Agamuthu Pariatamby

Agamutu Pariatamby

Agamuthu Pariatamby

  • Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development
SDGs Focus
Responsible Consumption and Production

Biography

Professor Dato’ Dr Agamutu is a distinguished environmental scientist, academic leader, and globally recognised authority in environmental sciences, sustainable development, and waste management, with over five decades of professional experience in the field of waste management and environmental sustainability. He currently serves as Senior Professor at the Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development, Sunway University, where he plays a pivotal role in advancing interdisciplinary research, policy engagement, and capacity-building initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He is internationally acknowledged as a World Top 2% Scientist in Environmental Sciences, as ranked by Stanford University, reflecting the global impact, quality, and influence of his scholarly contributions. Professor Agamutu is also a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (FASc) – one of the highest academic honors in the country – recognising his sustained excellence in scientific research, leadership, and national service.

Beyond Malaysia, Professor Agamutu maintains strong global academic and policy engagements. He serves as a high-level foreign expert with the Ministry of Science and Technology, China, contributing his expertise to strategic scientific collaboration, innovation policy, and technology transfer initiatives. He is also appointed as a visiting professor at Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China, where he supports advanced research, postgraduate supervision, and international research networks in waste-to-energy, circular economy, and environmental sustainability. Professor Agamutu holds several influential leadership roles within international professional bodies. He is an Honorary Member of the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), a distinction reserved for individuals who have made outstanding global contributions to solid waste management. He also serves as Chairman of the International Committee on Waste-to-Energy at Zhejiang University, providing strategic direction on research, innovation, and international collaboration in energy recovery and resource valorization from waste streams. A highly cited scholar, Professor Agamutu has an h-index of 54 with over 11,280 citations (as of December 2025), underscoring the depth, consistency, and international relevance of his research outputs. His work spans waste management systems, waste-to-energy technologies, circular economy, environmental policy, life-cycle assessment, and sustainable urban development. Over his 50-year career, he has contributed extensively to shaping both academic discourse and practical policy frameworks at national, regional, and global levels.

In addition to his research achievements, Professor Agamutu has made significant contributions to scholarly publishing and academic governance. He previously served as Senior Editor-in-Chief of Waste Management & Research, a leading international journal in the field, where he guided editorial strategy, upheld scientific rigour, and supported the dissemination of high-quality, policy-relevant research worldwide. In 2025, Professor Agamutu achieved GSP (Global Scholarly Prestige) qualification, placing him within the top 0.05% of scholars globally in his field based on scholarly output, impact, and international standing – further affirming his position among the world’s most influential environmental scientists. Through his academic leadership, international engagement, and five decades of hands-on and strategic experience in waste management, Professor Dato’ Dr Agamutu Pariatamby continues to shape the global agenda on environmental protection, circular economy, and sustainable development, while mentoring the next generation of scientists, policymakers, and practitioners across Asia and beyond.

Academic & Professional Qualifications

  • PhD, University of Malaya (UM)
  • MSc, University of Malaya (UM)
  • BSC(Hons), University of Malaya (UM)

Research Interests

  • Solid Waste Management
  • Plastic Biodegradation
  • Sustainable Environmental Management
  • Life Cycle Analysis
  • Hazardous Wastes
  • Solid Substrate Technology
  • Greenhouse Gas Reduction
  • MFA and POPs
  • Circular Economy
  • Extended Producer Responsibility

Notable Publications

Books:

