It was reported in June last year that Malaysia spent about RM1 billion a year to manage solid waste generated in the country, and that by the year 2020, Malaysians will generate some 30,000 tonnes of solid waste daily, which is an unsustainable pattern.

Dr. K. Kalithasan, coordinator of the River Care Programme at the Global Environment Centre (GEC), explains the whole concept of solid waste to us and the many problems that arise from improper management of it, both to the environment and the economy.