PETALING JAYA, Dec 17 — As Malaysia continues to face an annual rise in domestic waste, Petaling Jaya has stepped forward with a new approach that turns waste into economic opportunity by establishing the PJ Eco Recycling Plaza (PJERP).
The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) initiative is not merely a recycling centre, but also a learning hub, a space for community innovation, and a catalyst for the green economy, now becoming a reference point both locally and abroad.
A modern recycling hub with a more systematic reward system
The council's Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Department director Zain Azly Abdul Rahman said PJERP enables residents to send recyclable materials in a more organised manner through a reward system offered in various forms, depending on the material type.
“The main goal is to boost the recycling rate while encouraging the community to view waste as a new economic resource. The rewards emphasise the satisfaction of contributing and convenience, not merely monetary gain,” he said.
PJERP accepts almost all categories of materials, including:
paper
plastics
metals
clothing
sports equipment
e-waste
bulk waste such as furniture
used cooking oil
food waste
MBPJ also runs Spring Cleaning programmes during festive seasons, including free collection of furniture and electrical items using roll-on/roll-off lorries.
Community and education-focused
Since beginning operations in 2022, PJERP has recorded over 16,000 visitors in 2024, an increase from 11,000 the previous year.
From 2023 to 2024, approximately 222,035kg of materials were collected, comprising:
used clothing at 87,000 kg
paper at 83,000 kg
plastics at 28,647 kg
This is equivalent to 155,424 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂-eq) based on the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation's (MGTC) methodology.
Zain added that the success has also attracted interest from MBPJ’s international partner cities, including China, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia.
“They use this location as a reference point. Many delegations make the plaza a compulsory stop,” he said.
PJERP also offers comprehensive learning modules, including:
a 3R Gallery and interactive exhibitions
used cooking oil upcycling workshops
glass craft workshops
single-use plastics separation workshops
eco brick workshops
Eco Free Market
school visit programmes
A catalyst for the green economy
State executive councillor for public health and the environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin described the transformation of an old commercial building into a sustainability centre as proof that waste is no longer a burden.
“PJERP demonstrates that waste can become an economic resource through repair, reuse, and recycling.
“Data shows collections rising from 46,936 kg (in 2023) to 106,693 kg (in 2024), more than doubling, clearly indicating the green economic potential in Petaling Jaya,” she said.
The initiative also contributes to the 15 per cent domestic recycling target under the First Selangor Plan (RS-1) and eases pressure on landfill sites.
Benefits for the B40 community
Meanwhile, Kampung Tunku state assemblyman Lim Yi Wei said the plaza’s innovation helps restore used furniture for donation to B40 families.
“I once assisted a homeless couple who received a mattress, sofa, and table refurbished at this plaza.
“There are also local artists turning discarded items into accessories, creating economic opportunities for small entrepreneurs,” she said.
Art from discarded materials
One of PJERP's artists, Tan Shiok Keng, also known as Yuri, uses her three decades of experience in decorative arts to transform used paper into unique necklaces.
“I want to give paper a new life. Paper that looks ugly or faded can become beautiful again.
“I hope more people bring discarded paper to the plaza to learn how to turn it into income-generating products, especially homemakers,” she said.
