Legal action for failing to separate solid waste

KUALA LUMPUR: Legal action will be taken against members of the public who fail to separate household solid waste, effective January, 2016.

Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister, Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said owners of premises would first be reminded of the ruling via offence notices between September and December, this year.

“Full enforcement will begin in January, 2016 involving checking of garbage composition in the garbage bins by enforcement personnel before collection is made or through notification from the concession company,” he said in his written reply to a queston from Teresa Kok (DAPSeputeh) in Parliament yesterday.

Kok wanted to know how the ministry would be implementing the solid waste separation ruling imposed on all premises from this Sept 1.

Abdul Rahman said with the implementation of the ruling, it would be compulsory for the owners of premises to separate leftover waste, recyclable waste, bulk waste and garden waste.

“Leftover waste should be placed in proper containers or garbage bags and put in the garbage bins supplied by the concession company, and the waste will be collected twice a week.

“Recyclable waste, on the other hand, must be separated according to type, with paper waste going into the blue garbage bag, plastic waste into the white garbage bag and other recyclable waste like glass, electronic items and aluminium tins into the green garbage bag.”

He said bulk waste like discarded furniture and electrical appliances should be placed neatly on the road shoulder in front of the house on collection day, while garden waste should be tied up and placed in the waste basket.

Abdul Rahman said the implementation of the separation of household waste ruling also covered flats, apartments and condominiums. - Bernama