KUALA LUMPUR: The 2023 National Recycling Day (HKSK) celebration serves as a call to the public to continue practicing the 3R concept to reduce, reuse and recycle for environmental sustainability.
Local Government Development Minister (KPKT) Nga Kor Ming, said the public must realise the importance of practicing the 3Rs because managing solid waste is not solely the responsibility of government agencies as it is the duty of the people to preserve the earth for future generations.
Referring to waste generation data in the country, he said approximately 38,259 tonnes of waste are disposed of in landfills every day and it is estimated that 44.5 per cent of this consists of food waste, followed by plastic (13.2 per cent), paper (8.5 per cent), metal (2.7 per cent), glass (3.3 per cent), and 2.78 per cent of other materials.
“We are talking about survival, not just awareness. To make recycling a way of life requires not only awareness but also commitment. You know what (recycling) is, but if you don’t practice it, it’s as good as you don’t know. One should realise how important it is and to walk the talk.”
Nga said this to Bernama recently in conjunction with HKSK 2023 celebration in the presence of Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Husaini Abdul Rahman.
National Recycling Day is celebrated every March 18 since 2018, and in Malaysia, Nov 11 has been chosen as the official date for (HKSK) celebration. It is aimed to call the public to collectively adopt the 3R’s (reduce, reuse, and recycle) and cultivate a lifelong culture of environmental conservation.
On HKSK 2023, Nga said its purpose is to ensure that one of Malaysia MADANI’s components, sustainability, is fulfilled. It is an initiative by the ministry through SWCorp as part of efforts to achieve a recycling rate of 40 per cent in the country by 2025.
He said the highlight of HKSK 2023 will be held today through the Malam Apresiasi Madani Cintai Bumi programme at Dewan De’ Seri Endon Puspanita, Putrajaya, in appreciation of those who had actively been involved in cleanliness programmes and 3R efforts.
The programme tonight will include an announcement on the national recycling rate for 2023, a special awards presentation and Reuz Band entertaining the crowd with beats using recycled items.
On SWCorp’s initiatives in promoting the 3R culture and waste segregation, Nga said among the steps taken were introducing the Drive Thru Recycle Centre (DTRC) and currently 65 centres operational nationwide are compliant with the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672).
“The user-friendly concept of DTRC facilities makes it convenient for the public to drop off pre-sorted recyclables, encouraging everyone to adopt recycling practices and make it a way of life,” he said.
Nga said that DTRC aligns with the ‘Waste to Gold’ concept, enabling communities to generate additional income through recycling activities and this supports the transition from a linear to a circular economy in solid waste management, reducing reliance on new sources to produce products.
He said another initiative, the Trash to Cash programme aims to promote recycling activities, save recyclable waste from being disposed of directly into landfills and provide returns or additional income to individuals or communities implementing it.
As of Sept 2023, a total of 12,730 tonnes of recyclables worth RM5,412,076.93 were collected, he said.
SWCorp has also organised various campaigns and competitions, including the Value Food No Waste campaign, School Recycling Competitions (PerKISS), Waste To Wealth Innovation Design (WAWI) Competition, Zero Waste Community, World Clean-up Day, Volunteer Cleanliness Hero, and the Solid Waste Management Star Rating Award for Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Sectors (STAR-CII).
Nga said the government’s planned and implemented programmes and initiatives focus on changing the public’s perception that waste is valuable because apart from preventing wastage of natural resources, it is also a potential source of income.
“The government hopes that all parties, especially the public will support and participate in the programmes and initiatives implemented so that our collective efforts to preserve our planet will bear fruit for future generations,” said Nga. – BERNAMA
