Iskandar Puteri sets sights on becoming model green city

The Star

11-06-2025

ISKANDAR Puteri City Council (MBIP) is stepping up its commitment to sustainability, through a comprehensive low-carbon society framework that places community recycling and waste management at its core.
Mayor Ahmad Nazir Mohd Nasir said the five-year-old Iskandar Puteri Low Carbon (IPRK) initiative, spearheaded by MBIP, had been actively conducting programmes to reduce landfill waste and promote household-level recycling.
'IPRK's early focus encouraged recycling practices in residential and office premises, notably through competitions that incentivised greener lifestyles.
'This grassroots approach laid the foundation for a series of innovative pocket initiatives that followed,' he told StarMetro.
Ahmad Nazir said that among standout efforts was the drive-through recycling counter, which allowed residents to conveniently drop off recyclables.
He said the programme had not only gained traction among Iskandar Puteri residents but also from surrounding areas including Kulai, Pasir Gudang, Pontian and even as far as Simpang Renggam.
'The strong response we have received demonstrates that communities are ready and willing to participate in sustainable waste practices when given the right support and infrastructure.
'Building on that momentum, MBIP and its IPRK strategic partners introduced a sustainable waste management pillar under the Iskandar Puteri Low-Carbon Community Grant.'
Ahmad Nazir said the grant provided funding, expert guidance and cross-agency support to empower local groups to implement zero-waste and recycling initiatives.
'This initiative is about moving beyond awareness and empowering people to act.
'The grant allows communities to take ownership of their waste, reduce landfill contribution and explore innovative solutions.'
He said to date, MBIP had established 11 recycling centres across Iskandar Puteri under the IPRK grant.
He added that these included facilities at Masjid Taman Pulai Indah, Taman Impian Emas Community Recycling Centre, Sunway Boulevard and several schools such as SK Perling, SK Taman Bukit Indah, SK Sungai Melayu and SK Taman Mutiara Rini.
'Together, these centres have collected 62,601kg of recyclable materials, which is a significant step towards reducing the city's carbon footprint,' said Ahmad Nazir.
He said in a move to diversify the types of waste addressed, MBIP also launched an initiative to collect used cooking oil from households and food businesses.
The programme, he said, had gathered 11,752.8kg of used oil, preventing it from being improperly disposed of and contaminating water systems.
Ahmad Nazir said MBIP was particularly proud of its Oil2Wang kiosk, a first of its kind in Johor, located at Taman Pulai Flora surau.
The kiosk enables residents to exchange used cooking oil for rewards.
'This kind of practical, community-driven programme is the future of urban environmental management.
'When residents are included in the process, they become champions of change,' he said.
Ahmad Nazir stressed that efforts to reduce solid waste at source were crucial in achieving Johor's sustainability targets.
He said by integrating educational outreach, grant support, and recycling infrastructure, the IPRK model hoped to build a culture of sustainability that extended beyond city boundaries.
Ahmad Nazir believes Iskandar Puteri can serve as a living lab for other local councils in Johor and across Malaysia.
'We want to demonstrate that smart, low-cost solutions implemented at community level can create a real impact.
'Recycling is not merely about waste collection but also about reshaping public perception on waste itself, which is from a problem to a resource.'
Ahmad Nazir said MBIP was also working to integrate more schools into its recycling network, to foster eco-conscious behaviour from a young age and ensure the next generation continued the mission.
'As climate concerns intensify, MBIP plans to expand its partnerships with private companies, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions to further scale up recycling and waste minimisa-tion programmes.
'More community composting pilot projects are on the horizon, particularly in residen­tial areas and community gardens where organic waste manage­ment can be implemented effectively.'
He said MBIP had set its sights on becoming a model green city in southern Malaysia by leveraging data-driven initiatives to track recycling performance and improve community engagement.
'We believe local action is the most powerful driver of national progress.
'By investing in our people, infrastructure and long-term vision, Iskandar Puteri is on the right path to becoming a cleaner, greener and more resilient city,' Ahmad Nazir added. –