Kuala lumpur: KDEB Waste Management (KDEBWM) today unveiled the Smart 5-in-1 Reverse Vending Machine (RVM), a pioneering initiative in Malaysia that provides cash incentives for recycling.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Ramli Mohd Tahir, the managing director of KDEBWM, described the machine as the nation's first AI-driven recycling solution. It is designed to process five types of recyclable items: plastic, cardboard, paper, aluminium, and used cooking oil. The machine is equipped with sophisticated sensors capable of identifying each item and alerts the operations centre when it reaches its 750-kilogramme capacity. Additionally, the RVM includes CCTV for monitoring against fraud or vandalism and is operational around the clock.
Ramli emphasized that the initiative is part of KDEBWM's broader commitment to promoting green practices and sustainability across Selangor. The company plans to deploy 100 units of the RVM at strategic locations, including government offices, supermarkets, community halls, and places of worship, by the first quarter of the upcoming year. This announcement was made during a press conference following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between KDEB Services Sdn Bhd and HMA Digital, represented by its chairman Datuk Baharon Talib.
The managing director highlighted that the RVM is a step toward achieving the Selangor First Plan (RS-1) target of a 15 percent recycling rate. He mentioned that such innovations would enhance community involvement in sustainable waste management and propel Selangor towards sustainable development goals. The Smart 5-in-1 RVM aims to reduce reliance on landfills currently overwhelmed with recyclables, offering an alternative that turns waste into a financial opportunity.
Ramli further pointed out that recycling not only minimizes waste but also provides an additional income stream. Achieving a 10 to 20 percent recycling rate could significantly reduce waste sent to landfills or waste-to-energy plants, resulting in cost savings. The RVM allows users to register with their mobile numbers, deposit recyclable items, and receive payments directly into their bank accounts, thereby transforming waste into a valuable resource.
The initial Smart 5-in-1 RVM has been operational since August in Taman Wawasan, Puchong, serving as a pilot project.