Lam separating recyclables for the Door to Door collection service.
THE single stream separation (SSS) project, involving more than 11,000 households in Subang Jaya, is gaining traction.
SSS is a collection method where recyclables are placed in a bag for collection by waste contractors.
To make disposal of recyclables easier for residents of landed properties, a Door to Door (D2D) pilot project was introduced on Dec 1.
Abu Hassan (second from right) handing over recyclables to KDEB worker RA Kader while Zubir (right) looks on.
The doorstep collection service is an initiative by Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng Mei Sze’s office in collaboration with KDEB Waste Management (KDEBWM).
With D2D service, residents no longer have to cart bags of recyclables to a recycling centre.
To make it even more convenient, the D2D service takes place on days when domestic waste is collected.
The recyclable collection programme kicked off in selected residential areas in Subang Jaya.
Ng said encouraging residents to place recyclables like newspapers, magazines, cardboards, carton boxes, plastic or glass bottles and aluminium cans into one bag has shown positive results.
“Our D2D collection is gaining momentum as convenience has become the crucial aspect of recycling behaviour. Discarded recyclables make up a high proportion of waste.
“We want to reduce recyclables that burden landfills and increase recovery of waste to lessen the city’s contribution to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.”
She said the D2D was a basic step to pursue a sustainable waste management approach where, “KDEBWM recovers materials from waste to recycle”.
Siva: D2D is a good start to cut down on waste dumped at landfills.
“If you look at the bigger picture, the simple act of SSS is to advance towards zero waste to help protect the environment as many have stopped dumping cardboard boxes on road corners.
“This lowers cost of waste management, creates jobs and promotes a cleaner neighbourhood.”
Phase 1 of the doorstep collection involves Zone 1 (SS12 to SS19 and Wangsa Baiduri) and Zone 2 (PJS 7, PJS 9 and PJS 11) with a total of 11,057 households.
“The zero waste approach allows for more job opportunities. In these tough economic times, because more manpower is needed to collect and sort out the recyclables,” said Ng.
She said 55% of domestic waste, sent to landfills, had the potential to be recycled.
“Subang Jaya’s recycling rate was estimated at 17%. The aim is to raise it to 40% by the end of 2025.
“Our effort has become more impactful with residents involved in separating recyclables,” she added.
Assessment of the service as to whether the programme should be extended to USJ under Phase 2 is to be carried out in March.
KDEB managing director Datuk Ramli Mohd Tahir said there was active participation among residents in supporting the D2D collection to divert recyclable waste from landfills.
“Our team of contractors are working closely with Ng’s office to ensure separating of recyclables becomes a lifestyle routine for residents,” he said.
“It is gaining traction as our contractors have observed residents encouraging immediate neighbours to separate waste.”
The overall collection of recyclables for a day from two zones was estimated at 860kg, he added.
“In two weeks, an estimated 12 tonnes of recyclables is collected,” said Ramli.
“As a significant player in Subang Jaya’s domestic waste management, KDEB aims to raise awareness on the SSS and D2D collection, which are convenient approaches to recycling,” he said.
SS14 Rukun Tetangga (RT) sector chairman Tan Eng Tor, 66, said residents were supportive of the sorting and separating of household recyclables due to the convenient approach.
“Our RT has informed all residents via our WhatsApp group. Residents are in support as the D2D collection will see less littering and dumping of recyclables along road corners. It is also good for the environment,” he said.
SS15/6A RT Hexagon sector chairman R. Siva, 75, said the D2D was a good start to lessening waste dumped at landfills.
He said that over 380 households in the area were informed to separate their recyclables.
SS15 resident Florence Sundram, 75, said residents were getting more conscious about their effect on the environment and were making an effort to recycle to fight climate change.
“We need to be more environmentally conscious to reduce our carbon footprint for the future of Subang Jaya,” she added.
Rukun Tetangga SS15/2 and SS15/3 sector chairman Lam Pang Cheng, 74, said the D2D programme would foster a culture of sustainability and environmental responsibility among community members.
“We need to adopt responsible waste separation practices for a better environment and quality of life,” he said.
Rukun Tetangga PJS9 Bandar Sunway deputy chairman Abu Hassan Ahmad, 62, said the D2D collection was a sustainable practice for dealing with recyclables.
“However, more promotional activities are needed for greater participation among residents,” he said.
The D2D service, said KDEB Waste Management PJS9 supervisor Zubir Zainal, 31, was helping to foster a culture of sustainability as residents were now motivated to separate their recyclables when disposing waste.
Lam separating recyclables for the Door to Door collection service.
Tan: Residents are happy to sort and separate household recyclable waste.
Florence says residents are more conscious about their role in fighting climate change.
Ramli: KDEB will raise awareness of the D2D service as it is a convenient approach to recycling.
Ng: 55% of domestic rubbish, sent to landfills, have the potential to be recycled.