  1. Ghosh S K. and Agamuthu P. (Eds). 2022. Healthcare waste management and Covid 19 Pandemic. Policy, Implementation status and vaccine management. Springer. ISBN 10-981-16-93358. Pp326.
  2. Sadhan Kumar Ghosh, Ramakrishna Sen, H N Chanakya and Agamuthu P. (2020). Bioresource Utilization and Bioprocess. Springer Nature Singapore. ISBN 978 981 15 1606 1. Pp283.
  3. Agamuthu P, Fauziah Shahul Hamid and Mehran Sanam Bhatti (2020). Sustainable Waste Management Challenges in Developing Countries. (pp.586). Hershey, PA: IGI Global.
  4. Fauziah Shahul Hamid, Siti Suhaila Harith, Japareng Lalung, Auwalu Hassan and Agamuthu P. (2019). Technical Report: Abundance and Distribution of Marine Debris on Selected Beaches of Marine Park Islands. Department of Fisheries Malaysia. Pp 48. ISBN 978-967-0633-53-4.
  5. Agamuthu P (Ed). (2018). Proceedings of the ISWA World Congress 2018, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Pp592. ISBN 978-967-16527
  6. Prasad Modak, Jeffrey Seadon and Agamuthu P. (2017). Asia Waste Management Outlook (AWMO). United Nations Environment. Pp 234.

Book chapter:

  1. Agamuthu, P., S.C. Aboudi Mana, and N. Arumugam. (2025) Recovery Potential of Municipal Solid Waste for Hydrogen Generation.in: Abdelkader Anouzla and Salah Souabi (Eds): Generation of Energy from Municipal Solid Waste. Chapter 10.pp. 215-235. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-74334-4, Springer Nature. eBook ISBN 978-031-74334-4. Print ISBN 978-031-74333-7.
  2. Vivek S., Chika Aoki and Agamutu P. Circular Economy. (2024) In Sixth ASEAN State of the Environment Report. Chapter 10. Pp 207-229. ISSN 3046-8701
  3. Premakumara J D G., Rajeev K S, Amila A. Miho Hayashi, Miwa Tatsuno and Agamutu P. (2024) Chemicals and Waste. In Sixth ASEAN State of the Environment Report. Chapter 7. Pp. 133-160 ISSN 3046-8701.
  4. Agamuthu P. and Baraserathi J. (2023). Issues and Challenges of Municipal Solid waste Management in Malaysia: Current trends and Way Forward. In: Norhazni M. S. Et al. (Ed). . Together, Protecting the Environment. Synergizing Stewardship and Commitments. Department of Environment ISBN 978-967-2845-16-4.
  5. Auwalu H., Fauziah S H. and Agamuthu P. (2022) Microbial enzymes: Role in Soil Fertility. In: Madella N. R., Abiodun A S. and Prasad R. (eds). Ecological Interplays in Microbial Enzymology. Environmental and Microbial Biotechnology. Springer Singapore. https://doi. org. /10. 1007/978-981-19-0155-3 9.
  6. Hassan, A. Fauziah, S.H., Helen, S.A., Agamuthu, P., Innocent, C.O., Jayanthi, B., Aziz, A. (2022). Microbial Enzymes: Role in Soil Fertility. In: Maddela, N.R., Abiodun, A.S., Prasad, R. (eds). Ecological Interplays in Microbial Enzymology. Environmental and Microbial Biotechnology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0155-3_9.
  7. Kavitha A. and Agamuthu P. (2022). Vaccinations for the Covid 19 pandemic. In. Ghosh S K. and Agamuthu P. (Eds). Healthcare Waste Management and Covid 19 Pandemic. Springer.
  8. Amani Maalouf, Hani Maalouf and Agamuthu P. (2022). Medical Waste Management in Lebanon and impact of Covid 19. In Ghosh S K. and Agamuthu P. (Eds). Healthcare Waste Management and Covid 19 Pandemic. Springer.
  9. Agamuthu P. Mehran S B. and Jayanthy B. (2022). Clinical waste management in Malaysia and covid-19 waste management case study. In Ghosh S K. and Agamuthu P. (Eds). Healthcare Waste Management and Covid 19 Pandemic. Springer.

