Rubbish, Recycling and Local Councils: Why Some States Mandate Waste Separation and Others Don't

Your rubbish bin is collected twice a week, but have you ever asked who actually collects it — the local council, or another company the council has appointed? And why can your neighbour in the next state be fined for not separating plastic bottles from food waste, while you are not?

The answer depends entirely on which state you live in — because solid waste management in Malaysia is not uniform across the country.

Who actually collects your rubbish

Since household solid waste management was privatised, many areas are no longer serviced by the local council’s own department, but by a concession company appointed by the federal government through the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT):

• Alam Flora Sdn Bhd — central and eastern zone, covering Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Pahang.
• E-Idaman Sdn Bhd — northern zone, covering Kedah and Perlis.

Both concessions must comply with a 2+1-per-week collection schedule: twice a week for organic and non-recyclable residual waste, plus once a week for bulk waste, garden waste and recyclable material. Areas not under these concessions — including many parts of Selangor, Penang, the East Coast states, Sabah and Sarawak — are serviced directly by the local council or a contractor the council itself appoints.

This means complaints about delayed rubbish collection need to be directed to the right place: if your area falls under a federal concession, the official channel is the 1 800 88 7472 hotline or the aduan@sisa.my email — not necessarily straight to the Municipal Council or District Council.

Waste separation at source: an obligation, not a suggestion — but only in some states

Many people assume “separate your rubbish” is just an environmental encouragement. In eight specific states/territories, it is actually a statutory obligation under the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672).

Act 672 has been adopted in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Melaka, Pahang, Kedah and Perlis. In these states, every premise — landed and stratified residences alike — is required to separate solid waste into two groups before putting it out for collection:

Group	Example materials
Recyclable material	Paper, plastic, glass/ceramics, aluminium/steel/metal cans, e-waste and electrical equipment, fabric/shoes/rubber/leather
Residual waste	Food waste, disposable diapers, and other soiled/contaminated waste

The Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp), under KPKT, is the agency that enforces Act 672 in the states involved.

What happens if you don’t separate your waste

In the states enforcing Act 672, failing to separate waste can result in a Notice of Offence and a compound. The compound rate differs by premise type, and increases on repeat offences:

Landed homes (terrace, bungalow, semi-detached):

• First offence: RM50
• Second offence: RM100
• Third offence and subsequent: RM500

Stratified premises (apartments, condominiums — the compound is imposed on the Joint Management Body/JMB):

• First offence: RM100
• Second offence: RM200
• Third offence and subsequent: RM500

Enforcement for landed homes began 1 June 2016, while for stratified premises it began 1 May 2021. If the compound is not settled within the stipulated period, the case can be brought to court for prosecution, with a maximum fine of RM1,000 upon conviction.

What about states without Act 672

Selangor, Penang, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak have not adopted Act 672. This does not mean there are no waste management rules in these states — it means each state’s own local council laws and circulars apply, not the federal Act. Penang, for example, runs its own state-level waste separation policy, separate from the Act 672 framework.

If you move between states, don’t assume the same rules (or compounds) apply — check with your local council or SWCorp’s official website for your state’s status.

Recycling: national performance so far

The national recycling rate — the ratio of solid waste recycled against the total waste generated — rose to 37.9% in 2024, according to SWCorp. KPKT has set a target of 40% by 2025 as part of efforts to improve the country’s waste management. This figure serves as a benchmark for assessing whether the SAS programme and public awareness campaigns are genuinely reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.

Common mistakes

Assuming all areas in Malaysia are required to practise SAS. The statutory obligation only applies in states that have adopted Act 672 — in other states, it may be an encouragement or a state policy with a different level of enforcement.

Complaining directly to the local council when rubbish isn’t collected. If the area is serviced by a federal concession (Alam Flora, E-Idaman), the correct complaint channel is that concession’s hotline or email, not the council counter.

Assuming the compound only applies to landed homeowners. Stratified premises are also subject to the compound — imposed on the JMB, not individual units separately.

Disposing of hazardous waste (batteries, electronics) together with ordinary residual waste. E-waste and hazardous waste fall under the recyclable/to-be-separated category under SAS, not to be mixed with kitchen waste.

What’s next

If you have just moved and are not yet sure who handles rubbish collection in your rental area, that question is closely tied to the process of finding a rental in Malaysia — your landlord or agent can usually confirm the collection schedule and whether the area falls under Act 672. To understand where local councils sit within Malaysia’s overall government structure — including why councillors are appointed rather than elected — see the three tiers of Malaysian government.