A friendlier approach has been taken to educate the public on solid waste segregation before the initiative is made mandatory on June 1, 2016, said SWCorp chief executive officer Datuk Ab Rahim Md Noor.

He said educating the public on the initiative is crucial so that the people will know and understand the importance of the matter which in the long run is also cost effective and reduce transmission of solid wastes to landfills.

"The rationale behind the initiative must be given importance. Before this all solid waste is sent to landfills where 30per centof it can be recycled," he said in an interview with AnalisisAWANI.

He said about 3,000 schools are also involved in this campaign with the setting up of recycling clubs and campaigns in government agencies.

At community level, 3R (Reduce, Recycle, Reuse)programmeshave been launched where recycled items are being turned into souvenirs.

The separation of waste initiative is effective in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Johor, Negri Sembilan, Malacca, Pahang, Perlis and Kedah.

Residents will have to separate their waste according to the category paper, plastic and others.

Those who failed to comply would face a compound of RM50 for the firstoffencebeginning June 1, 2016. Second and third time offender will have to pay RM100 and RM200.

The implementation of the new rule had been formulated under the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007.

In July Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said mandatory separation of household solid waste is capable of reducing the amount of solid waste sent to waste disposal sites by 40%.

He said 33,130 tonnes of solid waste were collected daily in the country and the government spent RM1.4 billion for solid waste management.