Acceptable recyclables

This is what Alam Flora recycling centresaccept and pay for. Items must be cleanand dry. 

Glass (5 sen per kg)

Newspapers, magazines, books,comics (all 15 sen), cardboard (10 sen),white or computer paper (20 sen)

Aluminium (RM1.80), steel tins (10sen)

Various plastics (10 sen). The centreaccepts all hard plastics and lighter onessuch as mineral water bottles, egg traysand fruit punnets. It does not acceptpolystyrene and soft plastics like carrierbags or plastic wrap. 

Alternatives 

If recycling centres are too far out of your way, you could: 

Donate them. Several charity groups collect recyclables and proceeds from sales are channelled to a good cause. They usually display banners along main roads or have drop-off boxes at shopping malls and other public venues. Call these groups to identify their drop-off points: 

Sri Sinar Charity Foundation (03-42977022/ www.pass.my.diip.net), Xim Phou Moon Welfare Society (03-89623745/ www.ximphoumoon.org), Buddhist Tzu-Chi Merit Society (03-78809048/ www.tzuchi.org.my) 

Bring them to school. Encourage students and teachers to bring in recyclables, exchange them for cash and channel the money into the library, textbook fund or uniforms for needy students. This is an excellent way for clubs to raise funds, a welcome departure from the usual bake sales and car washes. 

Give them away through a community message board. Members of Malaysian Free Cycle put up posts about stuff they do not use anymore, along with posts asking for stuff they want. When matches are struck, the goods pass hands and get another lease of life. It’s free to sign up and free to receive at http://groups.yahoo. com/group/freecycle_malaysia. Learn more about the Free Cycle movement at http://freecycle.org.  

Related stories: 

Recycling for kids’ future 

The British experience