By Fasiha Khushiri
KUCHING: To date, about 12,500kg of recyclables have been collected while the participation rate currently stands at about 33 per cent.
The project, launched by Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) and Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd at Kampung Tunku and Kampung Malaysia Jaya, has yielded encouraging results as it approaches the end of its first phase.
It is part of the long-term plan to introduce a dedicated single-stream recycling collection system in areas under its jurisdiction while promoting waste minimisation and sustainable living among city folk, further boosting the recycling rate in Kuching City.
“We are pleased to note that the project’s quarterly reviews have indicated encouraging results,” said DBKU mayor Datuk Junaidi Reduan.
“Since its introduction, residents from the two areas have been consistently separating their waste at home and putting them into the recycling bins.
“This is a good indication and the residents’ commitment has been exemplary. I must commend them for being active and supportive of the project. Given the encouraging results and positive feedback from the residents, we have decided to extend the project for another year starting November,” said Junaidi.
Apart from the twice-a-month collection, the pilot project also included community engagement activities that helped promote environmental awareness, recycling practices and sustainable living among residents.
Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd group chief executive officer Stephen Chin agreed that community participation was crucial in ensuring the successful implementation of such projects.
“Community participation is always key in determining the success of any recycling collection system in any part of the world, especially one involving a door-to-door collection system.
“This project has been well-received by the target community, leading to smooth operations of the collection services. We believe as these best practices continue, we are a step closer towards creating a reliable and sustainable recycling system for the community.”
The recycling collection is an additional but separate service from the normal household waste collection, which is still done twice-weekly following the areas’ normal schedule.
At the start of the project, residents were provided with a second bin for the collection of used plastic, paper, aluminium, cardboard and other recyclables.
An awareness video and leaflets on recycling guide were also distributed to help the residents identify and separate their waste properly.
