Malaysia’s production industry especially the construction industry embraces sustainable practices and waste management to reduce its environmental footprint. The country’s commitment to circular economy principles has paved the way for innovative business opportunities that leverage waste materials in construction. Therefore, the potential for entrepreneurs to capitalize on waste materials, particularly in the construction sector, to drive economic growth while promoting environmental stewardship is needed, especially in coming years, towards Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG).
Construction and demolition waste, such as concrete, bricks, and asphalt, can be recycled and transformed into high-quality aggregates with proper methods and processes. Entrepreneurs can establish businesses specializing in collecting, processing, and supplying recycled aggregates to construction companies. These recycled materials offer a cost-effective or costless alternative to traditional aggregates and find applications in road construction, building foundations, and landscaping projects.
While addressing the demand for effective insulation materials, businesses can produce sustainable options using waste materials such as recycled newspaper, cardboard, or denim. Entrepreneurs can market these eco-friendly insulation materials to builders, architects, and homeowners who prioritize sustainability and energy efficiency. By reducing dependence on conventional insulation materials, these businesses contribute to waste reduction and promote a greener construction industry by reducing carbon emissions.
With the increasing concern over plastic waste, entrepreneurs can manufacture recycled plastic composite products for the construction sector. By collecting and processing plastic waste, businesses can create durable and low-maintenance products such as decking, fencing, and outdoor furniture. These innovative alternatives reduce reliance on virgin plastics, mitigate environmental harm, and address the industry’s sustainability challenges. A book titled “Recycled Plastic Materials” edited by Dr. Md. Rezaur Rahman and Dr. Muhammad Khusairy Bin Bakri by top leading publisher Elsevier shows all plastic waste can be recycled into useful products, which can be used in daily life and reduces almost half of the production of new materials in production. Most of these products can is comparable according to international standards.
Entrepreneurs can leverage waste materials, including fly ash, slags, or crushed glass, to produce sustainable bricks and tiles. These environmentally friendly building materials offer comparable or even enhanced performance while reducing the environmental footprint of the construction sector. By establishing businesses that manufacture these products, entrepreneurs contribute to the circular economy and promote sustainable building practices. A book called “Waste Materials in Advanced Sustainable Concrete” edited by Dr. Chin Mei Yun, Dr. Md. Rezaur Rahman, and Dr. Muhammad Khusairy Bin Bakri, published by top leading publisher Springer shows that all leverage waste materials can be used for building, houses, road, etc. reduces, which stored almost half of the carbon storage. These materials ended up reducing waste in landfill and reducing carbon footprint as well lower cost for production.
The demand for green roofs, which offer benefits such as energy efficiency and stormwater management, presents an opportunity for entrepreneurs to utilize waste materials. Businesses can specialize in designing and installing green roofs using recycled materials. For example, recycled rubber or plastic can be used as the base layer for waterproofing, while recycled aggregates and compost can form the growing medium. By capitalizing on this trend, entrepreneurs contribute to developing sustainable urban environments.
Entrepreneurs can tap into the growing popularity of prefabricated construction methods by manufacturing modular structures using recycled materials. These structures, made from waste materials, offer sustainable and customizable solutions for various construction projects, including affordable housing, classrooms, and temporary shelters. These businesses play a crucial role in reducing construction waste and improving resource efficiency by promoting waste materials.
Sustainable construction practices and waste management in Malaysia present lucrative business opportunities for entrepreneurs. By focusing on waste materials and their innovative utilization, businesses can contribute to the construction sector’s growth while promoting environmental stewardship. Whether through recycled aggregate production, sustainable insulation materials, recycled plastic composites, sustainable bricks and tiles, green roofing solutions, or prefabricated modular structures, entrepreneurs have the potential to reshape the industry and pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future.
Ts. Dr. Hj. Muhammad Khusairy Bin Capt. Hj. Bakri is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Composite Materials and Engineering Center, Washington State University (WSU), and a Faculty-Staff member for the Center of Bioplastics and Biocomposites (CB2) for North Dakota State University (CB2), United States of America, and a Lead Research and Development Sector of the Association of Professional Technicians and Technologists (APTT) Sarawak, Listed and indexed in the “Science and Research” category on the Fifth Edition of “Successful People in Malaysia” by Britishpedia as a successful young researcher in Malaysia published by British Publishing House Ltd., working on composite materials from the forest and industry products. He can be reached at [email protected]
Mr. Ahmad Faisal Bin Mahdi is a Senior Lecturer from Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi Mara Sarawak Campus. He can be reached at [email protected]