Proceeding papers:

  1. Idris and Agamutu P. Drivers of Waste Generation in the Supply Chain of Malaysia’s Food Production Industry: Motivations & ChallengesIn. Proc of Intl. Conf. on Solid Waste 2025. Waste Management for Carbon Neutrality and Circular Economy. 9-12th June 2025, Dongguan, China. Pp194.
  2. Bristi K. and Agamutu P. Mechanisms of Nitrogen Dynamics: Nitrification and Denitrification in Food Waste-Derived Amendments Versus Conventional Fertilizers for Butternut Squash . In. Proc of Intl. Conf. on Solid Waste 2025. Waste Management for Carbon Neutrality and Circular Economy. 9-12th June 2025, Dongguan, China. Pp 195.
  3. Agamutu P. Bio Circular Economy in Sustainable Biomass Management. In. Proc of Intl. Conf. on Solid Waste 2025. Waste Management for Carbon Neutrality and Circular Economy. 9-12th June 2025, Dongguan, China. Pp 92.
  4. Ng Chee Perng, Tang Tiong Yew and Agamutu P. Optimizing food value chain for reduced food loss and waste management: An AI and NLP-Integrated Life Cycle Assessment approach. In 5th International Young Scientists Symposium on Waste Management and Disposal Technology. 21-25th July, 2024. Pp 112-116.
  5. Bristi Khatun, Agamutu P., and Kavita R. Impact of Social and behavioral factors on food waste utilization for enhanced soil fertility and crop productivity in Asian agriculture. In 5th International Young Scientists Symposium on Waste Management and Disposal Technology. 21-25th July, 2024.Pp 108-111.
  6. Zang Suying, Agamutu P. and Goh Yisheng. Turning municipal solid waste into artwork: A participatory experiment with community residents in different countries (Malaysia, China and Unite States). In 5th International Young Scientists Symposium on Waste Management and Disposal Technology. 21-25th July, 2024. Pp 103-107.
  7. Agamuthu P. Waste Management-Asian Perspective: Challenges and the way forward. In. Proc. Of Recycle 2023. 4th International Conference on Waste Management, 18-19 May 2023.Guwahati, Assam, India. Pp 17-18.
  8. Mi Yan, Yayong Yang, Tianchi Shen, Nurak Grisdanurak, Agamuthu Pariatamby, Mohammad Khalid, Dwi Hantoko, Haryo Wibowo. Effect of operating parameters on the production of different monomers from PET waste depolymerization in supercritical ethanol. In Proc. of the 3rd Intl. Symposium on waste Management and Disposal. Zhejiang university of Technology, Hangzhou. 19-20th Aug 2022. Pp 109-115.
  9. Noor Maiza M R. Fauziah S H. and Agamuthu P. The assessment of physicochemical characteristics of PCB contaminated soil and uncontaminated soil. In Proc. of the 3rd Intl. Symposium on waste Management and Disposal. Zhejiang university of Technology, Hangzhou. 19-20th Aug 2022. Pp 154-157.
  10. Kimberly Ng Hui Ling. Fauziah S H. and Agamuthu P. Genetic identification of dominant bacteria present in PCB contaminated soil and uncontaminated soil. In Proc. of the 3rd Intl. Symposium on waste Management and Disposal. Zhejiang university of Technology, Hangzhou. 19-20th Aug 2022. Pp 147-149.
  11. Tan Bee Huai and Agamuthu P. The implication of festival: Food Waste generation in Malaysia. In Proc. of the 3rd Intl. Symposium on waste Management and Disposal. Zhejiang university of Technology, Hangzhou. 19-20th Aug 2022.Pp 127-131.
  12. Agamuthu P., Fauziah Shahul Hamid and Priya Mohan. A holistic view of commercial plastics culmination in disastrous microplastics pollution in the ecosystem. Intl. Webinar on Microplastics in environment. Bangkok. 3 Aug 2022.
  13. Agamuthu P. Angjian Wu and Yimeng Zhou. MSW management and WtE in Malaysia. In Report of Waste to Energy in selected Regions of the World. Zhejiang University, China. 12-26th October, 2021. Pp 48-76.
  14. Michel Devadoss, P.S., Agamuthu, P., Chenayah, S., and Fauziah, S.H. Municipal Solid Waste as The Solution of Energy and Environmental Crises in Pakistan. Proc. of the Intl. Symp. of young scientist on Waste Management and disposal technology. Thammasat university, Bangkok, Thailand. 15th May 2021. 4pp.
  15. Auwalu H., Agamuthu P., Fauziah SH. Role of endophytic fungi in alleviation of metal toxicity and enhancement of cleanup of metal contaminated soil by Jatropha sp. Proc. Of the Intl. Symp. of young scientist on Waste Management and disposal technology. Thammasat university, Bangkok, Thailand. 15th May 2021. Pp19-22.

