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The Star
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Sharp rise in recyclables collected by Johor folk
Johor Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) is intensifying efforts to raise recycling rates across the state, to ensure the national target of 40% is achieved this year. Its deputy director Rafidah Mohamed said paper, bottles and electronic waste remained the top three collected recyclable materials in Johor based on its data. A volunteer weighing rubbish collected from a clean-up programme at Gunung Pulai. 'Johor's recycling volume saw a sharp increase last year, with 2.41 million kilogrammes of recyclables collected compared to 1.38 million kilogrammes in 2023. 'This surge is largely attributed to the impact of the separation-at-source initiative that encouraged households to sort waste before disposal,' she told StarMetro. However, Rafidah said Johor still faced major hurdles in public participation. 'The diverse cultural backgrounds, habits and socio-economic conditions among communities present real challenges for recycling. 'Many Malaysians still dispose of waste without sorting. Changing this habit requires persistent education and outreach.' She noted that in high-density housing areas, limited space posed a problem for families trying to store recyclables before collection day. Waste collected by volunteers during a beach clean-up programme in Mersing. According to Rafidah, access to recycling collection points remained limited in some neighbourhoods, which discouraged public participation. 'To combat these challenges, SWCorp has launched communication, education and public awareness campaigns statewide. 'These include school visits, public talks and awareness programmes held at community centres.' She said the company also had volunteers known as 'Hero Kebersihan' (Cleanliness Heroes) who would be mobilised to conduct clean-up activities and Rafidah says paper, bottles and e-waste remain the top three recyclable materials in Johor. educate local communities. The plastic waste collected from these clean-up activities were then separated and sent for recycling, she added. Rafidah said SWCorp had also partnered with industries and local authorities to reinforce circular economy principles, through programmes such as 'Trash to Cash.' She said this initiative rewarded households that separated recyclables with cash incentives or point-based rewards. 'To make waste separation a long-term habit, SWCorp introduced 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) education modules in schools and community programmes. 'Continuous engagement is key for us to have a society that always practises 3R day to day.' Rafidah said while SWCorp did not handle the recycling technology itself, it worked with industry players to ensure materials were processed responsibly. She cited its close working relationship with Hiroyuki Industries, a recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic processor, as an example of successful post-collection recycling. She said collected PET bottles from campaigns were sent to Hiroyuki's plant in Senai, Johor, for processing. Rafidah said bottles at the plant went through a cleaning and melting process before being converted into recycled PET resin. The resin was then used to produce a range of new plastic products, including food packaging and bottles, she elaborated. However, despite these efforts, she said Malaysia's PET recycling rate remained low with only 16% of bottles recovered and recycled. 'But Johor has seen pockets of success in waste separation, thanks to strong grassroots leadership and community spirit,' said Rafidah. She said among the examples were Masjid Bandar Putra IOI in Segamat, where structured collection systems had driven consistent recycling practices. She noted that the mosque provided dedicated collection cages for recyclables and encouraged residents to drop off materials regularly. She thanked the mosque committee for keeping the programme active and effective. 'This shows that proactive leadership, infrastructure and resident participation can produce long-term results.' In terms of enforcement, Rafidah said waste separation at source had been mandatory since 2015 in Johor, Melaka, Pahang and the Federal Territories. She said offenders could be fined up to RM1,000 under the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672). 'Still, education remains SWCorp's main approach to create better awareness among the public, with fines only issued after repeated non-compliance. 'SWCorp is also ramping up our partnerships with schools, local authorities and non-governmental organisations to expand recycling programmes across the state,' she elaborated. Rafidah said one flagship programme was the school recycling competition, which taught students through hands-on projects. 'We are also collaborating closely with local councils to operate drive-through recycling centres, enabling residents to drop off recyclables conveniently,' she said, adding that there were currently 86 such centres operating in seven states under Act 672, including Johor. 'Looking ahead, SWCorp's long-term strategy includes achieving the 40% national recycling target under the 12th Malaysia Plan. 'Plans include expanding the recycling bank programme in schools, kindergartens and public offices throughout Johor.' Rafidah said it also intended to scale up its zero waste community initiative, particularly in low-income housing projects. 'We aim to embed recycling into everyday life, from home to school and the office. 'Efforts will be further supported by ongoing education and media campaigns for better understanding of environmental sustainability,' she added. Rafidah said that through such efforts, the objective was not just about reducing landfill waste but also creating a culture of responsibility and care for future generations.
