A COMMUNITY recycling centre, which has been operating in Kuala Lumpur for over a decade, has to move out as the landowner wants the site back for a carpark.
Tzu Chi Taman Desa Recycle Collection Centre in Taman Danau Desa, Kuala Lumpur was served a notice to vacate on Oct 22 by the landowner.
Taman Desa Residents Association (TDRA) chairman Wong Chan Choy said volunteers as well as the surrounding communities were devastated as the place was not just a recycling centre but also an education hub where the public was taught about recycling and embracing a green lifestyle.
The centre has been operating on a 1,400sqm plot since 2011.
The site used to be an Alam Flora rubbish sorting centre.
Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia took over the running of the centre 11 years ago.
In 2017, the land was sold to a third party.
“The new landowner allowed us to remain at the site for free all this while and we appreciate that, but now they want it back and we need to look for a new place.
“We hope to continue the centre in some other place in Taman Desa so that recycling efforts will continue,’’ Wong said.
TDRA advisor Datuk William Chan said they were hoping to appeal for an extension as it was not easy to find an alternative site.
“We hope to continue recycling activities near or around the area.
“We have identified one area, but we are not sure who owns the land and we hope to find out,’’ he said, adding that they needed more time.
Tzu Chi station master for the Taman Desa centre Francis Tan confirmed it had to move out by Nov 22.
“We will appeal and we are willing to pay rent.
“We have established a haven for elderly folk to spend their free time sorting recyclables,” he said.
One of the volunteers is 70-year-old Lee Lin.
“I do this to keep my mind active.
“It is better than sitting at home watching TV,’’ she added.
The centre is also open to visitors from schools, colleges and companies who want to learn about recycling.
When the matter was brought to the attention of Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) Federal Territories director Ummi Kalthum Shuib, she commended Tzu Chi for successfully carrying out the recycling programme all these years.
“We hope a suitable location will be found.
“Unfortunately, we do not have a site to place the centre,” she said when met during a visit to Taman Desa.
She urged anyone with suitable land to come forward.
Apart from recycling, Tzu Chi and TDRA had last year embarked on a Kebun Desa project aimed at getting residents out of their homes to do gardening.
They started growing organic vegetables for their own consumption and for the city’s soup kitchen.
Chilli, cucumber, tomato, curry leaf, brinjal, okra, mint, as well as french and long beans were grown.
More than 60 families were regular volunteers in the project.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
