An Alam Flora Buy Back Centre located in Cyberjaya (Photo: Alam Flora)
Cover An Alam Flora Buy Back Centre located in Cyberjaya (Photo: Alam Flora)
An Alam Flora Buy Back Centre located in Cyberjaya (Photo: Alam Flora)

Here are some of our top picks on where you can recycle your garbage responsibly throughout the Klang Valley

Every day, we often discard items impulsively, not realising that many of these could be recycled and repurposed.

According to the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation, Malaysians generate approximately 39,078 tonnes of solid waste daily, which amounts to about 1.17 kg per person. The largest portion of household waste is food, at 30.6 per cent, followed by plastic (21.9 per cent), paper (15.3 per cent), disposable diapers (8.2 per cent), and hazardous household waste (4.2 per cent).

In response, authorities are encouraging the public to adopt the principles of reducing, reusing, and recycling (3R) to diminish the volume of waste directed to landfills, while the government explores more sustainable waste management strategies.

Although separating recyclables from non-recyclables might seem less convenient than the simple act of throwing everything into one bin, taking the time to dispose of recyclable materials properly can significantly impact environmental preservation and contribute to a sustainable future.

Fortunately, the Klang Valley offers numerous recycling centres, from private facilities to municipal offerings, making it easier to find a convenient location to dispose of waste responsibly. Here are a few recommended spots for you to consider.

Read more: Sustainable Sunday: Meet the founders of circular beauty brand, R+B

Alam Flora Buy Back Centers

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An Alam Flora Buy Back Centre located in Cyberjaya (Photo: Alam Flora)
Above An Alam Flora Buy Back Centre located in Cyberjaya (Photo: Alam Flora)
An Alam Flora Buy Back Centre located in Cyberjaya (Photo: Alam Flora)

With locations throughout Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, Alam Flora’s Buy Back Centers purchases recyclable goods from the public before sending them off to its Integrated Recycling Facility (IRF). The facilities accept a wide range of wastes such as newspaper, aluminium, used cooking oil, as well as e-waste such as computers, prints, phones, and more. Some locations even offer drive-thru convenience. 

Each location differs in terms of opening hours and you can find out more here

IPC Recycling & Buy Back Centre

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IPC Recycling & Buy Back Centre (Photo: IPC Shopping Centre)
Above IPC Recycling & Buy Back Centre (Photo: IPC Shopping Centre)
IPC Recycling & Buy Back Centre (Photo: IPC Shopping Centre)

A favourite for those who frequently recycle, IPC Recycling & Buy Back Centre is a well-organised establishment with clear and easy recycling labels for anyone to understand. Whether you're bringing a large load or just an empty plastic bottle, the IPC Recycling & Buy Back Centre welcomes all types of recyclables—including food waste, a rarity among facilities. Leftover chicken bones and vegetable scraps are repurposed into animal feed and fertiliser, giving them a sustainable second life. Conveniently located within the IPC Shopping Centre, you can earn points through the mall's app each time you recycle. This makes it an ideal drop-off point for residents of the surrounding Petaling Jaya suburbs.

The centre is open daily from 8am to 10pm. Find out more here.

See also: Davis Chong of Solarvest champions clean energy

PJ Eco Recycling Plaza

PJ Eco Recycling Plaza is located at Sungai Way Free Trade Industrial Zone and it provides recycling services along with pre-loved items collection service as well as upcycling workshops. The plaza was formerly a building leased out by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) to a supermarket, but they reclaimed it in 2018 and spent several years renovating it. In contrast to many other recycling centres, it accepts all kinds of wastes including plastic bags, polystyrene and even glass which are often deemed “unprofitable”. In addition to accepting waste, the public is also welcome to donate clothing, toys, stationery, and books, as the recycling centre works with various non-profit organisations to give away or sell these items during garage sales at a reduced price. 

Closed on Mondays, the recycling centre is open from 9am to 4.30pm. Find out more here.

Kloth Circularity

Established in 2013, Kloth Circularity is a women-led social enterprise that aspires to be the catalyst of the circular economy of textiles, clothing, and plastics. As of December 2022, the award-winning unit has collected and recycled over 4 million kilograms of textiles and clothing and over 15,000 loose plastic bottles. You can locate their recycling bins around Klang Valley, Putrajaya, Melaka, Johor, and Negeri Sembilan to recycle your unwanted clothing and plastic goods. 

