PJ Mayor: Solid waste increasing by 20% in big cities each year

KUALA LUMPUR: Solid waste is increasing by 20% in big cities around the country every year due to high density population and rapid development, said Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Mayor Mohd Azizi Mohd Zin.
He said the solid waste in Petaling Jaya alone has increased from 300 tonnes daily in 2012 to 600 tonnes daily this year.
"Due to land constraint, we do not have a landfill in Petaling Jaya. We dispose our waste at a landfill in Jeram," he told media during a press conference after officiating the 'Clean PJ Ambassador' and 'Public Cleaning Contractors Skills Course' at Pullman hotel here today.
He said looking at the solid waste in Petaling Jaya alone, one can visualise what is happening at the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL)," he said.
Mohd Azizi pointed out that the solid waste management is a collective effort between the authorities and the public.
He said the public should first learn to reduce the amount of waste produced besides sorting them out for recycling.
"Sorting waste is of crucial importance as it reduces pollution, saves resources and slows down the fill-up of landfills," he said, adding its important to segregate the garbage into recyclables and non-recyclables.
Meanwhile, MBPJ has elected three ambassadors-under the "Clean PJ" initiative to curb illegal dumping, as well as educating the people in keeping the city clean.
The ambassadors are Mohd Zin Daud from Kampung Sungai Kayu Ara Development and Security Committee, Zulkifli Ahmad (Desa Mentari Block 8
Residents Association) and Zahabu Ibrahim Dollah (Harmoni Apartment Neighbourhood Watch Club.
Azizi said the ambassadors were elected due to a high level of illegal dumping in their respective areas.
He said the ambassadors will be given some allowances and their task is to report to authorities of all illegal dumping activities and other issues that involve the council.