Recycling goes high-tech - Star Metro Perak

28 Nov 2016

Zambry (centre) doing his part to keep the environment clean during the launching of the Kohijau-iCycle recycling reward point system at the Taiping Lake Gardens. With him are (from left) Ng, Zamby’s political secretary Datuk Ahmad Shalimin Ahmad Shaffie, state financial officer Datuk Mohd Ghazali Jalal, Taiping Municipal Council president Datuk Abdul Rahim Md Ariff and state executive councillors Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohd Radzi (partially hidden, blue helmet) and Datuk Samsudin Abu Hassan.

THE Kohijau-iCycle recycling reward point system by Koperasi Alam Hijau Perak Bhd (Kohijau) has been extended to Taiping.

The programme, which allows the people to embrace the 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) culture, was launched by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir at the Taiping Lake Gardens during the Perak Government Leaders’ Retreat in Taiping on Wednesday.

Kohijau chairman Dr Richard Ng said since its launch on Oct 15, over 300 people had registered as members and contributed over 4,000kg of recyclables.

“Currently, there are seven Kohijau-iCycle recycling bins located in Jelapang Tambahan, SMK Raja Chulan, Loyal Garden Residences on Jalan Sultan Nazrin Shah, Desa Tambun Indah, and GP Food Court Buntong in Ipoh; Kuala Sepetang and now in Taiping.

“More locations will be set up soon for the convenience of members,” he said.

Taking the current population of Perak at 2.4 million, Ng said it was estimated that a total of 16,000 tonnes of garbage was being generated each month.

“If nothing is done by the year 2020, Perak will have a total of 768,000 tonnes of garbage ending up in its landfills, illegal dumpsites or the ocean,” he added.

Ng said Kohijau-iCycle members were expected to help increase the recycling rate in the state from the current 5% to at least 30% by 2020.

“In the near future, once Kohijau introduces organic waste composting, the recycling rate in some communities should be as high as 60%,” he added.

Those keen to participate in the recycling reward point system must first register via http://icycle-global.com – registration is open to any interested individual without any charge.

“Upon successful registration, members will be provided with bar code stickers.

“They can then collect their recyclables and place them in either a bag or box. The bar code sticker is then stuck to the bag or box before it is dropped into the designated Kohijau-iCycle recycling bins.

“The recyclables will then be collected, scanned and updated into the member’s respective accounts.

“The points can be exchanged for cash or coupons to buy household goods from Tesco or Aeon. They can also choose to donate to charitable organisations,” Ng explained.

Ng added that a portion of the profits generated through Kohijau would be ploughed back to the society including non-governmental organisations to help keep the environment clean.