WITH the activation of the mandatory domestic waste separation ruling last Tuesday in several states, including in Putrajaya, it has naturally split the people into three groups.
The first are the sceptics. They are the people who immediately expect the programme to fail. They lament that it is near impossible to make it happen here in Malaysia.
On the logistics aspect, they assume that it would be an enormous task especially when about two million households, including those in the federal administrative capital, began the noble act of separating their household waste.
Some also expressed concern that more plastic bags would be used under this scheme, thus adding to environmental problems. Perhaps one can consider using biodegradable plastic bags — a tad pricey — but good for the environment in the long run. They also lamented about having three separate bins as they would have no space to store these bins based on the designs of most landed properties. House owners would have to keep track of what rubbish will be collected on a particular day so that they will put out the right bin outside the gate.
In this respect, it is wise to have the same designated days nationwide for collection of the different types of garbage. It will help check any confusion, especially if one frequently travels between states.
Nonetheless, the sceptics’ concerns should be viewed as constructive criticism as there are just too many instances where the execution of any new ruling runs into problems. At the same time, the sceptics should look at things from the glass half-full instead of the glass half-empty perspective.
Rather than totally snub the idea of the waste separation scheme, everyone should give it a try. Who knows, perhaps one day it will become second nature for all Malaysians. And, we should also ask ourselves when will we ever be ready to be a recycle-friendly nation, if the waste separation scheme falls by the wayside? The pragmatic individual will acknowledge that hiccups and weaknesses will occur at the initial stage of implementation. These stumbling blocks, however, are a learning curve for a nation as young as ours.
The second group comprises the followers. They are those who will dutifully comply with the ruling without much fuss. They will separate their waste accordingly and make no issue even if the process may seem tedious and are forced to fork out a little more to buy extra garbage bags. For this group of consumers, the authorities must ensure there is enough information available for them to practise proper segregation of domestic waste.
They should capitalise on the availability of social media platforms which teach them the right methods of waste segregation, complete with short video clips or even documentaries on recycling. In other words, the authorities should make it easy for the public to comply with the new domestic waste segregation ruling.
The third group consists of the crusaders or the hardcore supporters of the recycling programmes. They will not just comply with the ruling but will go out of their way to preach the importance of recycling and saving the environment to their neighbours and friends.
Malaysia needs more of these recycling “ambassadors” as it strives to become a developed nation where the majority of its population realises that saving the environment and practising environmentally friendly habits should begin from the home — and the separation of domestic waste would be a good start.
Those in authority should also lead by example by ensuring that they practise what they preach.
Happy recycling everyone!.
The writer is ‘NST’ Putrajaya bureau chief