Articles in academic indexed journals:

  1. Binaya Sapkota; Agamutu Pariatamby; Md. Abu Zaed; Saidur Rahman. 2026. Investigation of metals in the autoclaved condensate of packaging materials of pharmaceutical wastes: health and environmental risks. Journal of Environmental Management (Q1, IF 8.4)
  2. Binaya Sapkota , Agamutu Pariatamby , Hong Gee Lee. 2026. Pharmacists’ awareness, readiness and practice on safe and sustainable pharmaceutical waste management: Cross-sectional survey in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Malaysia. Global Health Journal. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glohj.2026.02.005 (Q1 IF 6.1)
  3. Auwalu Hassana,b, Azman Azid*a, Fauziah Shahul Hamidc, Agamuthu Pariatambyd, Saiful Iskandar Khalita, Innocent Chukwunonso Ossaic, Jayanthi Barasarathie, Suzanne Christine Aboudi-Manac, Mohd Zuhairi Zakariaf. 2026. MULTIPLE METAL BIOSORPTION BY A FILAMENTOUS FUNGUS (DALDINIA STARBAECKII) ISOLATED FROM LANDFILL LEACHATE CONTAMINATED SOIL Jurnal Teknologi (Sciences & Engineering) 88:2 (2026) 107−122 (Q3).
  4. Binaya S. and Agamutu P. 2026. The models for the sustainability and eco-friendliness of pharmaceutical waste management technologies.  Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy Q1, (If 5.8).
  5. Binaya S. Hong Gee Lee and Agamutu P. 2026. People’s awareness, readiness and practice on safe and sustainable pharmaceutical waste management in Selangor, Malaysia. Waste Management & Research. 1-13. DOI. Http://Doi.Org.10.1177/0734242X251413428. Q1. (IF 4.3)
  6. Sapkota B., Agamutu P., Zaed M A and Saidur, R. 2026. The Environmental sustainability of pharmaceutical waste inertization: Insights from toxicity characteristic leaching procedure using ICP-OES analysis. Journal of Hazardous Material, 501(2026)140723. Q1. (IF 11.3)
  7. A Hassan, A Aziz, FS Hamid, A Pariatamby, IC Ossai, SC Aboudi-Mana. 2025. field application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Alocasia calidora (Schott) G. Don for effective remediation of heavy metal/metalloid-polluted landfill soil. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 32 (18), 11443-11465 Q1 IF5.8
  8. Ng Chee Perng, Tang Tiong Yew and Agamutu P., How Urgent Environmental Challenges and Tech Advancements Reshape Commercial Food Systems: A Bibliometric Analysis leveraging Natural-Language Processing. International Journal of Engineering Business Management. Q1. 17:1-23. DOI.10.1177/18479790251394768.
  9. Sapkota B, Pariatamby A. Pharmaceutical residues and chemicals in landfill leachate from a sanitary landfill in Malaysia: non-target analysis and records of health and environmental hazards. Environ Sci Pollut Res 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-025-36496-z. (Q1)
  10. Hassan A., Aziz A. Hamid, F.S. Agamutu Pariatamby and Ossai I C. 2025. Inoculation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi improved phytoremediation ability of Jatropha multifida L.in metal/metalloid contaminated landfill soil. International. Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. https:// org/10.1007/s13762-025-06423-3. (Q2).
  11. Binaya S. and Agamutu P. 2025. Comprehensive screening and analysis of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutically active chemicals in wastewater: health and environmental hazards and removal efficiency of wastewater treatment plant in Malaysia. Environmental Science and Pollution Research (ESPR). http://doi.org. 10.1007/s11356-35817y. (Q1 IF5.8).
  12. Binaya S and Agamutu P. 2025. Pharmaceutical waste management legislations: Where do ASEAN countries stand in harmonization? A review of regulatory documents. Waste Management Vol 195: 107-128. http://doi.org.10.1016/j. wasman.2025.01.039 (Q1).IF 7.1
  13. Sapkota B, Pariatamby A. Pharmaceutical residues and chemicals in landfill leachate from a sanitary landfill in Malaysia: non-target analysis and records of health and environmental hazards. Environ Sci Pollut Res 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-025-36496-z. (Q1)
  14. Hassan A., Azid A. Hamid, F.S. Agamutu Pariatamby and Ossai I C. 2025. Inoculation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi improved phytoremediation ability of Jatropha multifida L.in metal/metalloid contaminated landfill soil. International. Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. https:// org/10.1007/s13762-025-06423-3. (Q2).
