SEGAMAT: About 2,500 to 3,000 tonnes of rubbish are generated each day throughout the state and sent to 13 landfills. Except for Johor Bharu’s two sanitary landfills in Seelong and Tanjung Langsat, the others are just open dumpsites.
Seelong, however, has been identified as one of the best sanitary landfills in the country. The other dumpsites, measuring 15,378ha in the state, are used by 16 local councils but three are expected to be closed within the next two years – in Ladang CEP 1 (Simpang Renggam), Bukit Bakri (Muar) and Jalan Temayoh (Labis).
The state’s garbage collection, disposal and upkeep of drains and cleanliness have been contracted to Southern Waste Management (SWM) since 1997.
The only local council still managing its own rubbish collection was Pasir Gudang while Kulai Municipal Council only uses SWM for garbage collection but not for general cleanliness like drain clearing and grass cutting.
Meanwhile, Yong Peng assemblyman Lim Kee Moi said garbage and waste disposal were among the top grouses from her constituents.
The garbage was now being disposed of at a landfill in Jalan Labis, 30km away but a site has been identified a site in Bukit Payong for future use.
Lim also hoped that the public would recycle more.