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The escalating waste problem in the country requires a more holistic solution and greater recycling efforts Media Statement by John Chung (Petaling Jaya, Monday):  The latest effort by the Housing and Local Government to promote recycling, as a means of tackling the increasingly acute waste problem in the country particularly in the Klang Valley, is to be commended. However, much more needs to be done considering the magnitude of waste that is being churned out daily. Environmentalist, Gurmit Singh had pointed out that before we talk about recycling, we should be talking about reducing, repairing and reusing. Has the government made any efforts to create awareness in these areas apart from its emphasis on recycling? One practical way to reduce the production of waste is to promote moderate living and discourage wastefulness. For instance, there should be more awareness campaigns to educate the public about the importance of buying what they need instead of what they want, especially as our society is increasingly driven by seemingly unbridled materialism and consumerism. Often times, items are conveniently discarded although they can still be used. As for recycling, the government should set a more ambitious figure instead of the 20% recycling rate that it had targeted in 10 years considering that many developed and environmentally-conscious nations had achieved a 50% recycling rate. Besides the existing locations pinpointed as recycling centres such as supermarkets, hypermarkets, recycling facilities should be made available in: petrol stations LRT stations with car parks schools local council offices with car parks Rukun Tetangga properties This would make it more convenient for members of the public to drop off their recyclable items. At the moment, there are not enough collection centres and this discourages the public from recycling, even if they were keen. Hence, the government should draft a plan to make it compulsory for these public places mentioned above to set up recycling points. Another perennial problem that has to be addressed is enforcement. Where there are recycling centres, the items are, more often than not, uncollected by the relevant contractors or local authorities. Some bins are situated in inconvenient spots, such as the bins in One Utama where one has to pay RM1 to go and drop off your recyclable items (even if you're not shopping) and then find that cars are parked right in front of the bins! There is no way one can stop, park and unload. Where the bins will be placed, there should be an area (big enough for two cars) right in front of the bins which must not be obstructed. Cars found parked right in front of these bins should be reported to the relevant authorities, fined or clamped. Although many recycling programmes started by the government have been done in good faith, unfortunately there has been no follow-up. There does not seem to be the political will to press this issue except for the current novel efforts by the Housing and Local Government Ministry. The media too should play a bigger part in encouraging recycling as a way of life. Celebrities who genuinely believe in the cause should be roped in to promote recycling. Ministers themselves should also set examples for their constituency to follow by actively promoting a recycling culture. To further encourage and promote the habit of recycling, the government must appoint contractors who are able to handle the collection of these items promptly and efficiently. They should also provide incentives to retailers, LRT stations and schools, as well as the public. Supermarkets and petrol stations could offer discount coupons for goods. In fact, in September, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting had said that every neighbourhood must have one recycling centre and that the government will allocate RM50,000 for each local council to embark on this project. What has happened since then and are the local councils properly utilising the allocation or sitting on it? The public has a right to know what has been done with that amount of money. If recycling centres have been set up, the relevant authorities must also publish leaflets detailing where these centres are or publish it on their website. It is simply no use publishing leaflets and plastering them in shopping centre information kiosks, where nobody can find them. This sort of information must be very visible and accessible. Clearly, much more has to be done to tackle the problem of increasing waste and to reduce the production of waste in the future. All parties must work hand in hand towards fostering a recycling culture as well as enhance environmental consciousness. (25/11/2002) * John Chung, DAP National Publicity Bureau Assistant Secretary