SWCorp: Recycling cages to remain despite low usage

THE Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) will not be suspending the recycling cage project even if only 5% of the residents are using the cages correctly, said SWCorp deputy chief executive officer Dr Mohd Pauze Mohamad Taha.

Mohd Pauze said they would continue educating the residents on proper waste management and recycling.

“The recycling cages are meant to facilitate the process, but everyone must play their role including the residents and the JMBs.

“Even if only five to 10% are using the cages properly, we will still carry on with the project.

“We will not suspend just because things are not going the right way,’’ he said.

Mohd Pauze said the recycling effort must be done continually and cited the example of how back in the early 1980s, the rural folk struggled to use modern toilets.

“It took a long time for people to migrate from the squatting toilet system to the sitting one, but eventually it happened,’’ he said.

When asked if there were any plans to impose fines on those who were not using the recycling cages properly, Mohd Pauze said: “No we won’t do that yet, but enforcement will continue.’’

When it was pointed out that enforcement without fines would not have any impact, Mohd Pauze said: “If we get complaints from residents who are serious about recycling and waste separation regarding their apathetic neighbours, then we will take action,’’ he said, adding that residents must however lodge complaints first.

Mohd Pauze said the agency had carried out educational programmes with thousands of schools and is confident that people would eventually change their ways.

Since June 1, under Act 672 of the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act 2007, it has been mandatory for households in Kuala Lumpur to separate solid waste at source. This has also been implemented and enforced in Putrajaya, Pahang, Johor, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Perlis and Kedah.

However, SWCorp who plays the regulatory role in Kuala Lumpur, has been reluctant to implement fines, saying that it would only be carried out as a last resort.