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Review | Sustainable Environmental Insight | Volume 2 - Issue 1 - 2025 | 24-39 | https://doi.org/10.53623/sein.v2i1.659
© 2025 by the author(s), and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License

Microplastic Pollution in Malaysia's Coastal Areas: Impacts, Challenges, and Sustainable Solutions

Author(s): Jun Fui Woo 1 , Syahrun Neizam Mohd Dzulkifli 2 ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6492-9925 , Umi Kalthsom Parjo 3 , Dzunnur Zaily Mohd Dzulkifli 4 , Muhammad Noor Hazwan Jusoh 1 ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5868-6779
Author(s) information:
1 Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University Malaysia.
2 Department of Chemical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Univerisiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Pagoh Higher Education Hub, 84600 Pagoh, Johor, Malaysia.
3 SMK Tengku Mahkota, Jalan Temenggong Ahmad, Kampung Parit Besar, 84000 Muar, Johor, Malaysia.
4 School of Global Foundation Studies, Educity International College, 79200 Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia.

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Sustainable Environmental Insight

Volume 2 - Issue 1 - 2025

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Microplastic contamination became a serious environmental problem in Malaysia’s coastal areas, endangering marine life and human health. This review provided an overview of the status of microplastic pollution, focusing on its sources, spatial distribution, and ecological effects in Malaysian marine habitats from a holistic perspective. The article summarized key findings from recent research, which showed high levels of microplastics in coastal sediments and fauna, with fibers identified as the predominant type of contaminant. The paper compared several remediation methods, including biodegradation by indigenous bacterial strains and advanced electrocoagulation, which achieved a removal efficiency of 96.5%. However, significant challenges remained, such as limited waste management infrastructure, a lack of public education, and technological constraints in scaling up effective solutions. Three key recommendations were made: (1) enactment of strict national waste management regulations and infrastructure, with strong emphasis on recycling facilities and collection systems; (2) funding for localized research and development in cost-effective remediation technologies; and (3) national campaigns to promote reductions in plastic use. The study emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive strategy that integrated scientific innovation, policy reform, and community participation to address this growing environmental crisis. The findings of this review offered valuable information for policymakers and environmental practitioners in efforts to conserve marine biodiversity in Malaysia and served as a potential guide for developing countries facing similar challenges.

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SUBMITTED: 15 April 2025
ACCEPTED: 13 May 2025
PUBLISHED: 9 June 2025
SUBMITTED to ACCEPTED: 28 days
DOI: https://doi.org/10.53623/sein.v2i1.659

Cite this article
Woo, J. F., Mohd Dzulkifli, S. N. ., Parjo, U. K. ., Mohd Dzulkifli, D. Z. ., & Jusoh, M. N. H. . (2025). Microplastic Pollution in Malaysia’s Coastal Areas: Impacts, Challenges, and Sustainable Solutions. Sustainable Environmental Insight, 2(1), 24–39. https://doi.org/10.53623/sein.v2i1.659
Keywords
Microplastics Marine pollution Coastal ecosystems Environmental health Waste management Southeast Asia
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