PETALING JAYA (ANN/THE STAR) – Recycling centres in Putrajaya and Petaling Jaya are not just essential for diverting waste from landfills; they have also transformed into educational hubs, encouraging the public to reconsider their waste disposal habits.
Alam Flora Environment Solution manager Ismi Azura Istear Khan mentioned that Putrajaya boasts an Integrated Recycling Facility (IRF) in addition to a community recycling centre known as Pusat Kitar Semula Komuniti Putrajaya.
She recounted an instance where a teacher inquired about the fate of separated waste sent for recycling and expressed students’ interest in witnessing the subsequent processing.
Knowing there was interest, she said, the IRF also became a place where the public could learn what happens behind the scenes.
Ismi highlighted that the IRF includes a unique feature called Koc Ilmu, an educational center housed in a repurposed railway passenger coach.
“We’ve transformed an old train coach into an educational space filled with books and a reading room, which has become a highlight of the IRF,” she explained.
She mentioned that Alam Flora initially focused on educational outreach programs in schools and offices within Putrajaya.
Overcoming traditional mindsets proved challenging, especially in the early stages of the campaign.
“In 2000, our campaign aimed to instill proper waste disposal habits, as people used to hang plastic bags of rubbish on their fences. However, attitudes have since evolved, with people becoming more civic-conscious about waste disposal and recycling,” she noted.
In Precinct 9 of Putrajaya, the community recycling centre features a Resell 3R Boutique, offering bags, shoes, and clothes for sale to the public.
“Families often visit during weekends to donate recyclables, engaging in recycling activities together,” Ismi added.
Recyclables dropped off at the center can also be exchanged for cash. Ismi mentioned that in 2004, then-Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi declared Putrajaya as a recycling city, leading to various initiatives to promote recycling.
“Starting in 2005, we launched a door-to-door recycling campaign, providing blue and white plastic bags for residents to segregate their recyclables. Blue bags are for papers, while white bags are for other recyclable items. We also conducted recycling promotion activities in schools,” she concluded.
Workshops and exhibitions
The PJ Eco Recycling Plaza in Petaling Jaya has become a popular community hub, attracting around 10,000 visitors last year, according to Zain Azly Abdul Rahman, the director of MBPJ Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Department. Located at the Sungai Way Free Trade Industrial Zone, the plaza has been operational since 2019 and officially opened to the public in March 2022.
Activities at the plaza include workshops, the sale of preloved items, exhibitions, training sessions, and environmental celebrations. Despite not offering cash for recyclables, the plaza serves as an educational centre, with facilities for polystyrene recycling.
Last year, the plaza collected 106,607kg of recyclables, including papers, cardboard, polystyrene, glass, ceramic, metal, aluminum, and used clothes. Zain Azly noted a positive shift in recycling habits, with better-educated individuals contributing higher-quality recyclable items, such as papers, boxes, and used clothes.
The plaza aims to become a one-stop 5R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink, Reinvent) centre, emphasising the importance of sustainability and waste management. Additionally, the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) launched a new recyclable drop-off point at The Spine @ PJKita earlier this year, expanding recycling accessibility within the community.
Dr Theng Lee Chong, an environment and waste management specialist, praised initiatives like the PJ Eco Recycling Plaza, noting that they play a crucial role in promoting recycling as a lifestyle. He highlighted the importance of further promoting these centres in schools and organisations to engage those who are still hesitant about recycling, ultimately fostering a culture of environmental consciousness and sustainability.
