Waste Management and Recycling Practices in Selected Shopping Malls in Klang Valley, Malaysia

The growth of municipal solid waste and the environmental effects of disposal have increased the need for better separation and recycling. Shopping malls are important commercial settings, as retail, food-service and public activities produce several waste streams and involve many stakeholders. However, recycling facilities do not always lead to correct separation or consistent participation. This study assessed current waste management practices and investigated issues affecting recycling practice in three purposively selected shopping malls in Klang Valley, Malaysia. A qualitative multiple-case approach was used. Data were collected from April to June 2026 through three semi-structured interviews, involving one management representative from each mall, and structured site observations. Interview data were analysed using thematic content analysis supported by ATLAS.ti. The malls had recycling bins, source-separation arrangements, appointed waste contractors and programmes for selected materials. However, implementation differed between the cases. Common issues included incorrect separation, contamination of recyclable materials, limited awareness among new tenants and staff, space or capacity constraints, and inconsistent stakeholder participation. Respondents also described differences in monitoring systems, food-waste handling and public recycling activities. The findings indicate that clearer labels, repeated training, routine monitoring, better collection planning and systematic performance records may support more consistent recycling practice. Future studies should include more malls, other stakeholder groups and quantitative waste records to provide a broader assessment of recycling performance in commercial buildings.

shopping malls; waste management; recycling; waste segregation; Klang Valley INTRODUCTION

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