  15. Binaya S. and Agamutu P. 2025. People’s awareness, readiness and practice on safe and sustainable pharmaceutical waste management in Selangor, Malaysia. Waste Management & Research. (Q1). Accepted.
  16. Binaya S. and Agamutu P. 2025. Comprehensive screening and analysis of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutically active chemicals in wastewater: health and environmental hazards and removal efficiency of wastewater treatment plant in Malaysia. Environmental Science and Pollution Research (ESPR). http://doi.org. 10.1007/s11356-35817y. (Q1 IF5.8).
  17. Binaya S. and Agamutu P. 2025. Comprehensive screening and analysis of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutically active chemicals in wastewater: health and environmental hazards and removal efficiency of wastewater treatment plant in Malaysia. Environmental Science and Pollution Research (ESPR). http://doi.org. 10.1007/s11356-35817y. (Q1 IF5.8).
  18. Agamutu P. and Saraswathy N. 2024. Quantification of Microplastic in locally brewed beers in Malaysia. Waste Management & Xenobiotics.7(2): 00019.DOI: 10.23880/oajwx-16000195. (ISSN:2640-2718)
  19. Agamutu P. and Ghosh S. K. 2024. Plastics and microplastics are evolving to be the current pandemic global pollutant. J. of Solid Waste and Management. 50 (1) :5-7.
  20. Hassan A., Fauziah S H., Agamuthu P., Jayanthi B., Innocent C O., Aziz A., and Helen S A. (2024) Influence of bioaugmented fungi on tolerance, growth and phytoremediation ability of Prosopis juliflora Sw DC.in heavy metal polluted landfill soil. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 31, 28671-28694. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-33018-1. (IF 5.8 Q1).
  21. Chijioke Uche Emenike *, Patricia Omo-Okoro, Agamuthu Pariatamby, Jayanthi Barasarathi, Fauziah Shahul Hamid. Remediation of leachate-contaminated soil using selected bacterial consortia. Soils Systems. 2024, 8: 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems8010033. (IF 3.5 Q1)
  22. Emenike C.U, Fauziah S.H, Agamuthu P. E P.N Omo-Okoro and Jayanthi B. Enhanced bioremediation of metal-contaminated soil by consortia of Proteobacteria. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution. (2023) 234:731. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-023-06729-3
  23. MiYan, Yayong Yen, Feng Chen, Dwi Hantoko, Agamuthu Pariatamby and Ekkachai Kanchanatip. 2023. Development of reusable Ni/y-Al2O3 catalyst for catalytic hydrolysis of waste PET bottles into terephthalic acid. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29596-1. Q1.
  24. Auwal H et al and Agamuthu P. 2023. Bioaugmentation-assisted bioremediation and biodegradation mechanisms for PCB in contaminated environments: A review on sustainable clean-up technologies. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering.11 (2023) 110055. Q1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2023.110055. (IF 7.968).
  25. Binaya Sapkota and Agamuthu Pariatamby. 2023. Pharmaceutical waste management system – are the current techniques sustainable, eco-friendly, and circular? A Review. Waste Management. Q1. (IF 8.816). 168:83-97
  26. Yayong Yang, Feng Chen, Tianchi Shen, Agamuthu Pariatamby, Xiaoqiang Wen, MI Yan, Ekkachai Kanchanatip. 2023. Catalytic depolymerization of waste polyethylene terephthalate plastic in supercritical ethanol by ZnO/Lambda-Al2O3 catalyst. Process Safety and Environmental Protection. 173 (2023): 881-892. IF 7.926) Q1.
  27. Lucy O et al and Agamuthu P. 2023. Interactions between marine megafauna and plastic pollution in South East Asia. Science of the Total Environment. Q1 (IF 10.75). Volume 874, 20 May 2023, 162502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162502
  28. Auwalu H., Agamuthu P., Ossai. I C., Aziz A., Mohd Afzanizam M., Jayanthi B., and Fauziah S.H. (2022). Synergistic association of endophytic fungi enhances tolerance, growth and heavy metal uptake of Alocasia calidora in landfill contaminated soil. Applied Soil Ecology 170 (2022) 104307. IF 4.046 Q2.

