PPR recycling fosters love for environment
KUALA LUMPUR: After putting up with the stench of indiscriminate rubbish dumping for some time, about 200 residents of Wangsa Sari People's Housing Project (PPR) in Wangsa Maju here began taking things into their own hands by practising solid waste separation to instill the recycling culture among members of the community.
The PPR Recycling Project head, Ismail Mohamad, 45, said initially when the project began in December last year, 500 kilogrammes (kg) of recyclable items were received from the residents and following the encouraging response the project is now a weekly routine.
“It started when the problem got to the ears of Persatuan Sosio Ekonomi Alam Sekitar (PERSEAS) who advised us to practise waste separation,” he told Bernama recently.
He said the project was effective in educating the younger generation on the importance of recycling and sustainable environment when youths started joining in the project.
“All efforts were carried voluntarily and they usually move from door to door to collect dry plastic and glass bottles especially from senior citizens to be separated and sent to the collection centre,” he said.
Mohd Firdaus Luqman Bahrin, 14, admitted the project has opened his eyes on the importance of recycling and inculcate a responsible attitude on the environment.
“I am happy to join the programme as it not only help instill self-discipline but also change the way of life apart from receiving side income from the sales of the items,” said the student Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Zon R1 Wangsa Maju.
Echoing the view was another youth, Nur Aina Najiha Ismail, 15, who felt the project has helped to clean up the housing project environment and promote community spirit among residents.
The Wangsa Sari PPR Recycling Project is an extension of the Kepong Town PPR which would be introduced in stages to nine parliamentary constituencies in Kuala Lumpur.
It was conducted by Persatuan Lestari Alam Malaysia (MyNature) and PERSEAS with the cooperation of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Local Agenda 21 Kuala Lumpur as well as Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp).
Meanwhile, MyNature president Rashdan Rashid said the engagement of people is the main challenge to enforcers of recycling at the premises since it came into effect on Sept 1 2015 via the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 or Act 672.
"We choose the PPR due to the high density of residents and the large volume of waste generated,” he said and added that the project began in Kepong Town in 2018 involving 96 children and youths aged 10 to 19.