Household composting is an essential yet underutilised strategy for advancing Malaysia’s Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3R) culture and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 12 on responsible consumption and production. Despite policy frameworks such as the National Strategic Plan for Solid Waste Management, participation in composting remains uneven across Malaysian households. This study synthesises findings from peer-reviewed studies published between 2019 and 2025 to identify the primary social success factors influencing household composting awareness and adoption. Using a qualitative systematic literature synthesis approach, studies were selected based on their empirical focus, relevance to Malaysian households, and examination of behavioural determinants. Thematic analysis revealed four interrelated factors that drive adoption: education and knowledge, community engagement and social norms, policy and institutional support, and socioeconomic and demographic influences. These factors interact in a reinforcing cycle, where knowledge builds competence, community norms encourage participation, policy provides enabling structures, and demographic tailoring ensures inclusivity. The findings underscore that composting in Malaysia is not solely a technical process but a socially embedded practice that thrives when aligned with local cultural norms, community structures, and supportive policy environments. Recommendations include integrating composting education into school curricula, establishing community composting hubs, expanding policy enforcement and infrastructural support, and tailoring interventions to specific demographic segments. The study concludes that coordinated, multi-level strategies, combining education, social mobilisation, and institutional frameworks, are essential for embedding composting within Malaysia’s 3R culture and achieving long-term environmental sustainability.
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