KPKT Targets Diverting 53 Pct Waste From Landfills By 2035 Via National Recycling Campaign

KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) – The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) is targeting an increase in the rate of waste diversion from landfills to 53 per cent by 2035 through the implementation of the National Recycling Campaign 2026, which was launched today.

KPKT Minister Nga Kor Ming said the campaign, themed "From Waste to Resources", was a strategic step to strengthen the implementation of the Circular Economy Blueprint for Solid Waste (2025-2035) under the MADANI Government's ongoing efforts to accelerate the country's transition towards a more sustainable circular economy.

He said the initiative aimed to reduce the country's dependence on landfills, as well as ensure that resources that still have economic value could be recovered, processed and reused.

"In a world facing global supply chain uncertainties, waste is no longer something to be thrown away but a resource that needs to be restored.

"Recycling is not just a green practice, but a national economic strategy to ensure resource security and reduce dependence on imported raw materials," he said in a statement today.

To ensure the smooth running of the agenda, Nga said KPKT through the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) would intensify the enforcement of waste segregation at source, particularly involving the commercial, industrial and institutional sectors in stages.

He said SWCorp was also responsible for reporting the progress of implementation and enforcement actions periodically to the ministry to ensure that the effort could be continuously strengthened.

In addition, Nga said KPKT earlier this month had agreed to make it mandatory to provide Recycling Facilities in all shopping malls in stages, as one of the conditions for applying for and renewing business premises licenses under local authorities (PBT).

He said the move was taken to strengthen solid waste management, expand circular economy practices, and make it easier for the public to recycle waste.

"While this implementation process is being implemented, I hope that shopping malls nationwide can encourage food and beverage tenants to separate waste and send recyclable materials to the Recycling Facilities provided," he said.

Nga also stressed that the success of the circular economy agenda requires a whole of nation approach involving close cooperation between the government, industry, product manufacturers, shopping mall operators, community organisations and all Malaysians, and cannot be shouldered by the government alone.

At the event held at WOW Plaza, LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre, Nga also witnessed the launch of the "Sort & Drop Recycle the Cartons" kiosk, the result of a strategic collaboration between Tetra Pak, KPT Recycle and LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre to make it easier for the public to separate and recycle used beverage cartons.

-- BERNAMA