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Trash Segregation Implemented on 1st June 2016

The trash segregation ruling was implemented on 1st June 2016, but how many people actually knows about it? There was much confusion over it because of insufficient information from the government. For example, did you know that the ruling is only implemented in 7 regions, namely Johor, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perlis, Kedah, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya? That, and some regions even enjoy different benefits.


The How and Why of ‘Why Waste Separation Came About’

In the first place, it should first be understood why this move was implemented. It was not just some fancy move that the government decided to take to follow their international counterparts, nor was it a rash decision made in the space of a few short weeks. It was instead a decision made based on much more serious problems.

The issue of trash segregation and recycling of rubbish was first brought up when the government realised that the amount of trash year-on-year is increasing, and that there will soon be not enough landfills to fit all the rubbish. In fact, as of the year 2016, the available landfills were already reaching their maximum capacity.

The government’s options were limited - increase the number of landfills which would only be a temporary fix and would further pollute the environment, or take the more painful but infinitely more practical long term approach - recycling rubbish.

The first move that the government implemented was ‘no plastic bags’ on weekends when buyers went shopping for groceries, but this move did not solve anything as plastic bags can still be purchased during weekends while shopping for a mere RM0.20 when cashing out. Although recyclable bags did become a fad for a short while, it still did not reduce the usage of plastic significantly. Hence more heavy measures were taken - and into play came the waste separation move.


The Details Down & Dirty

The trash segregation exercise was originally supposed to begin in September 2015, but was only made official on 1st June 2016. In lieu of the exercise, the government tried to inform the public as best as they could, but unfortunately the news did not have as wide a reach as they wished. So this article here will clear up some of those long lingering doubts.


1. Use of coloured plastic bags
One of the biggest confusions in the trash separation exercise is whether different coloured plastic bags need to be used. The answer is: No. It is not necessary to separate your trash by different coloured plastic bags. But if you wish to separate them by plastic bag colour, then they should be separated as such:

- Plastic recyclables: Blue plastic bag
- Paper recyclables: White plastic bag
- Other recyclables: Green plastic bag
- Kitchen waste: Black plastic bag


2. The second biggest question that was asked by the public, was into what categories should the trash be separated into? Well, first things first. The rubbish should be separated in the house itself, in 4 different bins. They should be separated into:

- Paper
- Plastic
- Food waste (decomposable)
- Others (rubber, aluminium, metal, etc)


3. Where? This brings us to separating the rubbish outside the house. While it may be more convenient for most people to separate the trash in different bins within the house itself, it is definitely not necessary to separate them in different bins outside the house. The bag of decomposable food waste should go into the rubbish bin to avoid scavenging animals from getting at them and messing the place up, and the rest of the bagged recyclable waste is supposed to be placed outside and beside the bin.

After the rubbish is collected, they will be separated into the different piles at the dump site itself. What the workers will do is to open the plastic bags, check what is inside and put them into their respective pile. Separating them by plastic bag colours will definitely make their job easier, but again, it is not necessary.


This is basically the entire process of the trash separation program. But here comes the little something that most people do not know.

1. Residents of Perlis will enjoy special privileges. If their citizens follow the waste separation regime carefully, their government will actually pay them for their recyclable waste based on market price. They will not be paid in cash, but the money will instead be credited into an E-Idaman My Kasih card which can be used to purchase goods in several hypermarkets. The citizens will however have an alternate choice, of donating the money to the less fortunate such as orphanages.

2. Amongst the strictest states to have implement this law is Johor. Instead of implementing the waste separation exercise on 1st June 2016, they launched it in September 2015; and as of June 2016, they had issued 44,000 warnings to offenders.


The Penalties

The penalties for not participating in this new regime differs for landed properties and high rises. For landed properties, offenders will be charged RM50 for their first offence, RM100 for the second offence and RM500 for the third offence. Every time thereafter, the fine will be RM1,000.

For high rises, the penalties are higher. For the first offence, the high rise management will be charged RM100, the second offence at RM200 and the third at RM500. The maximum penalty to be charged thereafter also stands at RM1,000.


The Public Census

There are of course many complains about this new regime, with not the least being that the majority of the citizens were unaware. There are also some who complain that the entire regime is a self-defeating exercise, as plastic bags are still being used to pack up and dispose of rubbish.

Nevertheless, after the many hiccups and complaints, a large majority of the public have voiced their agreement to this move. They advocate the government’s effort to save the environment, and it is foreseen that while only 7 regions are involved in this exercise now, the move will soon expand to include the entire Malaysia.

