waste 192 43.9%

Utilization of energy-saving products 280 64.1%

Availability of facilities for the disabled 200 45.8%

Recreations and green space facilities 312 71.4%

Active neighborhood and an enthusiastic community 320 73.2%

Quality residences for all community members 314 71.9%

Affordable pricing for all goods 310 70.9%

Source: Fieldwork, Centre for Sustainability Studies (CGSS), 2011.


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Figure 5: Mediums for Information on Sustainable Development

Figure 5 projects the percentage of how consumers obtain their information on sustainable

development via different mediums. 30.7% (134) of the respondents gained such information

through newspapers, magazines and educational books - largely because the respondents

were mostly university educated. The internet constituted 28.1% (123) of the respondents

followed by the “Others” 20.8% (91) category which is considered other kinds of media.

In Table 7, the elements of sustainable lifestyle practices elicit various outcomes. 182

respondents (41.6%) now observe water-saving measures, such as ensuring faucets are

completely turned off and utilizing pails when washing cars. In waste management practices,

173 respondents (39.6%) now separate recyclables such as papers, plastic bottles, glass and

aluminum cans while utilizing recyclable products such as reusable bags when grocery

shopping. Unfortunately, the transportation element is still rather low with 155 respondents

(35.5%) opting to utilize their own vehicles instead of public transportation systems.


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Table 7: Respondents‟ Feedback toward Sustainable Lifestyle Practices

Elements Never practiced Rarely practiced Practiced sometimes

Often practiced Most often practiced

Frequency % Frequency % Frequency % Frequency % Frequency %

Energy saving 17 3.9 52 11.9 118 27 170 38.9 80 18.3

Waste management

17 3.9 40 9.2 90 20.6 173 39.6 117 26.8

Water saving 17 3.9 41 9.4 80 18.3 182 41.6 117 26.8

Transportation 21 4.8 53 12.1 127 29.1 155 35.5 81 18.5

Consumption 19 4.3 35 8 123 28.1 161 36.8 99 22.7


ii) Recycling

Table 8 shows the composition of recyclables at schools which were collected after two

weeks from recycling bins with the items weighed and sold to vendors. SMK Bukit Gambir

generated the highest income (RM38.95), followed by SMK Bukit Jambul (RM 21.05) and

SK Sungai Gelugor (RM20.30). The most recycled items were mixed and white papers at

56kg and 55kg respectively. Plastic was at 18 kg, newspapers at 13 kg, metals at 10 kg, boxes

at 6 kg and aluminum cans at 0.5kg. Results indicate that recycling rates were still low due to

a lack of recycling bins and awareness programs.

Table 8: Composition of Recyclables Generated at Schools

Location Weight (kg) Income (RM) White

Paper Mixed Paper

Boxes Newspapers Metal Aluminum Cans

Plastics

SMK Bukit Jambul

24 10 0 13 0 0 0 21.05

SMK Bukit Gambir

32 18 5 0 10 0 0 38.95

SK Sungai Gelugor

21 11 3 0 0 0.5 7 20.3

SK Minden Height

0 8 8 0 0 0 9 9.9

SK Bukit Gambir

0 9 0 0 0 0 2 5.1

Total 55 56 16 13 10 0.5 18 95.3

Source: Fieldwork, Centre for Sustainability Studies (CGSS), 2011.


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iii) Composting

Food waste is non-recyclable and is usually sent to landfills, but when managed efficiently

via composting, the amount of food waste generated can be reduced. Various composting

techniques were implemented at USM and selected schools utilizing THM, Heap Composting

and Cage Composting. THM was introduced by PPSPPA while heap and cage composting

were both introduced by a visiting professor - Prof. Sultan Ismail from The New College,

India. Different composting methods are used for different types of waste e.g. cage and heap

composting methods are suitable for garden waste but THM is more suited to kitchen waste.

THM is challenging on a larger scale as it requires many ingredients and procedures, while

cage and heap composting are both practical in a school setting and use cow feces as the main

source of microorganisms to degrade solid waste. The five schools chosen as case studies are

SMK Bukit Jambul, SMK Datuk Haji Muhammad Nor Ahmad, SMK Bukit Gambir, SK

Minden Height and SK Bukit Gambir. Cage composting was applied to all schools except SK

Bukit Gambir. The total weight of solid waste used at Universiti Sains Malaysia was 748kg in

contrast to those used at schools (75kg) due to differences in space area and waste

composition. In all composting methods, the estimated weight of the product is lower than

that of the initial waste used due to the degradation process of solid waste (See Table 9).

Table 9: Composting Activity in Universiti Sains Malaysia and its Neighboring Communities

Method/Location Material (kilogram) Estimated end product (composted

manure)

Soil Chicken feed

Food/garden waste

Cow dung

Universiti Sains Malaysia

Takakura method 0.5kg 0.25kg 0.5kg - ≤ 1kg

Heap composting - - 128kg 10kg ̀ ≤ 32kg

Cage composting - - 120kg 10kg ≤ 30kg

Total 748kg ≤ 63kg

Schools

SMK Bukit Jambul (cage composting)

- - 12kg 2kg ≤ 3kg

SMK Bukit Gambir (cage composting)

- - 14kg 2kg ≤ 3.5kg

SMK Datuk HMNA (heap composting)

- - 17kg 2kg ≤ 4.25kg

SK Minden Height (cage composting)

- - 18kg 2kg ≤ 4.5kg

SK Bukit Gambir (heap composting)

- - 14kg 2kg ≤ 3.5kg

Total 75kg ≤ 18.75kg


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Conclusion

Recycling and composting initiatives are crucial steps in promoting sustainability in urban

environments/communities – consequently, public participation is crucial in sustaining such

projects. 3R contributes greatly in reducing the amount of waste produced daily and while 3R

implementation is possible, a change in societal attitude and lifestyles is indisputably

necessary. Reduction in daily resource consumption entails lesser usage of energy and natural

resources for a more sustainable future; notably, a growth of 22.0% in recycling and

composting is required if Malaysia is to reach its 2020 recycling goal. The project discussed

in this paper is still in the midst of implementation and it is hoped that it will attain its desired

goals with long-term monitoring and continuous improvement within a set time frame.

* This study is based on an “on-going” research project under the “Delivering Excellence” program funded by Universiti Sains Malaysia (April 2011-March 2012).

Reference:

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Avision, D., F. Lau, P. A. Neilsen, and M. Myers (1999). Action research projects. Communication of ACM, 42(1): 94-97.

Avision, D., R. Baskerville, and M. Myers (2010). Controlling action research projects. Information Technology and People, 14(1): 28-45.

Sustainable Development in Malaysia: A Case Study on Household Waste Management. Journal of Sustainable Development, 3(3): 91-102.

Mohd Nasir Hassan, Rakmi Abdul Rahman, Theng Lee Chong, Zulina Zakaria and Muhammad Awang (2000). Waste recycling in Malaysia: Problems and prospects. Journal of Waste Management & Research, 18: 320-328.

Documents

Enhancing Urban Sustainable Living within Universiti Sains Malaysia and Its Neighboring Communities