Compulsory separation of household solid waste from Jan 1, 2016

KOTA TINGGI: The Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672), which requires the separation of household solid waste due to come into effect in September, will be postponed to Jan 1, 2016.

Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government deputy minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique said the decision was made to increase public awareness on the implementation of the act.

“Within six months, we want to promote and improve public awareness on the importance of separating solid waste,” she told reporters after the ‘Ihya Ramadan’ programme at Al-Kausar Jamek Mosque, Kampung Baru Sungai Telor, near here on Monday.

She said with the implementation of the ruling, it would be compulsory for the owners of premises to separate waste.

“If there are people who said that they don’t get enough information about it, this is not true because we have given ample time.

“In fact, the Solid Waste Corporation (SWCorp) has also been engaging the public in each state to increase people’s awareness about this,” she said.

Halimah said the solid waste would be collected thrice a week and during one of those days, recyclable waste including bed frame, discarded furniture and washing machine would be collected.

She said the ruling was aimed at reducing solid waste collection being sent to dumpsites and to prolong the life span of dumpsites.

An average of 9,000 tonnes of food go to waste during Ramadan alone, she said.

Hence, she sought the cooperation of all parties, especially the state government and religious department to touch on the subject during Ramadan talks.

At the event, Halimah, who is also Tenggara member of Parliament, handed over RM167,000 worth of donation to 27 mosques and 33 surau in the constituency and RM320,000 to upgrade the Al-Kausar Jamek Mosque. - Bernama