Biodegradable material in composting: Green initiatives in northern Malaysia and Indonesia

Abstract

Composting is an aerobic or anaerobic organic waste decomposition process that is biologically produced. It is a method in managing solid waste, more specifically organic waste, that consists of food and agricultural waste. Disposal of food waste on a daily basis has led to the launching of several studies through a programme conducted to raise awareness and provide information to the public regarding the benefits of managing food waste. In Malaysia, a Taka kura based composting programme was held in Village A, a rural township in the state of Kedah, in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia. Meanwhile in Indonesia, an overlay brick composting programme was held at RW22 to look at the level of knowledge and practice of residents about composting activities before and after the composting programme was implemented. The results of programmes in both countries showed that the level of knowledge and awareness of the population about food waste management has risen to a higher level than before the implementation of the programme, which was based on briefings and demonstrations given and shown to the public on solid waste management by composting. In fact, the villagers also adopted these composting activities after the programme.