Ampang Jaya strata schemes join waste separation at source project

A TOTAL of 23 strata schemes in Ampang Jaya, Selangor, are being roped in to take part in a waste separation at source project in an effort to reduce the rubbish sent to landfills.

The pilot project by Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) and Malaysian Recycling Alliance (Marea) also aims to encourage residents to embrace better recycling practices.

Marea, Malaysia’s first voluntary industry-led Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) association, was established to enhance the country’s recycling value chain and circular economy by significantly increasing the collection and recovery of post-consumer packaging.

This Ampang Jaya High-Rise Collection Programme will engage joint management bodies and management committees of participating strata schemes.

MPAJ president Dr Ani Ahmad said this was a voluntary programme which would reduce waste management costs.

“In 2023, MPAJ, through KDEB Waste Management, collected 132,000 tonnes of waste which averaged to about 400 tonnes per day.

“Last year, we spent RM53mil on waste management,” she said during the launch of the programme at Menara MPAJ in Pandan Indah, Selangor.

Marea chief executive officer Roberto Benetello said the initiative in Ampang Jaya would provide doorstep recycling collection services and allow for direct engagement with residents, educating them in carrying out proper waste separation at source.“Malaysia is facing a critical environmental challenge with overflowing landfills and a national recycling rate of only 33% in 2022,” he said.

“Recycling and separation at source is a collective responsibility.

“Collection initiatives like this help us understand recycling challenges at the grassroots.

“This will also help in reaching the national recycling rate target of 40% by 2025.”

He added that the initiative focused on increasing the quantity and quality of recyclables from households.

“Marea will finance and conduct regular collection of recyclables through dedicated vehicles and personnel, as well as partner with reputable Malaysian recyclers,” said Benetello.

This is the second such programme by Marea, with the first carried out in Langkawi last year.

Bumi Waste Management (M) Sdn Bhd has been appointed as the collector for this initiative, employing a buy-back mechanism to compensate strata janitors for their efforts in sorting recyclables.

Meanwhile, GreenSteps Malaysia has been appointed to help empower community leaders in participating high-rise residences to create positive change in recycling behaviour among the grassroots.

Following the launch, there was a series of briefings and workshops for the representatives of participating strata properties.