So for those who live in states that are not involved in the exercise yet but wish to start doing their part in saving Earth, can begin separating their trash now. Here is to a greener Earth!


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sometimes it is not that I dont want to separate rubbish but sometimes those rubbish are hard to separate..... 

for instance, you bought some chicken from the supermarket... dont tell me you are gonna wash the plastic bag and put the plastic in the plastic bin... not all rubbish can be separated ... 

if you ever visit taiwan... most of them normally do not throw the toilet paper into the toilet bowl, instead they will have one bin next to your sitting bowl or squatting bowl whereby you normally throw your toilet paper that you had used to wipe your "poo poo" into the bin... to me yes the initiative is good .... but on the other hand... just imagine when you are squatting next to a bin full of toilet paper with other people "poo poo" whereby the cleaning lady can only clean 30 minutes once... freaking disgusting...

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Ronald, if you think the plastic bag cannot be reused again, I guess it's ok to throwing into the waste bin instead of recycle bin. 

As for the throwing used toilet paper into a separate bin, I have to agree that's not hygienically right. 

Kate chew small

Has this initiative started already? I didn't notice any household doing this though??? Has this been enforced by the authority already? 

Jonathan de ho half body small

So far its not practice in my condo. i thought condo also will need to follow the rules. Buts its really good that we start this move for a better and cleaner earth

Own dp small

It will take a long time until everyone start doing it. Still takes time to cope with it. The system is implemented but not the services! Do you provide the bins for the household for segregation? Do you acknowledge everyone for a period of time and making sure everyone comply to it?

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As I know for implement trash segregation for our country people still need to improve and learn from other country like Japan and Germany. How to make a country clean and humanity for manage our rubbish ? Government not just promote, but create effective policy and people have same goal to proceed policy. 

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Before the regulation implement, my apartment cleaners always split the recyclable material from the rubbish bin, and sold it later. No sure the "money" go back to management funds or as a allowance for them. However, it is good they willing to do extra works, earn some money at the same time also can save the environment :) 

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@jdh For now its only implemented in certain states like Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Perlis and Pahang. Selangor not affected yet.

Jonathan de ho half body small

IC. Didnt really follow up this news so not too sure about it haha

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Good initiative, have to start somewhere to make the earth a better place for all of us and our future generations

Jonathan de ho half body small

Definitely agree. Must start with somewhere from ourselves. My house practice using recycle paper for sketching, kids drawing and writing activities. Dont waste paper

Kate chew small

Hmmm really I still don't see anyone making effort to follow this regulation though. Is this a common practice in other countries? Even if yes also in 1st world countries I guess. Not sure how other countries control and enforce it. Perhaps also to do with the citizen's mentality and sense of responsibility. 

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i do recycle news paper, bottle and plastic too... also computer parts and mobile phone parts and battery

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My friend in NZ told me they have to pay for their rubbish, they weigh the rubbish, the heavier it is, the more expensive it is. It makes ppl become more responsible about what they throw.

James bond craig junio2006 small

Well, overall I think it's a good initiative. Save the planet! :)

Zara, I've never heard of this before, having to pay for your rubbish is somewhat ridiculous though. That might also encourage people to simply abandon their rubbish somewhere else, just so they don't have to pay for it.

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We used to have recycling lorries plying our Taman to collect Old Newspaper, Magazine and other recyclable items.However, we do not actually earn lots by actually selling the recyclable garbage.

Agree that heftier fines and enforcement will definitely raise the awareness for this waste recycling to work in the long run. Incentives similar to what Perlis is giving out works well as a token of appreciation ( E-Idaman My Kasih card ) for residents to separate their recyclable waste. This should be implemented nationwide!

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@james_bob but western people mentality unlike us, they wont simply throw just because paying is imposed, instead they take care about their rubbish content now. Haha unlike us.

James bond craig junio2006 small

Not entirely. Just like our country, every other countries they have different 'level' of citizens too. There will be 'atas' ones, middle class and the lower class. The lower class ones will still do such things. That's why street cleaners are still needed in other 1st world countries and there's also still vandalism. Probably not as bad as ours because their enforcement is more strict, but there still are people like that everywhere you go. 

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This is exactly first world country but third world mentality. 

But everywhere has this situation lah, see how bad is it only, I am sure Malaysia overall mentality on this issue is worse. 

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Malaysia boleh ma :P

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@admin_ps thanks for sharing