Borneo Post
19-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
PETRONAS Planting Tomorrow: A community-driven approach to sustainability
Nik Nazmi (right) trying his hand at sewing a bag from discarded textiles, assisted by Siti Azlina. SOME 50 residents of Kampung Warisan Inanam and 48 from Kampung Cenderamata 2 Likas have taken waste management to another level, not only reducing waste but turning it into income-generating products. The villagers, consisting mainly of housewives, are the participants of PETRONAS Planting Tomorrow: Towards Sustainable Communities, a PETRONAS signature programme carried out in collaboration with Yayasan Hijau Malaysia (YHM), an agency under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability. Through the programme, the participants were trained not only to reduce waste through recycling but also to upcycle it into valuable products. Upcycling – From Trash to Treasure The participants from Kampung Warisan Inanam focused on upcycling textile waste into bags and pencil cases, while Kampung Cenderamata 2 Likas upcycled plastic waste into beads, key chains, and coasters. Ruhainah Rustan of Kampung Warisan Inanam said that she and her peers have sold various products made from discarded textiles since acquiring the skill through the programme. 'We received six months of training, and since then, we've been able to sell our products at PETRONAS and Kota Kinabalu City Hall events. It's not much, but at least we can supplement our incomes,' said the 47-year-old housewife. Ruhainah (right) and fellow participants fromKampung Warisan Inanam with bags they made from discarded textiles. Ruhainah expressed hope for additional training, especially in producing larger items like bedsheets and blankets, saying she had never participated in such programme before. Meanwhile, Rafidah Sarigan of Kampung Cenderamata 2 Likas said she and her peers grabbed the opportunity as soon as YHM and PETRONAS offered them to participate in the programme in February 2024. According to the 41-year-old clerk, Kampung Cenderamata 2 Likas is no stranger to waste management, having been recognised as a 'clean village' for many years by Kota Kinabalu City Hall. Therefore, waste management and sustainability have long been close to the community's heart. Rafidah showing bracelets produced from discarded plastic. Rafidah, a member of the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK), said sourcing raw materials was easy as the villagers regularly separated waste and donated recyclable plastics to the local collection centre. 'So, when we were approached to join the programme, many villagers jumped at the opportunity. We participated in training sessions, and now we can make products from discarded plastics such as detergent containers,' she said. 'With the guidance provided, we've also learnt the commercial aspects of upcycling and have sold our products at various events. While we're not making significant income yet, we're looking forward to broadening our market and expanding our product range.' Building Awareness Beyond Upcycling Apart from upcycling training, the programme also included other environmental sustainability-related activities such as beach cleaning and environmental workshops involving students from nearby schools. During his recent visit to Kampung Cenderamata 2 Likas, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad described the partnership between YHM and PETRONAS as a strong example of how strategic collaboration can contribute to the country's circular economy agenda. Apart from reinforcing PETRONAS' role in supporting national sustainability goals, he said the partnership drives behavioural change at the grassroots level through the various activities that raised awareness on the importance of responsible consumption and waste management among the communities. Discarded plastic and processed products. 'This initiative also empowers local communities by equipping them with practical skills to repurpose waste materials into useful and marketable products such as household items, souvenirs, and cleaning agents. 'This programme proves that when communities are actively engaged and empowered, they become powerful agents of change, turning waste into economic opportunities through upcycling and recycling waste into product initiatives. 'We are not only tackling pollution but also building local livelihoods. This initiative has sparked greater awareness, participation, and ownership at the grassroots level especially among women and micro entrepreneurs. 'It also fosters a long-term behavioural shift towards responsible waste management. With continued support and cross-sector collaboration, this model can be scaled nationwide to drive Malaysia's sustainability goals from the ground up,' he said. Thanking PETRONAS and YHM for the initiative, Kota Kinabalu Mayor, Dato' Sri Dr Sabin Samitah said such programme not only benefits the participating communities but also helps City Hall in upkeeping the city's cleanliness. Also present at the event was PETRONAS Senior General Manager, Strategic Communications, Group Strategic Relations and Communications, Siti Azlina Abdul Latif, and PETRONAS Sabah and Labuan Regional Office General Manager, Siti Ayu Abdul Wahab. 'Through the PETRONAS Planting Tomorrow: Towards Sustainable Communities initiative, we are empowering communities in the two villages to transform waste into valuable products. 'This grassroots effort promotes environmental sustainability and creates economic opportunities for the residents, particularly women and micro-entrepreneurs. It's a testament to the power of collaboration in building resilient communities,' Siti Azlina said. community Petronas Recycling sustainability Previous Article China's inbound tourism market boasts vast potential
