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THE THREE Rs in
SUSTAINABILITY
(REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE)
DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING COMMON
COURSES
SEMESTER 2 2016/17
COEB 422
PROJECT

NAME ID. NUM

SHAHIRA AMIRA BINTI SHAARI EP098319
NURAINAA NAJIHAH BINTI SHAHARUDIN EE097726
NURUL AUNI BINTI DARUL HISHAM EP098312
UMI NUR SYAHIRAH BINTI ROSLAN EP097855
NUR FATIN FARADILA BINTI NOR FAIZAL EE098255

SECTION 01
Ir. Hj. MOKHTAR BIN MAJID
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE

ABSTRACT..............................................................................................................

OBJECTIVES............................................................................................................

INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................

LITERATURE REVIEW..........................................................................................

CONTENTS............................................................................................................

CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................

APPENDIX.............................................................................................................

REFERENCES..

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 ABSTRACT

In this project, it is required that a discussion is made on how 3R culture is being

inculcated in develop countries and in Malaysia. Furthermore, a discussion on how much

difference can it make if society plays their part in the 3Rs is also required. Research studies

from academic publications are made to comply with the tasks given.

Next, a survey on the awareness relating to the 3Rs in sustainability was conducted and

the results and data are presented in this project.

It is also required that ways to improve understanding and behaviour towards the 3Rs for

sustainable development is being suggested.

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 OBJECTIVES

1. To manifest professionalism as future engineers in Malaysia.

2. Able to thought sufficiently about the role of the engineer in the society via

professional Code of Ethics / Code of Professional Conducts.

3. Able to relate real case studies in Malaysia / World regarding 3Rs (reduce, reuse,

recycle) in sustainability.
4. Able to communicate and able to develop management skills especially in human

relations, decision making, to lead and be a team advisor or coordinator.

5. Able to advocate and to champion the conclusions reached by professional

competence through writing and to show by examples that ethics and high integrity

are fundamental in professional service.

6. Able to address the relevant safety, sustainability, intellectual rights issues that arises

in the scope of project

7. Improving skills that are associated with conducting survey, data collection and able

to produce meaningful conclusions.

8. Able to recognize the importance of good communication skills for engineers by

completing the memos, reports and interpreting tasks.

INTRODUCTION

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The three R's - reduce, reuse and recycle - all help to cut down on the amount of waste we

throw away. They conserve natural resources, landfill space and energy. Plus, the three R's

save land and money communities must use to dispose of waste in landfills.

Based on Cambridge Dictionary Online,

Reduce is to become or to make something become smaller in size, amount,

degree, importance, etc.

Reuse is to use something again.
Recycle is to use something again for the same or new purposes.

From the above statement, we can conclude that the three Rs (Reduce, reuse and recycle)

are the three essential components of environmentally-responsible consumer behaviour. We

as consumers cannot stop waste production entirely and the fact of creating a Zero Waste

Nation is impossible. Thus, the 3Rs play a crucial role by preventing waste generation at its

source and bringing along numerous benefits.

Use only what you need

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 Convert waste into useul products Reuse thing for
the other purposes

Why practise the 3Rs

Protect the environment

Conserve limited resources

Reduce space needed for waste disposal facilities

Extend the lifespan of landfill

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 PRACTISING 3Rs
REUSE

Plan a shopping list to avoid impulsive

purchases
Bring a reusable shopping bag to reduce
usage of plastic or paper bags
Purchase items
o with less packaging
o that will last longer
o that are refillable
o that will not go out of fashion quickly
Borrow, share or hire things that are only
needed occasionally

Store perishable food in the refrigerator

Cook just sufficient food for meals
Minimise the use of disposable wares,
e.g. disposable forks, spoons, cups
Pack meals in reusable containers

Opt for electronic statements/newsletters

In the absence of electronic mail, request
for only a set of newsletter/flyer from
sender if a few members of the household
receive the same reading materials
Use rag instead of paper tissue for
cleaning

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 REDUCE
PAPER

Convert scrap paper into memo pads

PLASTIC

Reuse medicine containers for travel

toiletries
Use unwantedplastic bagsto contain
household waste before disposal into refuse
bins or chutes
Usereusable bagswhen doing grocery
GLASS
shopping

Reuse used glass containers as receptacles

CLOTHING

Use old clothing as rags for cleaning

Pass on old clothing in good/usable condition
to others
OTHERS

Reuse your mouse pad as an insulator for

placing hot objects, or as a coaster
Pass old textbooks, story books, and toys
toothers
Repair and recondition faulty electronic
appliances to extend their useful lives
Clean and reuse ornaments for the next
festive season

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 RECYCLE

Segregate recyclables
from waste.

Empty food or liquid

residue, if any; rinse if
needed.

