SWCorp officers explaining how to use the new 240litre bins to business owners as Brickfields Residents Association chairman SKK Naidu (left) looks on. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
SHOPS in Kuala Lumpur’s commercial centres will no longer share communal rubbish bins.
They will instead receive individual 240litre ones.
This follows a surge in illegal dumping cases that has led to overflowing waste and environmental concerns.
Federal Territory Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) has received numerous complaints regarding the cleanliness of communal bins at the back lanes of many commercial areas in the city.
Previously, businesses relied on 660-litre communal bins provided by waste management company Alam Flora Sdn Bhd.
However, these have been misused by outsiders discarding renovation debris and other bulk waste.
To tackle the problem, each shop will be given a 240litre bin, allowing SWCorp to monitor waste disposal more effectively.
“Irresponsible individuals were dumping construction debris into the bins to avoid paying tipping fees,” an SWCorp spokesperson said.
A tipping fee is the charge imposed for disposing of waste at a landfill, recycling facility, or waste treatment centre.
The fee is typically calculated based on the weight (per tonne) or volume of the waste being disposed of and is paid by waste collection companies, local authorities or businesses transporting waste to these facilities.
“We have caught many people dumping construction debris into communal bins, often at night to avoid detection.
“Now, all businesses in commercial areas will receive a 240litre bin each, and depending on the location, they will be allowed to place their bins either in front or at the back of their shops.
“This system enables us to better monitor waste disposal,” the spokesperson added.
In areas with mixed commercial and residential properties such as shophouses, the 660litre communal bins will still be used.
As part of a recent bin distribution initiative in Brickfields, 24 units of the 240litre rubbish bins were given to shops along parts of Jalan Tun Sambanthan and Jalan Thambipillay.
“The first few days showed promising results, with some improvement in waste management.
“However, we identified premises generating excessive waste and instructed them to hire licensed contractors for proper waste management in compliance with Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672).
“We conducted engagement sessions and issued official notices on the transition last month and will continue to monitor the situation closely,” the spokesperson said.
Business owners and residents expressed happiness over the change, saying that it had made the area cleaner.
“Before this, the communal bins were always overflowing with rubbish and the smell was unbearable.
“Now that we have our own bins, the area is much cleaner, and I can manage my waste properly without worrying about others misusing it,” said Senthil K, a restaurant owner in Brickfields.
Boutique owner Shanti Gopal on Jalan Tun Sambanthan said, “This new system has really helped to keep the back lanes neat.
“Previously, there were rats scurrying through the communal bins because people threw food waste.
“With individual bins, we have better control over our rubbish,” she said.
Meanwhile, SWCorp said challenges faced in collecting rubbish included obstructions caused by illegal extensions.
“In some areas, there are so many illegal structures that there is no space to place rubbish bins,” the spokesperson said.
