A PORTION of waste generated during the Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves temple this year will be sent to recycling centres instead of ending up in landfills.
Two non-governmental organisations (NGO) aim to channel as much rubbish for recycling as possible, with the help of hundreds of volunteers and in partnership with the Thaipusam Task Force (TFF).
The two NGOs are Cuci Malaysia, a nationwide movement focusing on picking up trash in public areas, and Clean Thaipusam that aims for a clean and litter-free Thaipusam.
Cuci Malaysia is sending some 150 volunteers to help in the Thaipusam clean-up efforts outside the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves, Gombak, throughout the festival.
Its president Chandra Arjun said the NGO was working with partners to help in the logistics of collecting and sending the waste to be recycled.
“This is only our second year working with TFF, so hopefully we can make a difference,” he said, adding that this was also to respect the heritage and cultural significance of the revered site.
This year Thaipusam falls on Feb 11.
Clean Thaipusam will also collect recyclable waste at the festival grounds such as hard plastic containers, cardboard boxes, soft drink cans as well as plastic and glass milk bottles.
Earnings from the Thaipusam recycling initiative will be channeled to SJK (T) Batu Caves.
Organisation co-founder T. Sathiyavarman said it aimed to have some 500 volunteers at five locations.
“We will be on the ground for about 111 hours, starting from Feb 8 until Thaipusam day.
“Besides Batu Caves temple, we will have volunteers at temples in Penang, Ipoh (Perak), Sungai Petani (Kedah) and Masai in Johor,” he added.
In total, the TFF is gearing up to deploy over 1,000 dedicated volunteers at temples nationwide for this year’s Thaipusam celebration.
TFF chairman G. Gunaraj said at least 500 volunteers would be stationed at Batu Caves during the three busiest days leading up to the festival.
“These volunteers will play a vital role in maintaining cleanliness and ensuring devotees are aware of the dos and don’ts during the festivities,” he said in a press conference in Petaling Jaya yesterday.
Among the volunteers are also 200 youth from the Human Resources Ministry’s Wira Kesuma programme.
Gunaraj said that in the 10 years since the TFF was initiated, there had been a positive shift in attitudes in waste management, enforcement and awareness surrounding the festival.
“Many food and drinks stall operators have also switched to biodegradable materials, leading to significant reduction of landfill waste in the long run,” he said.
TFF is a coalition comprising Hindu-based NGOs including Malaysia Hindu Sangam and Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram.
