Johor bahru: A total of 3.788 million kilogrammes (kg) of recyclable materials have been collected through the KITARecycle programme in Johor since 2020, involving nearly 80,000 registered users as of May this year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, SWM Environment Corporate General Manager Mohd Norlisam Mohd Nordin stated that paper-based materials accounted for the largest volume collected under the reward-based recycling programme, totalling 2.359 million kg. Collections of plastic waste reached 397,634 kg, scrap metal amounted to 385,161 kg, and glass food containers and bottles contributed 339,960 kg. These statistics were shared at the opening of the Pasir Gudang Drive-Thru Recycling Centre (DTRC) at Taman Bandar Bukit Layang-Layang.

Mohd Norlisam emphasized that the programme's success was driven by continuous recycling initiatives carried out by 3R Troopers in collaboration with local authorities and corporate partners. These initiatives include mobile recycling counters, drive-thru collection services, and the Iskandar Malaysia Ecolife Challenge (IMELC) sustainability education programme. He highlighted that SWM Environment, along with local councils and corporate partners, has established 39 KITARecycle facilities across Johor.

Discussing the new facility, Mohd Norlisam explained that the Pasir Gudang DTRC consists of two repurposed shipping containers equipped with six collection slots for recyclable materials, including paper, beverage cartons, plastic bottles, and glass bottles. The centre is also fitted with a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system to ensure security. He further mentioned that each KITARecycle user is required to separate recyclable items according to category and label each package with their KITARecycle account number before depositing it into the designated collection slot.