This article was first published in January 2018.
Despite many years have gone by after the compulsory segregation of waste started in KL, many condos and neighbourhoods have seen little real change in facilities for recycling.
If the recycling bins are there, they typically only include separation of glass, plastic and metal. Separating organic matter from the waste seems to be light years away. But what bugs us the most, is how hard it is to find a way to dispose of those tricky items like batteries, light bulbs and electronic waste.
Hence we’ve done a bit of digging, and here is a list of helpful recycling centres and other places to take those pesky items in KL.
E-waste, batteries and other recyclables
Urban R+ Recycle
These guys are recycling superheroes. This social enterprise collects everything from paper and plastic to scrap metal, clothes, used cooking oil, e-waste, empty ink cartridges, laptops and all types of batteries. They separate the functioning items and usable clothes and dispose of the rest. Check the complete list on their FB page here and arrange pick up by Whatsapp: 012-672 2898.
The recycling centre at IPC
A convenient drop off for recyclables, pay-back of metal, aluminium, paper and plastics. There is also a collection point of your out-of-life mercury content light bulbs (also known as CFL – Compact Fluorescent Lamp) and batteries. You can drive into the recycling centre from the back of the building. More info here.
IKEA
At IKEA Mutiara Damansara you can head to the Exchanges & Return counter for out-of-life mercury content light bulbs and batteries. The locations of the recycling bins seems to change depending on the current layout of the display. At the moment the boxes for bulbs, batteries, plastic bottles and other plastic are opposite the customer service counters.
The Hive
Community Recycle for Charity
The Community Recycle for Charity collects unwanted recyclable items. Small items such as paper, books, clothes, bottles, aluminium cans etc. can be dropped at the CRC (Ren Ren) recycle boxes around the city. Large items such as furniture, electrical items etc. can be collected from your house for free. More info here on their FB page. Call 017-3638 100 to arrange a pick up.
Tzu Chi Foundation
The Tzu Chi Foundation receives all recylables. Please do not donate items though that cannot be recycled, like old mattresses or coffee pods. Check their FB page here for more info and for the collection point closest to you.
Battery Man KL
Car batteries seem to suffer in this climate and die regularly. These guys come and pick up the old batteries from your house in a whizz. More info here.
Expired medicines
The government’s Return Your Medicines programme means that you can take expired medicines to public clinics and hospitals. Under the programme, medications that are expired, no longer used, damaged or changed in physical appearance or colour can be disposed of at any pharmacy counter or medicine return box at government hospitals or clinics. Alpro and Caring Pharmacies have got disposal boxes at their stores as well.
Compost, seeds and plants
Free Tree Society
You may know this group for their free plants and seedlings. They accept empty pots and compost, too. More info here on their website.
We have some tips on how to teach the kids about recycling and inspiration for a zero waste life!
9 Responses
Another fantastic round up. I’m grateful that our school provides a system for us to recycle.
That’s a great service and very convenient for staff and parents. Sometimes it is a real struggle to find where to take stuff and we are sure that’s why lot of it gets thrown in the rubbish.
I had been meaning to look this info for ages as the thick layer of dust on my electronics-to-recycle- stack illustrates. Thank you for this post!
any recyclers who accept glass bottles?
Hi! Tzu Chi Foundation accepts glass, as do IPC and Urban R too. Glass should also be collected by the local waste company, so you can ask with your condo management first.
IPC doesn’t accept glass. They refused mine
Thanks for letting us know! We’ve removed glass from the list of items IPC takes.
Does this centres also accept AA size battieries?
Should do!