SWCorp targets 40% recycling rate by 2025, current rate at 30%

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) has increased the target for recycling rate in the seven states under its supervision to 40% by 2025.

SWCorp director (research and technology division) Zulkifli Tamby Chik (pic) is confident of achieving the target following positive developments with the increase in the collection of recycled goods, apart from having reached the target of 30% this year.

"Based on our data, there has been a significant increase in recycling collection in 2020 compared with 2019.

"For example, the total collection of recycled items in May this year was 307.63 tonnes compared to 163.15 tonnes during the corresponding month last year, ” he told Bernama.

Zulkifli said the positive trend was also significant during implementation of the movement control order (MCO) since last March, attributing it to better awareness on recycling among the public, hence reducing the amount of solid waste that was sent to landfills.

"Despite the closure of other services (such as recycling centres) during the MCO, there has been an increase in the items for recycling, and the driving force for the increase is the public’s role, ” he added.

The positive development also helped to reduce solid waste generation by 40% during the MCO.

"During the conditional MCO period, solid waste generation dropped to 209,207 tonnes and during the recovery MCO, it further dropped to 166,058 tonnes (as of June 30)," he added.

He also attributed the drop to the closure of the commercial and industrial sectors since the MCO was enforced.

Asked whether SWCorp expects the amount of solid waste generation to drop after the recovery MCO, Zulkifli said it would depend on the public’s attitude in maintaining positive practices.

"The government spends almost RM1.9bil a year to collect, manage and clean solid waste. If the positive trend (reduction of solid waste generation) is maintained, it can also save the country's expenses, as well as contribute to environmental sustainability," he added.

Meanwhile, Zulkifli said SWCorp would also expand and enhance the use of solid waste management technology and public cleansing in ensuring high quality service and cost effective management.

"We cannot rely on landfills because there are already too many and saturated landfills in Malaysia, so we need to have a strategy and comprehensive action plan by having facilities to convert solid waste to energy, as well as treatment of building waste and food waste, ” he added.

There are currently four landfills with mini incinerators, namely Langkawi, Pangkor, Cameron Highlands and Tioman Island, he added.

"SWCorp also intends to explore development in the field of food waste treatment using the Anaerobic Digester technology as it is the largest composition of solid waste in Malaysia, at 44.5%," he said.

SWCorp is responsible for regulating solid waste management and public cleansing in the seven states that adopted the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act 2007 (Act 672) - Kedah, Perlis, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Pahang, Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor.

It also regulates the disposal of solid waste at the Tertak Batu kandfill in Terengganu - Bernama