SHAH ALAM, April 18 — KDEB Waste Management (KDEBWM) is evaluating a plan to begin solid waste collection as early as 3am to reduce traffic congestion and lower fuel consumption.
Its managing director Dato' Ramli Mohd Tahir said the initiative could improve operational efficiency while allowing collection trucks to move more smoothly during their routes.
“If collection can start earlier, for example, at 3am, we can avoid congestion and ensure the trucks move more smoothly.
“Previously, collection began around 5am at the depot before the trucks moved to commercial areas, followed by residential neighbourhoods,” he told Media Selangor.
Ramli added that heavy traffic often slows down truck movements and causes frequent stops, which in turn increases diesel usage.
“We are evaluating this trial over one to two months to determine whether the collection schedule should be brought forward by another one or two hours,” he said.
Moreover, Ramli also urged the public to place their rubbish outside at night to facilitate the earlier morning collection schedule and ensure operations run more smoothly and efficiently.
In April last year, he said KDEBWM had to absorb an additional RM4 million in diesel costs each month for its waste collection operations due to ongoing global tensions.
The over 60 per cent increase had pushed monthly operating costs to nearly RM10 million, compared with around RM6 million previously.
Ramli noted that the sharp rise has placed significant pressure on the operations of about 1,300 KDEBWM trucks operating daily, posing challenges to the efficiency of the waste management system and the service’s sustainability.
