Zero-waste awareness among Malaysian Public University students

This study aims to investigate zero-waste awareness among Malaysian public university students, focusing on the implementation of zero-waste management practices, student awareness levels, and strategies to enhance engagement with sustainable waste practices. With Malaysia facing a critical waste management crisis and rising landfill saturation, public universities are identified as key contributors to municipal solid waste generation. Despite existing zero-waste initiatives and awareness campaigns, a significant gap persists between students' knowledge and their actual behavior towards waste reduction and recycling. The research employs a mixed- method approach, incorporating semi-structured interviews with university management and online questionnaire surveys targeting students from three selected public universities. Data collection will assess current implementation levels, measure students' awareness and attitudes toward zero-waste practices, and identify actionable measures to bridge the gap between awareness and behavior. Anticipated results are expected to reveal varying degrees of zero-waste implementation across institutions and highlight key factors influencing student participation in sustainable waste management. The study aims to propose evidence-based recommendations for enhancing zero-waste awareness and adoption, contributing to broader sustainability goals within higher education institutions in Malaysia.