Ipoh: A trash-for-food initiative by non-governmental organisation Ipoh City Watch (ICW) has encouraged about 450 residents of Kinta Heights Apartments here to adopt recycling practices.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, ICW president Dr Richard Ng stated that the initiative, introduced in 2021, employs a barter system to educate residents on maintaining a cleaner and tidier living environment while contributing to improved environmental quality. Dr Ng highlighted that plastic mineral water bottles are among the most commonly collected recyclable items, along with cooking oil bottles, cans, paper, and other recyclable materials.

"We have been educating the residents to practise recycling because before initiatives like this were introduced, some residents would simply throw rubbish everywhere, leaving the area dirty and foul-smelling," Dr Ng explained. He further mentioned that regardless of the quantity of recyclable waste brought by residents, they receive essential food items worth RM30 in exchange. This information was shared during the Merdeka Trash For Food Programme at the ICW office at the apartment complex.

Dr Ng noted that ICW organises similar programmes several times a year, especially before festive celebrations, using a coupon system and a rotation schedule for recipients of the food items. Additionally, ICW distributes Jalur Gemilang flags to enliven the National Month celebrations.