Same Junk, Different Day: SS17’s Recurring Recycling Riddle

BY TEH ENG HOCK

The existence of the Recycling Centre in SS17 has been a simmering issue, even at the proposal stage. On many occasions, in its 20-odd years of existence, the issue boils over, before the heat is turned down. But it’s always simmering, waiting to boil over. Again and again.

The Recycling Centre was set up some time in 2002 or 2003, and its location was objected by the Jawatankuasa Penduduk (JKP) of Zone 1. (The JKP had since been rebranded to MPP – Majlis Perwakilan Penduduk). Despite the objection, MPSJ (before it became MBSJ) continued with its plans to develop a Recycling Centre under the Local Agenda 21 (LA21) programme.

LA21 is a global programme focused on achieving sustainable development at the local level through community involvement and collaboration with local authorities. At that time, the concept of recycling was nascent, and many public campaigns were ongoing to promote and raise awareness on the significance of recycling.

Fast forward to 2025. The majority of Subang Jaya residents are well aware of the importance of the 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. However, this positive development has caused a problem to the Recycling Centre. The Recycling Centre has become overloaded with recyclables as it is operating beyond its capacity.

This led to complaints from residents, who are greeted with the unsightly view of recyclables stockpiled. Mountains of items — it started to resemble a little scrap yard. And this is not an isolated case. Over the years, the operator had received notices from MBSJ, cleaned up their act, and then slack off after several months. And the cycle repeats.

I have been told that the space constraints hamper their efforts to operate the Recycling Centre in an optimal manner. Therefore, several months ago, I wrote to Datuk Bandar on behalf of Rukun Tetangga SS17, proposing that the Recycling Centre be relocated to a larger plot of land which is better suited to current recycling demands.

I am also aware that a single large plot of land may be difficult to attain in Subang Jaya. As an alternative, I proposed that several more recycling centres are built to disperse the load from SS17’s Recycling Centre. At the moment, the Recycling Centre is the only permanent location operating on a daily basis in Zone 1 (the SS areas of Subang Jaya).

There is no indication if my proposal is under consideration. As I understand it, efforts are underway to gazette the SS17 Recycling Centre, which had been operating under the wrong land code for two decades. But I stay cautiously optimistic. Because it takes time to find a single large plot of land, or multiple smaller plots of land. And even if they gazette the SS17 Recycling Centre, they can undo it later on.

In my letter, I also pressed for stern action to be taken on the incumbent Recycling Centre operator if they failed to meet MBSJ guidelines. I also asked for a copy of the guidelines, to be distributed to SS17 residents, in the spirit of transparency. With the guidelines in hand, we will know if the operator is compliant and we can be more specific in the nature of our complaints.

On this end, MBSJ acted swiftly. A team from Department of Environmental Management (JPAS) inspected the Recycling Centre and issued them a 30-day notice to make good. Following the 30 days, JPAS personnel were not satisfied with the level of compliance, and issued a 24-hour eviction notice.

On compassionate grounds, as the operator is a single mother, ADUN Subang Jaya Michelle Ng intervened and requested a three-month extension, which MBSJ obliged. During these three months, I must say that the operator had really cleaned up her act. Many residents, including some who lived next to the centre, commended her efforts.

The three-month extension ended on July 10. I have enquired, and to date, no decision has been made whether to keep the incumbent operator or appoint a new one. For the residents, it is simple. We want an operator who remains in compliance with MBSJ’s guidelines. And MBSJ must constantly monitor and enforce the rules, and not only react when complaints are lodged.

Let’s keep a lid on the pot, and prevent it from boiling over again. Until we can find a way to turn off the heat.