Place recyclables in a
household recycling
receptacle, e.g. used
plastic bag or cardboard
box

Deposit recyclables into

recycling bin.

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 LITERATURE REVIEW

A research paper [1] highlighted that the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) system were

proposed with priority on source minimization, intermediate treatment then final disposal and

enlighten the waste generators to practice 3Rs as a substantial measure to reduce, reuse and

recycle the generated solid waste. It also opposes that the quantity of waste will increase if

not well managed and disposed which may pose to :

Vulnerability of risks to human health and other living organisms.

Environmental effects
Higher running cost implication

This paper also provides readers with 3Rs different measures and skilful techniques to

minimize the volume of discarded waste materials such as The Solid Waste Management

Hierarchy.

Most
Preferred

Source Reduction
Least
Preferred
Reuse

Recycling

Resource Recovery

Incineratio
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n 9
La
n
d
fill
Another journal [2] proposed modern strategies to the waste collection and management

system are conducted based on the 3Rs concept. The implementation of the 3Rs project

involves the following steps :

Demarcation of the project area.

Stakeholder Analysis

Stakeholder Consultations

Baseline Survey

The journal also provides an action plane which serve as the basis of all initiatives and

approaches to be taken for accomplishment of the 3Rs project.

However, there would be some risk with the plan. Predicted risks and their mitigation plan

could arise from the following points which need to be mitigated :

No cooperation of the stakeholders (household, waste collector etc)

Political disturbance
Protection from the waste pickers

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 Non-compliance in source separation
Non-compliance in source separation
Digesters events
Health risk of waste collector

HOW THE 3Rs CULTURE IS BEING INCULCATED IN DEVELOPED

COUNTRIES AND IN MALAYSIA

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 Reuse, reduce and recycle have been an important guidance to cut down an amout of

waste . In fact in Malaysia we use 3Rs as a guideline so that we can live in healthy

environment. There are many ways our country used to inculcate 3Rs into the citizens daily

life . There are a lot of awareness programs has been done such as [3] 3Rs hunt which is a

treasure hunt race. It is to give an awareness about waste in landfills. Plus it is also to learn

and appreciate the importance of waste management likes recycling, reuse and reduce (3Rs)

and the importance of a low ecological footprint. 3Rs hunt is a platform to educate the public

about 3Rs which are reduce, reuse and recycle [4]. Then , there are also yearly programs

such as waste wise program which is usually held at the school as to inculcate and revive the

spirit of recycling among school children. The students will collect the recycle things by

using on call system. This program is to improve the way we manage our waste through

waste minimization and reuse and recycling of materials. Besides, Earth Hour is one of the

program 3R. It is a lights-off program held in oder to reduced energy consumption in our

country. On 11 November 2013, Malaysia had announced the National Recycling Day to

inculcate the habit of recycling among the population. Malaysia also had declared on every

Saturday is a plastic bags free day. The main point is to avoid plastic waste pollution

problems that are always increase from time to time. Citizens are encouraged to bring their

own plastic bags or Eco-friendly bags.

Malaysia also provides recycling bins to the public. There are three types of recycling

bins that have been provided by the government to dispose the recyclable items. Each color

of the bins represents different uses. These recycling bins come in various sizes 80 liters,

120 liters, 240 liters, 360 liters, and 660 liters. First is blue color which is used for paper. All

colored and non-colored paper such as newspapers, magazines, books, catalogue sheets,

brochures, calendars, cars, envelopes, and cardboard boxes not including the tissue paper,

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carbon paper, baking sheets/aluminum, laminated paper, and dirty paper. Second is brown

color. It is used for glass. All colored and non-colored glass such as soft drink bottles, food

containers, vitamin bottles, and cosmetic bottles not including the crystal, mirrors, window

glasses, vehicle screens, porcelain, ceramic, metal, lab items, and jars or toxic glass bottles.

The last one is orange color. It is used for aluminum tins, steel tins, and plastic. All kinds of

aluminum and steel tins such as soft drink tins and food product tins. All colored and non-

colored tins such as shopping bags, bottle drinks, mineral water bottles, food containers,

detergent bottles, and vitamin bottles. It is not including the paint tins, toxic containers, lab

items, and styrofoam containers.

Other than that, our country also grab a chance by building Putrajaya city (Green

city). Putrajaya city had been reuse for local resources in construction. It reuse crushed stones

from the stone hill for the construction of rock filled that can reduce the construction costs.

This small crushed stone will be used as road pavement materials and it is also had use 16

hectares of palm oil biomass composition for the wetlands landscape usage. There is a waste

minimization and reuse of water. A large-scaling of rainwater harvesting by using lakes for

retention pond and the water will be reuse for landscape irrigation purposes. The reuse of

sewage water from the sewage treatment facility for landscape irrigation purposes[5].

