FOR a cleaner environment, Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran has launched the “Cash 4 Trash” programme in his seat in Petaling Jaya.

He said the initiative is to encourage recycling.

“I’m urging people to recycle. The ultimate objective is to reduce the trash going to the landfills,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Rajiv said the aim was to educate via cash incentives.

Cash 4 Trash commenced in October last year. It is open every second and fourth Saturday of the month at Pangsapuri Damansara Bistari in Section 19, PJ.

Residents can earn money by selling their rubbish is 40sen per kg. Metal fetches 60 sen per kg, paper (30 sen per kg), boxes (40 sen per kg), tin/aluminium (RM4/kg) and battery (RM2/kg).

Since its inception, he said, the programme has collected more than 100kg of recyclable items each Saturday.

“There is a steady stream of people coming and there is no fixed weightage for the items. The most we have seen is 20kg.

“We have also kept the same location so that people are familiar with the site.”

He said that the programme was open to everyone.

“The cash for trash is open to anyone who is willing to come here.  We will weigh their trash and pay them.”

Rajiv said he whas partnered with a recycling contractor who collects the items.

“He is the one paying for all the collected items. So we are not using government money to pay for the items.” – April 25, 2022.