Public awareness on proper waste management still unsatisfactory

Public awareness on proper waste management in terms of plastic usage and recycling is still at an unsatisfactory level, said Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Abd Muttalib.

He said many people still think that waste management is the sole responsibility of the government and sanitary workers, when they, too, could play a role, especially in recycling.

The government, he said, in an effort to encourage the people to recycle, has held various awareness campaigns and programmes such as the 'Trash to Cash' which allows the public to convert their unused items as a source of income.

"We hope more people will take advantage of this programme and to facilitate them, we intend to open more counters, like at night market, farmers' market or morning market.

"We expect the traders to also join the programme to address the garbage problem at markets, where many people think that the local authorities (PBT) will come to clear the garbage," he told a media conference after launching a campaign "#JanganGunalah Plastik Sekali Guna" and the Trash To Cash programme at here today.

Also present were Pahang Local Government and Housing Committee chairman Datuk Abd Rahim Muda and Solid Waste And Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) chief executive officer Ismail Mokhtar.

-- BERNAMA