3Rs practices in Asia and the Pacific Islanda

• Main Authors: Agamuthu, P., Shahul Hamid, F.
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Q Science (General); Pacific; Islanda
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/12895/; http://eprints.um.edu.my/12895/1/8.3Rs_Practices_in_Asia_and_the_Pacific_Islands.pdf

This paper is aimed to scrutinize the current 3Rs practices in Asia and the Pacific Islands. It is also aimed to identify the various positive and negative factors which drive the success and failure of the 3Rs practices.Reduction strategies have been proven effective in Korea and Singapore where waste generation has reduced approximately 22% and 10%, respectively. In countries such as Malaysia, Thailand and the Pacific Islands, the implementation of 3Rs strategies into the existing waste management system have been a real struggle due to lack of public participation, low awareness or indifferent attitude of the community. Thus, introduction of 3Rs practices needs to be handled delicately. In countries like India and Bangladesh, recycling, particularly plastics, is at a very significant rate of 47% and 51%, respectively. Yet, it is mainly the result of economic driver where recycling is the full time profession for the poorer community. On the other hand, Singapore and Japan which recycled 57% and 21%, respectively of the total waste generated in 2008, has been at an increasing climb since the main motive that encouraged recycling practice is environmental awareness and legal factors. The issues, challenges and drivers for 3Rs implementation differed from one country to another and appropriate motivations and specific regulations for 3Rs practice are necessary in order to ensure a sustained 3Rs program in Asia and Pacific Islands.