Low waste separation awareness hurting Selangor's recycling efforts

Public awareness regarding waste separation in Selangor remains significantly low, with only 20.7 percent of households currently separating recyclables from general waste. KDEB Waste Management (KDEBWM) reports that this lack of participation leads to valuable materials like plastics and paper being lost to landfills. Improving these rates is seen as a critical step for the regional waste management sector to reduce landfill burdens and enhance resource recovery.

Dato' Ramli Mohd Tahir, managing director of KDEB Waste Management (KDEBWM), highlighted that the primary challenge facing Selangor’s recycling initiatives is the practice of mixing all waste types into a single disposal bag. Currently, just 20.7 percent of households separate items such as paper, aluminum cans, and plastics. This behavior results in significant economic and environmental losses, as materials that retain value and could be reused are instead permanently disposed of at landfills.

To address these inefficiencies, KDEBWM has established specific collection schedules for recycling programs across eight local authorities. However, Ramli emphasized that the state government cannot achieve higher recycling rates alone. He called for a collaborative approach involving educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, and religious centers—including mosques, temples, and churches—to integrate recycling into daily community life and increase overall participation.

The managing director further noted that the provision of infrastructure, such as specialized rubbish and recycling bins, is insufficient without a fundamental shift in public attitude. Without a change in mindset, these facilities risk being underutilized or misused as general dumping grounds. Ramli stressed that sustainable waste management in Selangor depends on greater public awareness to ensure that the provided facilities translate into actual environmental benefits and reduced landfill pressure.