Malaysia is facing a growing landfill leachate problem, largely due to inadequate waste management infrastructure combined with the country’s high humidity and frequent rainfall. Leachate, if not properly treated, can seep into and contaminate groundwater and surface water, posing serious environmental and public health risks. Current biological treatment methods are not only costly and time-consuming but also contribute to a high carbon footprint, making them less sustainable in the long term. At the same time, Malaysia lacks a domestic bioethanol industry, primarily because there is no readily available local feedstock. As a result, efforts to adopt renewable energy solutions that depend on imported feedstock are not feasible or cost-effective. With treatment costs averaging around RM55 per cubic metre of raw leachate, there is a pressing need for a more affordable, efficient, and environmentally friendly solution that can also support the development of renewable energy within the country.

The solution is an algae-based system that treats landfill leachate and at the same time produces bioethanol. It uses Scenedesmus sp. algae in a photobioreactor to clean the leachate, and the algae biomass is then fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae to make bioethanol. The system includes simple equipment like mixing tanks, membranes, and carbon filters. This method is faster, cheaper, and more eco-friendly than traditional treatments. It takes up little space, uses less energy, and doesn’t rely on expensive imported materials. It also supports green goals by turning harmful waste into clean water and renewable energy, helping to reduce treatment costs while creating a valuable product.

The innovation lies in the dual-purpose use of algae-based technology to both treat landfill leachate and produce bioethanol. Unlike traditional methods, this system uses Scenedesmus sp. algae to clean leachate efficiently and sustainably, while the resulting biomass is converted into bioethanol through microbial fermentation. This integrated process has a small footprint, requires minimal energy, and offers a low-cost, green alternative to conventional treatment systems.