Background

The research group has expertise with a proven record of both research and industry consultancies in several key environmental, agro-industrial and remediation areas, including:

• Organic and hazardous wastes degradation in the presence of catalyst

• Biological and eco-friendly remediation / rehabilitation of landfills

• Biological treatment of landfill leachate

• Development of microbiological alternatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in landfills

• Utilisation of landfill leachate in agro-irrigation

• Value addition and nutrient recycling of agro-industrial market, organic and municipal solid waste

• Composting kinetics of market, organic and municipal solid waste

• Biodegradation of agricultural waste or market waste

• Impact of pollution on landfill microbes

The research group aims to conduct novel applied research in agriculture and environment management.

Research         

• Agro-Industrial Waste Utilization

•    Landfill Gas Assessment

•    Landfill Remediation

•    Waste Remediation

•    Wastewater Management And Treatment

•    Solid/Hazardous Waste Management And Treatment

•    Waste Management Drivers, Trends and Legislation

•    Sustainable Environmental Management

•    Plastic Biodegradation

•    Leachate Studies

•   Life Cycle Analysis

•   Cleaner Production

• Biological components in the closure and post-closure remediation of municipal landfills

• Biological reduction of greenhouse gases from landfills

• Utilization of treated landfill leachate as an irrigation source for agriculture

• Polluted river and lake water treatment and remediation

• The feasibility of utilizing agro-industrial wastes in the production of various chemical substances

• Treatment of wastewater using novel substances

• The closure and post-closure remediation of municipal landfills

• The conversion of market-waste into commercializable compost products

• The feasibility of utilizing various food and beverage wastes in the production of various chemical substances

• The efficacy of new, novel solutions to treat polluted waters

•   Identifying drivers of Malaysian municipal, agricultural and industrial waste management and their trends.

Linkages

• Determination of environmental safety in the construction site in Subang Jaya, Selangor. Taylor’s College, 2008 – ongoing, (National).

• Identification of Technologies for the Sustainable Management and Disposal of Municipal Solid Wastes and Construction Wastes in Banda Acheh, Indonesia.  United Nations Environmental Programme, 2007 (International).

• Municipal Solid Waste Management. Ministry of Housing and Local Government, Malaysia, 2006 – Current.

• Agro and Industrial Waste Degradation and Utilization, 2000-2000, University of West Indies, Jamaica (International)

• Broga Incineration Plant Waste Characterization, 2005-2006, Satang Environment Sdn. Bhd. (National)

• Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment for and automobile battery recycling plant, 2003-2005, Sempurna (M) Sdn. Bhd. (National)

• Kelana Jaya Landfill Remediation, 2006-Current, Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya, Selangor. (National)

• Municipal Solid Waste Management in Selangor, 2001-Current, Alam Flora Sdn. Bhd. (National)

• PJS 3 Landfill Remediation, 2006-Current, Selangor State Government. (National)

• Sri Kembangan Wet Market Composting, 2006-Current, Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya, Selangor. (National)

• Sungai Kedah Flood Mitigation and Remediation, 2003-Current, Kedah State Government. (National)

Network (Industry / NGO / Private and/or Government Agencies / Local / International)

• Solid Waste Association in Asia and the Pacific Islands (International).

• Academic Capacity Building, Japan Solid Waste Management Experts - Malaysian Solid Waste Management Experts, 2006, (International)

• E-Lecture Programme Series, University Malaysia - Kyoto University (Kyoto, Japan), 2006, (International)

• E-Lecture Programme Series, University Malaysia - Tsinghua University (Peking, China), 2006, (International)

• Project-Oriented Problem Based Learning (POPBL) Implementation in Higher Education, Consortium of UM/UKM/Denmark Technological University/Delft University (Holland), 2006, (International)

• Research, University Malaysia - Denmark Technological University, 2006, (International)

• Research and Capacity Building, Malaysian University Consortium for Environmental and Development, 2002, (International)

• Research and Industrial, International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), 2002, (International)

• Research and Policy Consulting, Malaysian Solid Waste Association, 2006, (National)

• Student Exchange Programme, University Malaysia - Denmark Technological University, 2000, (International)

Publication

• Agamuthu, P. and Kahlil Khidzir (2008). Food Security, the Environment and a Brave New World. Malaysian Journal of Science, 27 (1): i-ii.

