Replacement in progress: A worker wheeling new bins to landed properties in Bandar Manjalara, Kuala Lumpur. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
KUALA Lumpur, Putrajaya and Pahang residents receiving new rubbish bins under a federal rollout are required to lodge a police report if any are stolen.
Waste concessionaire Alam Flora Sdn Bhd said residents looking for a replacement bin for their domestic waste would have to submit a police report.
Those failing to show proof of a report would have to buy a bin, the company said.
The programme, which started in January 2024, is to phase out old rubbish bins and introduce new, standardised ones.
Since its rollout, 1,000 bins or 2.49% have been reported stolen or missing to date.
To address theft and misuse, Alam Flora has implemented a bin tracking system to monitor distribution and ensure accountability.
The bin replacement initiative by the Federal Government in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Pahang is aimed at phasing out old bins and introducing standardised ones. — Photos: AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
Proof of lost bin
“Each bin is assigned a unique ID, tagged with a serial number and QR code, allowing for easy monitoring and identification,” said Alam Flora chief executive officer Shariman Yusuf Mohamed Zain.
“This helps with inventory, maintenance scheduling, and loss prevention in making sure bins are accounted for and used as intended.”
Alam Flora was carrying out awareness campaigns and engaging with residents on proper bin usage as well as coordinating with local councils to retrieve old bins, he said.
“The new rubbish bins are for individual premises, and house owners are not allowed to move them to another location without Alam Flora’s approval. Each bin has its own serial number.
“The bin is government property, so if it goes missing the houseowner will have to make a police report to get a new one.
“No police report, no replacement bin,” said Shariman Yusuf.
While instances of misuse were low, there had been reports of bins being used for storage, while some are using the new bin alongside the old, he noted.
“Alam Flora is actively engaging with local communities to reinforce proper bin usage.
“If there is misuse, targeted awareness campaigns and enforcement measures may be implemented,” he said.
Since the start of the bin replacement programme last year, 120,000 (as of February) mobile waste bins have been distributed across Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Pahang.
This initiative is part of a broader plan to roll out 314,950 bins in total by the end of 2025.
The goal is to streamline waste collection, curb illegal dumping as well as encourage households and businesses to practise separation at source.
Alam Flora said it had faced logistical challenges in the distribution process.
The company, said Shariman Yusuf, was enhancing coordination with local authorities, Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) and residents’ associations to address this.
Alam Flora workers unloading the new apple-green bins and carting away old ones in Taman Manjalara, Kuala Lumpur.
Domestic waste, also known as household waste, refers to rubbish generated from residential properties, including organic waste such as food scraps, general waste like dirty food packaging and disposable hygiene products, as well as recyclables such as paper, plastic, glass and metal.
It also includes garden waste such as leaves and grass clippings, and bulk waste which is large discarded items like old furniture and household appliances.
In Kuala Lumpur, domestic waste is collected twice a week, while bulk waste and recyclables are collected once a week.
Residents must separate recyclables and garden waste into specific categories and place them next to the bins on collection days.
Since September 2015, waste separation at source has been mandatory, and those who fail to comply can be fined.
The bins come in three sizes: 120litre bins for landed residential homes, 240litre bins for commercial premises and 660litre bins for high-rise residential buildings and shophouses.
Shariman Yusuf (right) speaking to a homeowner after giving out new rubbish bins in Taman Manjalara.
Need for new bins
Shariman Yusuf said a bin’s average lifespan was about seven to eight years, but proper care could extend its durability.
Old bins, he said, were still in good condition but subject to discolouration.
“The older bins were manufactured in Europe based on international standard EN840.
“The new bins are locally produced and meet the same quality standards.
“It is our effort to support local businesses,” he said.
EN840 is the European standard for mobile waste and recycling bins, built to withstand heavy loads, frequent handling and mechanical lifting.
Shariman Yusuf said residents had responded positively to the new bins.
“We will continue gathering feedback to refine and enhance the service.
“So far, the bin distribution has reached 31% in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, and 38% in Pahang.”
He further said that Kuala Lumpur generated over 2,900 tonnes of waste every day.
“If we don’t take recycling seriously, we will be drowning in our own rubbish.
“People must make waste separation a habit and not an afterthought, to reduce landfill dependency for a cleaner city,” he stressed.
Low: Going to police station for a missing bin is too much effort.
Residents’ feedback
Many Kuala Lumpur residents said they were pleased with the new bins but unhappy with Alam Flora’s requirement to lodge a police report if one went missing.
“Making a police report for a stolen bin is a hassle,” said Segambut Dalam resident Omar Zakaria.
Taman Manjalara, Jalan 21/62B Residents Association chairman Alex Low said some bins had already gone missing in his area.
“Residents feel that going to the police station just to report a missing rubbish bin is too much work.
“There should be a simpler way to get a replacement without so much red tape,” he said.