Education is one of the important thing in our country so the government had find a better

way to inculcate 3Rs by changing the textbook to e-book. The purpose is to reduce the paper

use in our daily life.

3Rs also had been used in develop country such as Australia. Australia also made a lot

of awareness programs just like Malaysia which are an Earth hour, Say no to plastic bags and

refill your own drink bottle. [6]WWF-AUSTRALIA welcome support for battery

storage is also the way to inculcate the nitizen. This is to encourage

households and to purchase renewable energy storage systems. It is good

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for the environment and can reduce power bills and it also ease the

pressure on our energy networks during peak demand periods. Australia

also take an advantage in education to inculcate the 3Rs by changing

textbook to e-book as it can reduce the paper use.

[6]Then, Australia also active promoting sustainable food production.

WWF-Australia work together with governments to help producers make

the transition to sustainable practices. This also promote credible

standards and with food industry associations to set sector-wide

sustainability targets. Then, there is the coca cola foundation which is to

conserve the worlds freshwater resources. It is also to achieve ambitious

goals to reduce the companys ecological footprint.[7]Recycling signage is

one of the way to inculcate 3Rs which is an attachment sticker to

recycling bins. It is to ensure patrons and workers place the materials into

the correct bins. Zero Waste is a program that practical advices and tools

for managing waste and recycling.

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 HOW MUCH DIFFERENCE CAN IT MAKE IF THE SOCIETY
PRACTICING THE 3Rs ?

There is a huge difference it can make if the society practice the 3Rs in daily routine.

One of the differences is we can conserves energy and natural resources. We used less energy

by only using a recycled materials in manufacture than using completely raw materials. In

3Rs, we are conserving natural resources like trees, water, and mineral ores. For example, by

recycling a ton of papers we can save 7,000 gallons of water. Besides, the more we reduce,

reuse and recycle our waste, the less trash we put in landfills. Therefore, the less space we

have to devote to landfills. By practicing this method, it is not just to reduce the usage of

landfills to pile garbage, it also can help us to reduce the pollution. Major source of pollutions

are come from the landfills. Toxic emission from landfills leach into our air, water and soils.

This is why it is important for us to recycle hazardous material mindfully. Even "ordinary"

waste produces large amounts of methane in landfills which are 20-30 times more potent in it

climate change effects than carbon dioxide. Last but not least, by practicing 3Rs in our daily

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routine we can also help to save lots of money. This practice can prevent valuable materials

from going to waste. For example, when we turn an old jeans into a school bag. We can save

our money from buying a new bag and it is also a good practice for college student like us to

save our allowance.

RESULTS OBTAIN FROM THE SURVEY CONDUCTED

A survey has been conducted towards 30 peoples of teenagers and adults. The main

purpose of this survey is to ensure whether the Malaysian peoples are aware about 3Rs in

sustainability. This survey was conducted by giving them questionnaire forms that been

conducted online.

Based on the survey conducted, only 80% of them have heard the term sustainability

in 3Rs but 100% of them do agree that 3Rs in sustainability is important. Next, most of the

respondents stated that they learn about 3Rs in school or universities and through the internet

and campaign that been held in Malaysia.

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 Another question regarding whether they practice 3Rs in their lives had been asked to

the respondents. Three quarter of them states that they do own reused items at their home.

Examples of the reused items are plastic bottles which are being used as temporary fuel

funnel and vases, shoe boxes are used as book storages, plastic bags are used as trash bags,

tyres are used as flower pots, printed papers are used as draft papers, newspapers are being

used as glass cleaners and aquariums, pipes and wires are being used to make an automatic

pet feeder. Other than that, 10 of them states that they often used recycling bins and half of

them states that they do sometimes separate recycle wastes and non-recycle wastes at home.

When conducting the survey, we do asked the respondents on how important do they

think 3Rs in sustainability. 70% of them show interest in learning more about 3Rs and they

also agreed that their personal effort in practicing the 3Rs can make changes to the world. On

top of that, most of them do agree that each one of them carries a huge responsibility to help

making a difference in environmental issues. As we know, a lot of campaigns and events were

being held in Malaysia to spread the awareness about 3Rs and based on the survey 50% of

them states that the campaigns and events are actually work and give positive impact to the

society.

As a conclusion, the Malaysian people are actually aware about 3Rs in sustainability

however we are lacking of practices on the 3Rs. Thus, we believe that we can improve our

understanding on 3Rs in sustainability by educating peoples through social media

advertisement such as youtube, getting a popular person to influence the people to participate

practising the 3Rs while explaining the importance, relevance, procedure and whatnot of 3Rs

and make practicing 3Rs a fun way of living routine that can generate general interest which

can attracts wider audience and making better infrastructure for segregation and disposal of

wastes facilities.

