'Plogging' their way to cash from trash in Ampang

KUALA LUMPUR: Ampang residents are turning trash into cash, thanks to a "plogging" campaign mooted by local authorities.

Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said the Ampang cash-to-trash model would be extended nationwide to promote cleanliness and help supplement income.

"The proceeds can be used to offset maintenance fees. School children can also use it as pocket money," she said after launching the "plogging" campaign in Pandan Indah organised by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council Sunday (Sept 22).

Under the campaign, residents are encouraged to collect discarded plastics, bottles, papers, cans, and other items that could be recycled, and sell it.

"We are also looking at providing a platform for residents to sell their food waste (for composting purposes) as well," she said.

She said they are aggressively pursuing the "plogging" campaign because 60% of 32 million Malaysians are habitual litterbugs.

"By providing a platform for people to make money out of trash, we may succeed in cleaning up Malaysia," she said.

She said keeping the neighbourhood clean was also crucial in preventing diseases spread by vectors such as rats and mosquito.

So far,"plogging" campaigns have been organised in four areas in Ampang namely Lembah Jaya, UK Perdana, Pandan Indah and Bukit Indah, where residents succeeded in turning 2000kg of trash into money.

"We want to organise the campaign in all areas under the 24 municipal councillors in Ampang (by year-end).

"Once completed, we will use this 'plogging' trash-for-cash model throughout Malaysia," she said.

Zuraida said it was part of the National Community programme.

"We are promoting a shared prosperity, shared responsibility culture," she said.

On the recent demolition of houses in Paya Jaras that had made many homeless, Zuraida said they would look into offering PPR (Projek Perumahan Rakyat) and SelangorKu homes to those eligible.

"We have obtained the list of names. It is being processed now," she said.