Special operations to cope with increasing amount of waste during Aidilfitri

Negeri Sembilan Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Committee chairman, Datuk Jalaluddin Alias said to cope with the increased amount of waste, the company SWM Environment Sdn Bhd (SWM) had set up special operational strategies to ensure a smooth waste collection.

"SWM has divided the operation into three phases: before, during and after the Aidilfitri celebration.

"In this special operation, we will focus on bulky waste and crowded areas like shopping malls and residential areas in the city as well as in villages," he said after launching an operational manual on Strategies for Solid Waste Collection and Public Cleansing in conjunction with Aidilfitri 2015, here, Monday.

Jalaluddin said the first phase which started on July 12 would be on till July 16, focusing on 29 public markets, 46 shopping centres and supermarkets, 81 dumpster locations, 28 flats and apartments and 12 military camps.

The second phase will begin on the first and second day of Aidilfitri and focus on dumpster locations at flats, army camps, resorts and recreational centres and government open houses.

The last phase will be from July 19 to July 25,and will be conducted at the same locations as the second phase.

"The number of workers on duty on the first day of the festival across the state will be 965 and 1,184 on the second day," he said.

Jalaluddin said the SWM Action Team, comprising five employees including the driver will work in each area on the first and second day of Aidilfitri, to deal with emergency issues such as fallen trees and clogged drains.

In JASIN, Melaka manager for SWM, Dr Al'Ashari Othman said the average amount of garbage in the state was expected to increase to between 1,500 tonnes and 1,600 tonnes per day during the festive period.

On a normal day, an average of 1,200 tonnes of garbage is produced in the state.

"We request people to handle waste properly and use the bins provided.... our special task force is willing to resolve public complaints on waste problems as quickly as possible," he told reporters here.

Al'Ashari said the SWM would pay close attention to cleanliness in Melaka city, the focus of tourists, especially during the festive season.