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 SUGGESTED WAYS TO IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING AND
BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS 3Rs DEVELOPMENT

We are quickly running out of space. It is time to learn the 3R's of the

environment: reduce, reuse, recycle. Then practice what you preach, do not buy things you do

not need or items that come in wasteful packaging or that cannot be recycled. Reuse and

recycle whatever you can.

Reducing the amount of waste you produce is the best way to help the

environment [10]. There are lots of ways to do this. For example, buy products that do not

have a lot of packaging. Some products are wrapped in many layers of plastic and paperboard

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even though they do not need to be. You can also look for things that are packed in materials

that do not require a lot of energy or resources to produce. Some products will put that

information right on their labels.

Instead of buying something you are not going to use very often, see if you can

borrow it from someone you know [8]. Cars use up energy and cause pollution. Some ways to

reduce the environmental damage caused by cars include carpooling with friends, walking,

taking the bus, or riding your bike instead of driving.

Start a compost bin. Some people set aside a place in their yard where they can

dispose of certain food and plant materials. Over time, the materials will break down through

a natural process called decomposition. The compost is good for the soil in your yard and it

means that less garbage will go to the landfill.

We can reuse instead of throwing things away by trying to find ways to use them

again. For example, bring cloth sacks to the store with you instead of taking home new paper

or plastic bags. You can use these sacks again and again. You will be saving some trees.

Plastic containers and reusable lunch bags are great ways to take your lunch to

school without creating waste. Coffee cans, shoe boxes, margarine containers, and other types

of containers that people throw away can be used to store things or can become fun arts and

crafts projects. Use your imagination.

Many of the things we use every day, like paper bags, soda cans, and milk cartons

are made out of materials that can be recycled. Recycled items are put through a process that

make it possible to create new products out of the materials from the old ones. In addition to

recycling the things you buy, you can help the environment by buying products that contain

recycled materials. Many brands of paper towels, garbage bags, greeting cards, and toilet

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papers, to name a few examples, will tell you on their labels if they are made from recycled

materials.

In some towns you can leave your recyclables in bins outside your home, and a

truck will come and collect them regularly. Other towns have recycling centres where you

can drop off the materials you have collected. Things like paper and plastic grocery bags, and

plastic and aluminium cans and bottles can often be brought to the grocery store for

recycling. Whatever your system is, it is important to remember to rinse out and sort your

recyclables [9].

There are also a few ways to improve understanding and behaviour towards this

development. First, we can make campaign on 3Rs. This campaign can be conduct in mall,

office and school to encourage people to work this out. Next is making advertisement on 3Rs

in many ways such as through newspaper or media social such as Facebook or Twitter [11].

By doing so, people will get to know and understand easily on how to improve the behaviour

towards 3Rs.

Last but not least, we can also separate this 3Rs development through education in

schools. There are a lot of activities such as games, events on how to encourage students to

improve their understanding. There are also some books that can teach students about

environment, which are Science Fair Fun and Teach About the Environment.

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 CONCLUSION

In conclusion to this project, our earth will always be our home. We people of this

world are one big community and need to come together to solve this problem of an ever

filling world of trash. We as individuals can make a difference, and the first step to make

a difference is by becoming aware. Reducing the waste, reusing the products and

recycling the trash we can make a happier healthier world for all.

REFERENCES

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[1] Jibril, Jibril Dan Azimi, Ibrahim Bin Sipan, Maimunah Sapri, Suleiman Aliyu Shika,

Mona Isa, and Shahabudin Abdullah. "3R s Critical Success Factor in Solid Waste

Management System for Higher Educational Institutions." Procedia - Social and Behavioral

Sciences 65 (2012): 626-31. Web.

[2] Chowdhury, Dr. Ahmedul Hye, Niaz Mohammad, Md. Rajib Ul Haque, and Dr.

Tafazzal Hossain. "Developing 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse And Recycle) Strategy for Waste

Management in the Urban Areas of Bangladesh: Socioeconomic and Climate Adoption

Mitigation Option." IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food

Technology 8.5 (2014): 09-18. Web.

[3] http://www.mengo.org/news/latest-news/172-3r-hunt-set-to-challenge-malaysians-to-

learn-and-appreciate-the-importance-of-recycling,-reuse-and-reduce-3r

[4] http://www.kettha.gov.my/portal/index.php

[5] O.Hashim .Transformasi Putrajaya ke arah bandar hijau pelopor di Malaysia.

[6] http://www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au/resource-centre/publications/events

[7] http://www.wwf.org.au/what-we-do

[8] http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0775891.html

[9] https://dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp/pubs-reports/threers.htm

[10] http://ehs.columbia.edu/ReduceReuseRecycle.html

[11] http://www.letsrecycle.com/news/latest-news/benn-launches-reduce-reuse-recycle-

campaign/

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