Recycled Sculptures Symbolise Environmental Sustainability, Have Commercial Value - SWCorp

SEPANG, March 31 (Bernama) -- Creating sculptures from recycled materials is an innovative way to raise public awareness of sustainable waste management, demonstrating that solid waste can yield high returns when processed creatively.

Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) chief executive officer Khalid Mohamed said the ‘One Sculpture, One Office’ initiative, launched in June 2025, intends to change public perception that solid waste lacks worth, but instead it shows that waste can be converted into valuable art through creative skill.

“We want to prove that waste, often deemed worthless, can be commercialised with high value when creatively processed. This is one of our approaches to encourage the community not to discard these materials,” he said.

He told reporters this after the Sepang Sustainable Sculpture Handover Ceremony here today, which was officiated by Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu.

Using a ‘waste-to-art’ strategy, the SWCorp initiative integrates public art with environmental education to beautify the landscape and decrease reliance on landfills.

The initiative has since installed 47 recycled sculptures across nine states in six months. This reflects SWCorp’s commitment to the 5R practices: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover.

Khalid said the primary materials used in the construction of the 47 sculptures included scrap metal, aluminium, tyres, rubber, old bicycle components and plastics.

These materials were processed and reorganised into public sculptures, including replicas of aeroplanes and sailing boats, as well as representations of flora and fauna.

Khalid said the project used a collaborative approach involving various groups, including local communities and authorities (PBT).

“We funded costs, ranging from RM5,000 to RM10,000 per sculpture, while the PBT provided suitable locations. Our observations found that many people visited the sites, took photos and shared them on social media,” he said.

SWCorp’s efforts recently received ASEAN and ASIA recognition for the ‘Largest Single-Programme Multi-State Outdoor Recycled Sculpture Installation by a Government Agency’, involving the installation of 45 sculptures in eight states, within a six-month period.

To complement the initiative, SWCorp installed centralised bins in Bagan Lalang to boost waste management efficiency and maintain a cleaner, safer environment for the community and visitors.

Meanwhile, Aiman Athirah said the sculptures serve as effective visual symbols to educate the public on the importance of environmental preservation and sustainability.

“For instance, the selection of an aeroplane sculpture is significant as it embodies Sepang’s identity as Malaysia’s main gateway via Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

“Interestingly, using recycled materials for this sculpture illustrates that solid waste is also capable of ‘flying high’ to become something valuable when managed creatively,” she said.

In addition to the aeroplane, a boat sculpture was installed at Golden Palm Tree Resort & Spa, crafted from scrap iron, drum barrels, recycled boards, and plastic parts.

-- BERNAMA