By: Assoc. Prof. Ts. Ir. Dr. Shamsul Izhar Siajam

Malaysia confronts a mounting challenge with solid waste generation, producing a staggering 33,000 tonnes daily, exceeding the anticipated 2020 targets. Despite increased recycling efforts, the outcomes remain inadequate. To address this, the government plans to establish three large-scale incinerators in Kuala Lumpur, Johor, and Malacca. Concurrently, five universities are conducting research on waste management and environmental sustainability.

Currently, 95% to 97% of solid wastes in the peninsula are landfilled, with a mere 3% to 5% recycled, highlighting a critical gap in waste management infrastructure. The surge in E-waste, particularly from PCs, mobile phones, and flat-panel TVs, is alarming; by 2025, E-waste is projected to constitute over 90% of total solid waste. This trend jeopardizes metallic resources, including critical and precious metals, as these components often end up in landfills.

LCD panels, prevalent in E-waste due to upgrades in consumer electronics, represent a significant opportunity for recycling. Researchers are focusing on extracting valuable materials, such as indium from LCD waste and indium tin oxide targets, primarily using acid dissolution methods. Another promising approach involves subcritical water extraction, which utilizes water at its critical point to aid in hydrolysis and the decomposition of organic compounds - an environmentally beneficial solvent. However, the process of exfoliating liquid crystals in the LCD layer and understanding their fate under subcritical water conditions has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, it is essential to conduct fundamental studies on how subcritical water affects the properties of liquid crystals before pursuing their recovery.

Efforts to mitigate E-waste impacts are pivotal as LCD waste alone contributes significantly to landfill pressures and resource depletion. Fostering robust recycling frameworks, especially for high-value E-waste components, is crucial to curbing solid waste escalation and preserving vital resources for future generations.

Date of Input: 19/08/2024 | Updated: 03/07/2025 | puteriamirah