Achievements & Accolades

Selected Talks and Presentations: 

  1. 15 - 17 Dec 2025 Second Intl. Conf. on Sustainable Advanced Technologies for Environmental Management (SATE-2025), Keynote Speaker
  2. 17 Dec 2025 Forum on Carbon Research, Keynote Speaker
  3. 10th October 2025 9th International Conference on Ecotoxicology and Environmental Sciences (ICEES 2025)
  4. 20th August 2025 University Campuses as Living Labs for Promoting Sustainable Green and Blue Infrastructure (GBI) Development, Organising Chairman and Keynote Speaker
  5. 17 - 19 Dec 2024 4th Intl Conf. on Advanced Technologies for Pollution Control (ATIPC02024), Keynote Speaker
  6. 22 - 23 Sept 2023 International Symposium on Sustainable Waste Management (ISSWM- 2023), Keynote Speaker
  7. 24 August 2023 Ipoh Doughnut Workshop on Waste Management, Keynote Speaker
  8. 6 - 8 March 2023 Inst. Technology Bandung and International Waste Working Group (IWWG), Keynote Speaker
  9. 22 - 23 Sept 2022 Intel. Conf. on Innovation and Technopreneurship, Keynote Speaker
  10. 5 August 2022 Youth Innovation Forum, Keynote Speaker
  11. 24 March 2022: “Embracing the Circular Economy in the 12th Malaysia Plan”, Webinar held by Economic Planning Unit (EPU) under Prime Minister’s Department in collaboration with Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Panelist

Professional Associations

  1. Vice-President/International Advisory Board Member – Society of Solid Waste Management Experts in Asia and Pacific Islands (SWAPI)
  2. Visiting Professor, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
  3. Fellow, Academy of Sciences Malaysia
  4. Former Senior Editor in Chief, Waste Management & Research
  5. Editor, Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management
  6. Editorial Board, Journal of Safety and Environment
  7. Editorial Board, Advance in Environmental Waste Management & Recycling
  8. Chairman, Organization for Climate Change (OFCC)
  9. Board member (Vice Chairman), International Consultant Committee of Waste to Energy, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
  10. Steering Committee Member of Centre Collaborating with UNEP on Environmental Technologies (CCET)
  11. Member, DeTao Masters, China
  12. Member of the Experts Working Group, Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (RKC-MPD)