SWCorp: Waste separation delayed at high-rises

THE enforcement on high-rises to separate their domestic waste has been delayed yet again because of difficulties in getting the residents to cooperate.

A source from the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) enforcement unit said they faced many issues when trying to get residents to practice separation at source (SAS).

Currently, it is mandatory for only landed households to separate their waste at source.

The Government introduced SAS two years ago, but SWCorp has been struggling to convince the Joint Management Bodies (JMB) and residents to segregate their waste.

“It seems like SAS is the hardest thing to accomplish for residents living in high-rises, despite regular engagement with the community through the condo management.

“The JMBs say that trying to convince residents to separate their waste was proving to be harder than expected.

“Perhaps enforcement is the only thing that can help them change their attitude,” the source said.

SWCorp deputy Federal Territories director Mohd Zahir Shaari confirmed that SAS on high-rises was delayed but could not say when it would be implemented.

“We are still engaging with the public but despite providing the necessary facilities for them, many still refuse to separate their waste.

“Even the recycling cages we gave them are abused and thrown away,” Mohd Zahir said.

Asked for the demographics, Mohd Zahir said it involved high-rises from across the board.

“They come both from affluent and low-cost areas.

“We hope they will come to realise sooner or later on the importance of waste separation,” he said.

In September 2015, the Government implemented the SAS programme under the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act 2007 (Act 672) in Melaka, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Perlis, Kedah and the Federal Territories.

Under the ruling, offenders will be compounded between RM50 and RM500 for both landed and non-landed premises for failing to separate their waste accordingly.

For landed premises owners, for the first offence the fine is RM50, RM100 (second offence) and RM500 (third offence).

For non-landed property, the JMB can be fined RM100, RM200 and RM500, respectively.

After the third offence, legal action will be taken.