SHAH ALAM, April 18 — Solid waste collection in the state increased by nearly 20 per cent throughout the month of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, driven by the hosting of open house events.
KDEB Waste Management's (KDEBWM) managing director Dato' Ramli Mohd Tahir said the increase was recorded from the beginning of the month (March 20) and continued through to the final week of the festive period.
“Based on the data we have gathered over three weeks and now entering the fourth week, there has been an increase of nearly 15 to 20 per cent,” he told Media Selangor.
With an estimated daily collection of around 7,000 tonnes, a 10 per cent rise could amount to an additional 700 tonnes per day, especially during weekends.
As such, Ramli advised the public to plan their open house events more prudently to reduce food wastage and the use of disposable materials.
“If we invite 100 people, we should plan to cook for 110. We should not invite 100 people and cook for 200, as that would lead to waste.
“When we waste, the food can no longer be consumed and will be thrown away, which is a pity,” he said.
Ramli also encouraged the use of attendance confirmation systems such as WhatsApp, QR codes, or other apps to help organisers plan food quantities more accurately.
He also noted that the disposal of bulky waste such as old furniture has increased, as many people take the opportunity to replace household items during the festive season.
Such a situation poses a challenge for KDEBWM, as it requires additional resources to manage collection and disposal within a short period, while also meeting high public demand.
