JOHOR BARU: It will be mandatory for all types of household wastes to be separated in an effort to promote a healthier and cleaner environment in six states and the Federal Territory from September.
Solid Waste Corporation (SWCorp) Johor Baru director Asri Amat said the Household Solid Waste Segregation Programme would take effect following months of awareness campaigns.
“Come September, each household must separate their recyclable items in separate transparent plastic bags while regular wastes such as food and organic wastes can be placed into plastic bags.
“Food waste bags should be thrown into the wheelie-bins while the transparent bags should be placed at the side of the bin along with any bulk waste,” he told The Star here yesterday.
The six states are Johor, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Perlis and Kedah.
Asri said the objective of the programme was to ensure that only lesser wastes was sent to the landfills thus prolonging the landfills’ life span.
“Currently, each of our landfills can take in rubbish for about 50 years but with this new programme, we are confident of increasing the life span of landfills to an average of 100 years, similar to Korea and Japan,” he said.
Asri said the company had been conducting awareness campaigns in several areas in Johor to educate the public on the programme since March.
“We hope that with the ample time given, the public will comply with the new methods of waste management,” he said, adding that adopting the new method should not be a major problem as Johor has the highest number of recycling clubs in the country.
He said the numbers of landfills could be reduced through the new method as the centralisation system currently enforced in Johor had also reduced the number of landfills from 16 to seven over the past six years.
“Those who do not abide by the new regulations will be facing action under the Solid Waste and Public Cleanliness Act,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Putrajaya, SWCorp chief executive officer Datuk Ab Rahim Md Noor said a company had been appointed to collect garbage in the six states and the Federal Territory.
“They will also observe and note households who flout the rule. Notices will be issued and a maximum compound of RM1,000 will be imposed on errant househols by 2016,” he told Bernama after giving out prizes to winners of a 3R (Reduce Reuse Recycle) marathon run yesterday.
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