Temiang: The Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) today organised an eco-friendly running event, known as the Zero Waste Temiang Run 2026. It was held along the Temiang Bypass (Jalan Temiang) and attracted 1,000 participants.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, SWCorp Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Technical) Zulkifli Tamby Chik stated that the programme combined recreational activities, environmental education, and responsible waste management on a single community platform. He noted that 20 sets of recycling bins were placed at strategic locations along the route to facilitate waste segregation by category, as part of efforts to put the zero-waste concept into practice. Participants were also encouraged to bring reusable water bottles from home to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles.
"We aim to make this an annual statewide event to encourage environmental conservation activities. In the future, we plan to have all participants bring recyclable items to the programme for collection," Zulkifli told Bernama after the event. The programme, officiated by the Negeri Sembilan Local Government Development, Housing, and Non-Muslim Affairs Committee chairman Siow Kong Choon, was also attended by SWCorp Negeri Sembilan director Khairuladha Ab Mutalib.
Zulkifli mentioned that recycling efforts in Negeri Sembilan had shown positive progress, with 1,481 tonnes of recyclable materials collected up to August this year, surpassing the 1,415 tonnes recorded for the whole of 2025. He highlighted that efforts to foster a recycling culture have been strengthened through the establishment of 62 Drive-Thru Recycling Centres (DTRC) statewide, facilitating more organised and systematic disposal of recyclable materials by the public. 'These facilities help ensure that materials retaining value can be repurposed, thereby reducing the volume of waste ending up in landfills,' he said.
Meanwhile, Siow stated that organising such programmes not only added a new dimension to community activities but also created opportunities to promote more responsible waste management practices. 'Measures such as bringing personal beverage bottles, providing waste segregation facilities and using recyclable food serviceware demonstrate that sustainability principles can be translated into practical actions,' Siow added. He expressed hope that this approach would serve as an example for other event organisers, encouraging them to make sustainability a key consideration when planning and conducting events in the state.
In addition, Nurhidayah Amaran, 38, the winner of the 'Keluarga Terceria' category at the event, remarked that the programme not only raised public awareness of the importance of recycling but also encouraged people to incorporate the practice into their daily routines. 'Programmes like this are excellent because they give the community a clearer understanding of the importance of waste segregation and recycling, while also fostering awareness at the family level,' she said.
Housewife Noraishah Abdul Samad, 60, emphasized that such programmes provided health benefits while also serving as a platform to strengthen ties between SWCorp and the local community. Various activities were held during the programme, including free health screenings and massages, as well as educational exhibitions on waste segregation and recycling, aimed at raising public awareness of proper waste management practices.