KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 (Bernama) -- About 40,000 tonnes of domestic waste were collected in the federal capital up to the 20th day of Ramadan this year, an increase from 32,000 tonnes last year. 

Alam Flora Sdn Bhd chief executive officer, Datuk Mohd Zain Hassan in a statement today said this year's collection was highest in four years since 2019 and was expected with the Ramadan bazaars operating as usual and receiving more visitors.

He added that 27,000 tonnes of domestic waste were collected in 2020 and 33,000 tonnes in 2019.

Mohd Zain said unfinished and untouched food as well as food wrappers and single-use plastic bags were among the contributors to the increase of solid waste in Kuala Lumpur this year.

He said the generating of solid waste was expected to increase until the first week of Aidilfitri as most sectors had been allowed to operate.

“Although the increase is worrying, Alam Flora always ensures that the domestic waste collections were done as scheduled and public cleansing maintained with the operations going on as usual even on the first day of Aidilfitri.

"The cooperation of all parties is needed in maintaining cleanliness in the their respective areas, for example, the waste for recycling should be separated, kept in suitable plastic bags that are tied securely and placed near the garbage bins, in line with the government’s programme of waste separation from the source,” he said.

Members of the public can call the Alam Flora Customer Service Centre at 1-800-88-7472 which operates daily from 8 am to 8 pm to share information on the level of cleanliness in their respective areas for follow-up action to be taken. 

-- BERNAMA