KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 — The solid waste separation at source (SAS) programme launched on September 1, 2015, has contributed to the improved national recycling rate, which now stands at 35.38 per cent.
Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said her ministry is optimistic about achieving a 40 per cent national recycling rate by next year through the SAS initiative.
“Since the programme began, there has been an increase in the amount of separated and recycled recyclable materials, totalling 29,123.73 tonnes, compared with the 498 tonnes (before the programme was implemented).
“The number of premises monitored for SAS compliance also rose, with 45 per cent of landed premises and 30 per cent of high-rise premises being monitored,” she said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
She was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Dr Wan Ismail (PH-Bandar Tun Razak) about the effectiveness of the SAS programme.
Aiman Athirah added that 605 violation notices and 441 compound notices were issued during the enforcement period.
To a supplementary question from Dr Wan Azizah on steps to ensure better solid waste management, Aiman Athirah emphasised the need for the existing programme to be widely promoted.
She said while the government has a programme and enforcement measures in place, they are only applicable in the seven states that have signed Act 672.
On September 1, 2015, the government implemented the compulsory separation of waste at source in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Pahang, Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah and Perlis.
— Bernama
