Design for Disassembly as Support Trend towards Extended Producer Responsibility Policy in Malaysia

Abstract

The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy has been implemented in numerous developed countries across the world, for the purpose of the recycling and disposal of solid waste. In Malaysia, the EPR policy has not yet been implemented as a full policy, but there exist some elements in the existing national solid waste management policy that have similarities with the EPR policy, since the 1980s. Currently, the trend towards implementing this policy is becoming stronger with the introduction of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act (SWPCMA) in 2007, and the 10th Malaysian Plan (10MP) in 2010, which clearly incorporate elements of the EPR policy. Moreover, the Malaysian Government has recently cooperated with the Japanese Government to draft a new framework to manage e-waste (i.e. electrical and electronic equipment waste), which include provisions of the EPR policy. With this scenario, it is highly important for both the manufacturing and construction industries to consider incorporating the Design for Disassembly (DFD) into their processes. The DFD is needed to support the EPR policy, since the DFD provides design and technical support that contributes to the successful implementation of the policy. Unfortunately, although the EPR policy is expected to be implemented in the near future, the majority of industries involved are not yet equipped with the skills and knowledge to integrate the DFD in their processes. This study aims to address this issue, and elaborate on how industries should take into consideration the incorporation of the DFD into their processes, in order to support the implementation of the EPR in the near future.