Light industries in Malaysia are usually manufacturers whose products are usually produced by the company themselves, but the usage of the products is usually by someone else which mostly are the consumers. Light industries are usually not very capital intensive.
A buffer zone, which is the area or distance between industries and residential areas, is introduced to distance the residential area from the area of activity to reduce the exposure to pollution.
Figure 1: Buffer Zone between Industrial Area and Residential Area
The buffer zones vary based on the specific activity carried out in the industry itself. Below are some examples for a few general activities which can be categorized under Light Industry. There will be overlapping of activities of light, medium and heavy industries but the categorisations are mainly based on the scale of the activity itself.
| No | Description |
| 1. | Manufacture of Food Products Processing and preserving of fruits and vegetables Manufacture of vegetables, margarine, dairy products, grain mill products, etc. |
| 2. | Manufacture of Beverages Manufacture wines, soft drinks, and mineral water |
| 3. | Manufacture of Tobacco Products Manufacture of tobacco products and tobacco substitutes |
| 4. | Manufacture of Textiles Spinning, preparing textiles and reeling and washing of silk. Manufacture textile floor coverings, narrow woven fabrics |
| 5. | Manufacture of Wearing Apparel Manufacture of wearing apparel, articles of fur, knitted and crocheted apparel |
| 6. | Manufacture of Leather and Related Products Manufacture luggage, handbags and footwear |
| 7. | Manufacture of Wood and of Products of Wood and Cork, except Furniture; Manufacture of Articles of Straw and Plaiting Materials Manufacture of other wood products, articles of cork, straw and plaiting materials |
| 8. | Manufacture of Paper and Paper Products Manufacture pulp, paper and paperboard including envelopes, wallpaper, etc. |
| 9. | Printing and Reproduction of Recorded Media Printing and services related to printing and reproduction of recorded media |
| 10. | Manufacture of Chemicals and Chemical Products Manufacture basic chemicals, distilled water and other chemical products |
| 11. | Manufacture of Basic Pharmaceutical Products and Pharmaceutical Preparations Manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical and botanical products |
| 12. | Manufacture of Rubber and Plastic Products Manufacture or semi-manufacture of plastic products or finished plastic products. |
| 13. | Manufacture of Computer, Electronic and Optical Products Manufacture electric components, communication equipment and consumer electronics for home entertainment. |
| 14. | Manufacture of Electrical Equipment Manufacture of electric motors, batteries, and accumulators Manufacture of fiber optic cables and other electronics and wires and cables. |
| 15. | Manufacture of Machinery and Equipment n.e.c Manufacture of machinery and power-driven hand tools |
| 16. | Manufacture of Other Transport Equipment Manufacture of transport equipment |
| 17. | Other Manufacturing Manufacture or jewelry, , sports goods, games and toys, and dental instruments and supplies |
| 18. | Repair and Installation of Machinery Equipment Repair of electronic and optical equipment, electrical equipment and transport equipment, etc. |
| 19. |
Electricity, Gas,
Steam and Air Conditioning Supply
Electric power
generation transmission and distribution and steam and air
conditioning supply
|
| 20. | Water Collection, Treatment and Supply Water collection, treatment, and distribution activities for domestic and industrial demand, operation of irrigation canals |
| 21. | Sewerage Manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical, and botanical products |
A primary buffer zone is an area or distance which is located outside the designated area for the project or proposed activity. Comparatively, the light industry needs a shorter primary buffer zone compared to medium and heavy industries. The table shown below shows the criteria for an industry to be considered as light industry and the minimum buffer zone for it:
| Category | Industry/Activity Description | Primary buffer zone requirement |
| Light |
None
or very low pollution potential for air pollution, noise,
vibration, odour, fire or explosion
Does
not involve the use of hazardous raw materials or production of
hazardous products
Use
of renewal or low greenhouse gas emission sources of energy
Generate
no or very low amounts of wastewater with potential to contribute
to water pollution
Generate
non-hazardous solid waste and no significant amount of scheduled
wastes
|
Greater
or equal to 50 m.
Buffer
distance for specific processes or polluting sources which are
difficult to control effectively may require greater buffer
distances.
Actual
buffer is to be determined by modeling studies where necessary.
|
If it is unsure whether the activity planned falls under Light, Medium or Heavy industry, the Department of Environment (DOE) should be consulted for further information. A professional engineer could also be consulted so that a proper buffer zone can be assigned to avoid future complications.
Disclaimer: The information above is only extra references to “Guidelines for Siting and Zoning of Industrial and Residential Areas” as published by Department of Environment (DOE). We do not take any responsibility and not liable for any misunderstandings, loss and damages caused by information above. Kindly consult Department of Environment (DOE) for more detailed information.
Ir. Dr. Justin LAI Woon Fatt
CEO/ Founder
IPM Group
Reference:
1. Department of Environment. (2019). GUIDELINES FOR SITING AND ZONING OF INDUSTRY AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS (2nd ed., p. 134). Retrieved from http://www.doe.gov.my/eia/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Guidelines-For-Siting-and-Zoning-of-Industry-and-Residental-Areas-2012.pdf
