Residents of Ipoh participated in a community recycling event that allowed them to exchange household recyclables for essential groceries, aiming to promote sustainable waste management practices while providing support to local families. The event, held recently at the Kinta Heights Flats, was organised by Koperasi Alam Hijau Perak Bhd (Kohijau), Ipoh City Watch (ICW), and the Lions Club of Perak Silver State under the “Merdeka Trash4Food” initiative.
Participants brought items such as plastic bottles, paper, cans, cardboard, and used cooking oil, receiving RM30 worth of food staples including biscuits, instant noodles, and moringa tea in return. The program targeted residents of the Kinta Heights Flats, many of whom had limited access to fresh groceries, and aimed to foster a culture of waste segregation and recycling within the community.
Among those taking part was 82-year-old Janakee Palani, a restaurant server who regularly collects recyclables. She emphasized the need for greater public awareness about proper waste segregation, noting that many households still dispose of mixed waste without sorting. “Recycling should become a normal part of everyday life rather than something people do only during campaigns,” Janakee said, stressing the importance of education to improve environmental conditions.
Similarly, 70-year-old retiree Sufiah Taiz shared her habit of collecting mineral water bottles and encouraged others to maintain separate containers at home for recyclables. For some, the initiative also offered small but meaningful financial benefits. Eighty-two-year-old Yong Yit Chin has been gathering cardboard for resale over the past three years, which helps supplement her modest income while contributing to environmental cleanliness.
The event also drew participation from first-time recyclers such as 36-year-old phone shop operator Kamarul Zaman Jahan Khir. He acknowledged the programme's role in raising his awareness about waste disposal and expressed commitment to continuing recycling efforts. Tailor M. Loganayagi, 81, and Tailor M. Sumathi, 48, praised the initiative for combining environmental responsibility with practical support for residents, with Sumathi noting she was already saving recyclables in preparation for future drives.
The event featured demonstrations on creating eco-bricks—plastic bottles packed tightly with non-recyclable plastic waste to serve as reusable building blocks. This technique was highlighted as an innovative method to reduce environmental pollution.
Dr. Richard Ng, president of Ipoh City Watch, reported that the single-day event collected about 50 kilograms of recyclables and distributed approximately 35 grocery coupons. He explained that previous versions of “Trash4Food” offered monetary compensation based on the type and quantity of recyclables, but returns were often minimal. The current exchange system for basic groceries was designed to provide more direct assistance while encouraging environmental stewardship. Ng said the primary goal was to shift public attitudes toward routine recycling by linking household waste management with tangible benefits.
“We want to help people with groceries but also ensure that assistance serves an environmental purpose,” Ng said, underlining the initiative’s dual objective of supporting residents and promoting sustainable practices. Organisers plan to continue and expand such programmes to further integrate recycling into daily life across the community.