• Agamuthu, P. and Wong, L. P. (2008). Solidification/stabilization Treatment of Spent Catalyst (V₂O₅) from a Sulfuric Acid Plant Using OPC and additive. Malaysian Journal of Science, 27 (1): 7 – 18.

• Agamuthu, P. and Jens Aage Hansen. 2007. Universities in Capacity Building in Sustainable Development: Focus on Solid Waste Management and Technology. Waste Management & Research, 25: 241-246.

• Agamuthu, P. 2007. Sustainable fuel from biomass: clamour or glamour? Waste Management & Research, 25: 1-2.

• Agamuthu, P. and Kahlil Khidzir. 2007. Waste Management in the Wake of a Disaster – Are We Prepared? Malaysian Journal of Science, 26 (2): i-ii.

• Agamuthu, P. and Kahlil Khidzir. 2007. Feeling the Heat of Global Warming. Malaysian Journal of Science, 26 (1): i-ii

• Santha Chenayah, Agamuthu, P. and Eiji Takeda. 2007. Multicriteria Modeling on Recycling of Municipal Solid Waste in Subang Jaya. Malaysian Journal of Science, 26 (1): 1-16.

•  Fauziah S.H. and Agamuthu, P. 2007. SWPlan Software Application for Malaysian Municipal Solid Waste Management. Malaysian Journal of Science, 26 (1): 17-22.

•  Nor Asikir M and Agamuthu, P. 2007. Characterization and Chemical Treatment of Taman Beringin Landfill Leachate. Malaysian Journal of Science, 26 (1) : 35-42.

•  Agamuthu, P. 2007. Wet Market Waste to Value-Added Product. The Ingenieur 34: (June-August 2007), 38-41.

•  P. Agamuthu and Khidzir, K. M. (2008). Reviewing the Impact of Environmental Legislative Framework on Malaysia’s Industrial Waste Management. In: Proceedings of Waste Management Conference 2008. 4^th August 2008, Kuala Lumpur.

•  P. Agamuthu and Khidzir, K. M. (2008). Issues on Waste Management in Relation to Global Warming. In: Proceedings of the 4^th Expert Meeting on Solid Waste Management in Asia and the Pacific Islands. 15^th – 18^th July 2008, Japan. pp. S-1-3.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Waste Management Technologies in Malaysia: the Future Prospects (Invited Plenary Lecture). In: Proceedings of the 2^nd International Conference on Advancement in Science and Technology (iCAST) 2008. 13 -15^th June 2008, IIUM, Kuantan, Pahang. pp 1-3.

•  Fauziah, S. H. and Agamuthu, P. (2008). Household Hazardous Waste Components in Malaysian Municipal Solid Wastes: The Current Scenario. Accepted for presentation in the 1^st International Hazardous Wastes Conference, Chania-Crete, Greece. 1 – 3 October 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. Fauziah, S. H. Khidzir, K. M. and Noorazamimah Aiza, A. (2007). Sustainable Waste Management-Asian Perspectives. Proc. Of Int’l. Conf. on Sustainable Solid Waste Management. Chennai, India, 5-7, September 2007. pp 15-26.

•  Agamuthu, P. and Fauziah, S.H. (2007). Sustainable Management of Wet Market Waste. Proc. Of Int’l. Conf. on Sustainable Solid Waste Management. Chennai, India, 5-7, September 2007. pp. 239-243.

•  Khidzir, K. M., Agamuthu, P. and Noorlidah Abdullah. (2007). Utilizing solid waste from a brewery as a substrate in enzyme production. Proc. Of ISWA .NVRD World Congress and Exhibition, 2007. Amsterdam. Netherlands. 23-28 September 2007. 8 pages.

