By Media Selangor Team
SHAH ALAM, June 29 — A recycling initiative in Petaling Jaya more than doubled its target of collecting 500kg of recyclable materials yesterday.
The Recycle and Redeem programme attracted about 350 residents to Pasar Pagi Taman Medan between 7.30 am and 12.30 pm, collecting a total of 1,251kg of recyclable materials.
Held as part of the Sustainable PJ and Happy City Carnival, the initiative allows residents to exchange plastic bottles, drink cans and other designated recyclable items for shopping coupons worth a total of RM16,500.
Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Zahri Samingon said the initiative promotes environmental conservation while providing direct economic benefits to residents and local traders.
"The cooperation of traders is equally important because, without their participation, the coupons could not be redeemed," he told The Star yesterday.
Mohamad Zahri said some residents who learnt about the programme for the first time even returned home to collect recyclable items before coming back to redeem them at the event.
He said participants receive shopping coupons based on the weight of the recyclable materials they bring, with higher weights earning higher-value coupons.
For example, participants receive RM30 in shopping coupons for 500g of recyclable materials, RM40 for 1kg, RM50 for 1.5kg and RM60 for 2kg.
Mohamad Zahri said plastic waste takes a long time to decompose and should be sent to designated recycling facilities instead of being discarded indiscriminately.
"When bottles and other recyclable materials are placed at designated collection points, they can be properly processed.
"We hope that through programmes such as this, we will no longer see plastic bottles scattered along roadsides and in public places," he said.
Mohamad Zahri said the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) is encouraging all residents to adopt environmentally responsible practices as part of efforts to transform Petaling Jaya into a greener, low-carbon city.
The council aims to attract 400 participants at each of the five morning markets across Petaling Jaya, benefiting an estimated 2,000 residents.
The Recycle and Redeem programme is expected to collect about 2,500kg of plastic waste across the city.
The next session will be held at Pasar Pagi SS2 on July 1, followed by Pasar Tani Kota Damansara on October 4.