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Two Sabah villages explore waste-to-income initiatives
IN the residential communities of Kampung Warisan Inanam and Kampung Cenderamata 2 Likas, just a few kilometres from downtown Kota Kinabalu, a grassroots initiative focused on transforming waste into valuable products is quietly taking root. The groups, consisting mainly of housewives, are participants in Planting Tomorrow: Towards Sustainable Communities, a Petronas signature programme carried out in collaboration with Yayasan Hijau Malaysia (YHM), an agency under the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry. From turning plastic waste into coasters to repurposing discarded textiles into bags, the villagers are breathing new life into materials that would otherwise be thrown away. Through the programme, participants were trained not only to reduce waste through recycling but also to upcycle waste into valuable products. UPCYCLING - FROM TRASH TO TREASURE Fifty participants from Kampung Warisan Inanam focused on upcycling textile waste into bags, pencil cases, and other household items, while 48 participants from Kampung Cenderamata 2 Likas transformed plastic waste into beads, keychains, and coasters. Each group was actively engaged in their respective projects. Ruhainah Rustan from Kampung Warisan Inanam said she and her peers have been selling various products made from discarded textiles since learning the skills through the programme. "We received six months of training, and since then, we've been able to sell our products at Petronas and Kota Kinabalu City Hall events. It's not much, but at least we can supplement our incomes," said the 47-year-old housewife. Ruhainah expressed hope for additional training, particularly in producing larger items like bedsheets and blankets. Meanwhile, Rafidah Sarigan of Kampung Cenderamata 2 Likas said that she and her peers took the opportunity to join the programme when the offer came in February 2024. "Waste management is familiar to us; we've been recognised as a 'clean village' by Kota Kinabalu City Hall for many years," said Rafidah, a 41-year old clerk and member of the Village Development and Security Committee. Rafidah noted that sourcing raw materials for their projects was easy because the villagers already separated waste and donated recyclable plastic items to the local collection Centre. "When we were approached to join the programme, we jumped at the opportunity. We participated in the training sessions and now we're able to make products from discarded plastics like detergent containers," she said. Rafidah added that with the guidance provided, they also learnt the commercial side of upcycling. "We've sold our products at events, and although we're not making significant profits yet, we are hopeful that expanding our market and product range will lead to more sustainable income," she added. BUILDING AWARENESS BEYOND UPCYCLING In addition to the upcycling training, the programme also incorporated environmental sustainability-related activities such as beach clean-ups and workshops involving local schoolchildren. These initiatives have helped raise awareness about responsible consumption and the importance of waste management within the community. During his recent visit to Kampung Cenderamata 2 Likas, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad described the partnership between YHM and Petronas as a prime example of how strategic collaboration can contribute to Malaysia's circular economy goals. "This initiative also empowers local communities by equipping them with practical skills to repurpose waste materials into useful and marketable products such as household items, souvenirs, and cleaning agents," he said. He added that the programme proves that when communities are actively engaged and empowered, they become powerful agents of change by turning waste into economic opportunities through upcycling and recycling initiatives. "We are not only tackling pollution but also building local livelihoods. This initiative has sparked greater awareness, participation, and ownership at the grassroots level, especially among women and micro-entrepreneurs. "It also fosters a long-term behavioural shift towards responsible waste management. With continued support and cross-sector collaboration, this model can be scaled nationwide to drive Malaysia's sustainability goals from the ground up," he said. LOCAL SUPPORT AND GROWING MOMENTUM Kota Kinabalu Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah echoed the minister's sentiments, praising the initiative for empowering communities while contributing to the city's cleanliness. Also present at the event were Petronas senior general manager of Strategic Communications, Group Strategic Relations and Communications, Siti Azlina Abdul Latif, and Petronas Sabah and Labuan Regional Office general manager, Siti Ayu Abdul Wahab. "Through the Petronas Planting Tomorrow: Towards Sustainable Communities initiative, we are empowering communities in the two villages to transform waste into valuable products.