•  Fauziah, S. H., Noorazamimah Aiza, A. and Agamuthu, P. (2007). Closure and post-closure of landfills in Malaysia- case studies. Proc. Of ISWA .NVRD World Congress and Exhibition, 2007. Amsterdam. Netherlands. 23-28 September 2007. 9 pages.

•  Agamuthu, P. and Fauziah, S.H. (2007). Recent Issues in Solid Waste Management in Malaysia: The Solid Waste Bill.2007. Proc. of the 3^rd Expert meeting on Solid Waste Management in Asia and Pacific Islands-Networking of Experts for Environmentally-sound Solid Waste Management and the 3Rs. Okayama, Japan, 7-9 November,2007. pp S1-3-1 to S1-3-6.

•  Agamuthu, P., Mohd Jamil M., Fauziah, S.H. and Noorazamimah Aiza A. (2007). Health and Environmental Impacts of Reclamation of Ex-mining land- A Malaysian case Study. 2007 Int’l. Symposium on Environmental Science and Technology (2007ISEST), Beijing, China. 13-16 November, 2007. Pp42-51.

•  Agamuthu, P. and Fauziah S.H (2007) Material Recovery from Malaysian MSW: A practical approach. Proceedings of Waste to Wealth International Conference & Exhibition 2007. Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur. 26- 30 November 2007. pg 1-10.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Industrial Waste Minimization and Productivity. Paper presented at the Two-Day Training Program on Industrial Waste Minimization towards Productivity. Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 23 – 24 June 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Introduction to Pollution Prevention. Paper presented at the Two-Day Training Program on Industrial Waste Minimization towards Productivity. Subang Jaya, Selangor, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 23 – 24 June 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Waste Reduction Techniques. Paper presented at the Two-Day Training Program on Industrial Waste Minimization towards Productivity. Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 23 – 24 June 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Waste Audit. Paper presented at the Two-Day Training Program on Industrial Waste Minimization towards Productivity. Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 23 – 24 June 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Life Cycle Assessment. Paper presented at the Two-Day Training Program on Industrial Waste Minimization towards Productivity. Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 23 – 24 June 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Waste Minimization Techniques. Paper presented at the Two-Day Training Program on Industrial Waste Minimization towards Productivity. Subang Jaya, Selangor, 28 – 29 March 2006.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Waste Volume Reduction. Paper presented at the Two-Day Training Program on Industrial Waste Minimization towards Productivity. Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 23 – 24 June 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Toxicity Reduction. Paper presented at the Two-Day Training Program on Industrial Waste Minimization towards Productivity. Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 23 – 24 June 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Developing and Maintaining a Pollution Prevention Program. Paper presented at the Two-Day Training Program on Industrial Waste Minimization towards Productivity. Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 23 – 24 June 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Cleaner Production. Paper presented at the Two-Day Training Program on Industrial Waste Minimization towards Productivity. Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 23 – 24 June 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Evaluation of a Pollution Prevention Program. Paper presented at the Two-Day Training Program on Industrial Waste Minimization towards Productivity. Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 23 – 24 June 2008.

