Petaling Jaya Recycling Expo 2008

The 4th PJ Recycling Expo concluded on 12 November 2008 at the Jaya 33 Complex. The event with the participation of 15 organisations and agencies was held in conjunction with the National Recycling Day celebration. Various activities to raise awareness, to educate and to enhance the knowledge and skills of public on 3R were organised. YB Elizabeth Wong, the Selangor State Executive Council Member for Environment officially graced the occasion a day earlier.

This is the first time the Expo was held in a complex, a trial to promote 3R concept to the working groups after the event was held at Menara MBPJ and Sri Kelana School for the past three years. With the change of venue, the visitors were also different. This year we saw handful of office workers dropped by to visit the booths and to make enquiries on recycling especially the handicraft made of recyclable items. The change is hopefully widening the target group for 3R, deviated from the normal residents and school children. This is critical for making 3R movement an inclusive action and norm.

My staff and myself have also learned how to put up a more presentable and professional exhibition in the commercial complex. We have to adhere to rules set up by the management. For example, to lay carpet on top of the exhibition area, to make preparation after the business hour so as not to disturb the existing outlets and etc. The stringent requirements compel us to have greater coordination and tolerance amongst departments and exhibitors. Everyone has to commit and work closely for staging the show within 24 hours. I was there to supervise until 3am next morning. I think it is a good learning process for participatory planning. Ensuring an effective participation process is easy said than done. While we can notify people coming for a consultation session, the outcome might not be fruitful and useful if proper preparation taking into consideration the agenda of various parties are not met.

This year also saw the participation of DANIDA-SWMC, the consultant advising Government of Malaysia on the solid waste management and corporatization. The exhibitor showed some good community initiatives for 3R. These include the recycling bank for school children in Penang, waste composting machine in Subang Jaya, household composting in Petaling Jaya etc. On top of that, few private entities were also invited to participate. Two interesting booths were, one showcased the rostrum made from TetraPak beverage cartons and another one on the handbag made from the aluminium can. It truly portraits that waste is wealth in which some believe that Nothing is Waste, Everything is Money. I start to believe it.

A month-long computer recycling campaign courtesy of Dell and concluded with the lucky draw on the last day of Expo was organised. It is a strategy to encourage e-waste recycling. Apart from the RM0.40 per kg payment, for every 2 kg, a lucky draw coupon was given. A total of 10 prizes worth RM10,000 was offered. You guess, who was the luckiest one? I truly took home a Dell laptop. Now, you see why i have started to believe it? Ha..Ha...