• Agamuthu, P. (2008). Introduction to Landfill Leachate. Presented at the Two Day Intensive Training Workshop on Landfill Leachate. Seminar Training Center, Shah Alam, Selangor. 14 – 15 May 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Leahate Quality and Composition. Presented at the Two Day Intensive Training Workshop on Landfill Leachate. Seminar Training Center, Shah Alam, Selangor. 14 – 15 May 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Leachate Quantity and Water Balance. Presented at the Two Day Intensive Training Workshop on Landfill Leachate. Seminar Training Center, Shah Alam, Selangor. 14 – 15 May 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Leachate treatment. Presented at the Two Day Intensive Training Workshop on Landfill Leachate. Seminar Training Center, Shah Alam, Selangor. 14 – 15 May 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Landfill Leachate for Agro Irrigation. Presented at the Two Day Intensive Training Workshop on Landfill Leachate. Seminar Training Center, Shah Alam, Selangor. 14 – 15 May 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Case Studies: Leachate and Remediation. Presented at the Two Day Intensive Training Workshop on Landfill Leachate. Seminar Training Center, Shah Alam, Selangor. 14 – 15 May 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Workshop on National Capacity Development Action Plan For The Implementation of  UN Convention of Biological Diversity, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Malaysia. UNDP-GEF and National Capacity Needs Self-Assessment for Global Environmental Management (NCSA). Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Putrajaya, 14 - 15 April, 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Introduction to Municipal Solid Waste Management - What, How and Who. Presented in the 2-Day Intensive Training Workshop on Municipal Solid Waste for Comfori Sdn Bhd. Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. 2 - 3 April, 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Landfill Gas Quality and Quantity Determination. Presented in the 2-Day Intensive Training Workshop on Municipal Solid Waste for Comfori Sdn Bhd. Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. 2 - 3 April, 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Landfill Leachate - Management, Design and Treatment. Presented in the 2-Day Intensive Training Workshop on Municipal Solid Waste for Comfori Sdn Bhd. Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. 2 - 3 April, 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Post Closure of Landfills and Malaysian Case Studies. Presented in the 2-Day Intensive Training Workshop on Municipal Solid Waste for Comfori Sdn Bhd. Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. 2 - 3 April, 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Composting Case Study: Sustainable Management of Wet Market Waste. Presented in the 2-Day Intensive Training Workshop on Municipal Solid Waste for Comfori Sdn Bhd. Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. 2 - 3 April, 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. and Fauziah S. H. (2008). Solid Waste Management in Malaysia: The Solid Waste Bill, 2007. Presented in the 2-Day Intensive Training Workshop on Municipal Solid Waste for Comfori Sdn Bhd. Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. 2 - 3 April, 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. and Ahmed, N. (2008). Assessment of the Environmental Performance of a Recycling Company (Tex Cycle Sdn. Bhd.) using Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). Presented in the 2-Day Intensive Training Workshop on Municipal Solid Waste for Comfori Sdn Bhd. Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. 2 - 3 April, 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. (2008). Material and Energy Recovery from Malaysian MSW. Presented in the 2-Day Intensive Training Workshop on Municipal Solid Waste for Comfori Sdn Bhd. Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. 2 - 3 April, 2008.

•  Agamuthu, P. and Nis Hansini C. (2007).  Impacts of Solid Waste to Riverine Aquatic Life-Malaysian Case Studies. 1^st Int’l. Symposium on Management of Aquatic and Marine Environment. Padang, Indonesia, 22 - 23 January, 2007.

•  Agamuthu, P., Fauziah S.H., Khidzir, K.M. and Noorazamimah Aiza, A. (2007)     Waste Management-Practical Solutions. Waste Management Conference and Exhibition, 2007. Sunway, Selangor, 7 - 8^th August 2007.

•  Shaaban, M.G., Sulaiman, M. N., Agamuthu, P., Sulaiman, A. H. and Yoo, S. N. (2007). Status of e-Learning and Future Plan of University of Malaya. 2^nd Special Symposium on International Collaboration for Global Environmental Science Study-Establishment and Practice of Simultaneous Collaborative Education in Asian universities by the Hybrid Distance Learning System. Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. 8 - 11 March, 2007.

Accreditation

• Spent Grain as Substrate for Enzyme Production via Solid-State Fermentation (MOSTI 02-01-03-SF0363, 2007 - 2009)

• Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Landfills With Engineered Bio-Covers (UM SF097-2007A, 2007 - 2008)

• Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Landfills with Biologically Engineered Biocovers (MOSTI 02-01-03-SF0440, 2008 - 2010).

• All graduate students are funded by the University of Malaya postgraduate research grants

• Gold Medal - Research, Design and Innovation Expo (University of Malaya), 2007, (National).

• Certificate of Appreciation, Research, Design and Innovation Expo (University of Malaya), 2005, (National)

• Gold Medal, Invention Exhibition of New Invention, Techniques and Products (Geneva, Switzerland), 2005, (International)

• Solid Waste: Principles and Management, with Malaysian Case Studies, Copyright, ISBN 983-2085-26-8), 2001, (International)

• Utilization and Management of Agricultural and Agro-industrial Waste (3rd Edition), Copyright, ISBN 983-2085-29-2, 2004, (International)

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