Find out where the locations are here

Tetra Pak Recycle Easy

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Old milk carton (Photo: Getty Images)
Above Old milk carton (Photo: Getty Images)
Old milk carton (Photo: Getty Images)

A common household waste that could otherwise be recycled are cartons and cans from store-bought beverages. Tetra Pak’s Recycle Easy initiative aims to dispose of them in an environmentally-friendly manner. Bring your pile of used beverage cartons to one of over 700 drop-off points/collection centres in Malaysia for recycling and have them recycled. They can be turned into roof sheets and panel boards to support home building and refurbishment projects for the Orang Asli communities, NGOs, and other community infrastructure projects.

Each location differs in terms of opening hours and you can find out more here

Don’t miss: Environment Minister Nik Nazmi on how Malaysia is charting a sustainable course

Thanam Industry

Thanam Industry started as a family-run business more than three decades ago and its services comprise of the entire scope of common recycling services incorporating areas of material recycling, storage and transformation into renewable resources or safe disposal. The company also recovers, collects, sources, processes and recycles ferrous and non-ferrous metals, high-temperature alloys, precious metals and electronic wastes. It claims to recycle about 300-500 scraps of metal a month, and they even offer services for you to get rid of your old car in a proper manner. 

Closed on Sundays, it is open every other day from 8am to 6pm. Find out more here

UrbanR Recycle+

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Vincent, founder of UrbanR Recycle+ (Photo: Facebook/UrbanR Recycle+)
Above Vincent, founder of UrbanR Recycle+ (Photo: Facebook/UrbanR Recycle+)
Vincent, founder of UrbanR Recycle+ (Photo: Facebook/UrbanR Recycle+)

UrbanR Recycle+ is based in Cheras and collects scraps of electronics, electrical devices, and other computer-related items. Larger household items such as refrigerators and washing machines might incur a small collection fee, but you can also opt to drop off the items at their store. Apart from recycling, UrbanR Recycle+ also collects and sells preloved and vintage items. For some slightly faulty electronics, instead of throwing them away, UrbanR Recycle+ would attempt to repair and resell them. 

Find out more information about them here.

Pertubuhan Amal Seri Sinar (PASS)

Established in 2003 as a non-governmental organisation aimed at educating the public about recycling for charity, Pertubuhan Amal Seri Sinar, better known as PASS, has set up over 300 orange-coloured recycle bins located around the Klang Valley for the public to drop off their e-waste and other recyclables. Its green projects are fully endorsed and supported by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and WANGO (World Association of NGO).


You can also find them at 26 mobile locations every weekend—which are updated on their Facebook page—or call them to pick up bulkier items.

ERTH: Electronic Recycling Through Heroes

Recognised by the Department of Environment (Jabatan Alam Sekitar) as a Top Authorised Collection Centre, ERTH works with a government-licensed recycling facility to dispose of e-waste. They take in all varieties of e-waste, including laptops, desktops, phones, tablets, home appliances, and flatscreen TVs. ERTH will also pay you for your contributions and offer free pick-up services. 

Find out more about ERTH and its services here.

Karun Hijau Recycling & Urban Carbon Store

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Handson Tan, founder of Karun Hijau (Photo: Karun Hijau)
Above Handson Tan, founder of Karun Hijau (Photo: Karun Hijau)
Handson Tan, founder of Karun Hijau (Photo: Karun Hijau)

Karun Hijau was founded with the mission to reduce the volume of recyclables destined for landfills or incinerators. This organisation not only recycles e-waste but also accepts pre-loved items, striving to repurpose or reuse them. Collaborating with local artisans, Karun Hijau transforms waste into art, giving discarded items a new lease on life. To make your waste management process hassle-free, you can easily book the PAY2PICK service, which includes disposal, transportation, clearing, and cleaning of your waste. 

Karun Hijau is closed on the weekends and open only on the weekdays from 10am to 5pm. Visit its website for more information.

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Sim Wie Boon
General Manager, Tatler Malaysia, Tatler Malaysia
Tatler Asia

Sim Wie Boon is the general manager of Tatler Malaysia. Previously the print and digital editor, Sim hails from the land of the hornbills, Sarawak. Sim is now based in Kuala Lumpur and brings more than a decade of experience in the media industry as a journalist and broadcast producer.

As a self-proclaimed geriatric millennial, he appreciates the finer things in life, from savouring a sip of single malt whisky to relishing in the deliciousness of char siew. While reminiscing about the indie-sleaze era, Sim now finds solace in the soothing tunes of ambient music, staying active through running and occasionally succumbing to the addictive world of doom scrolling.

Follow him on Instagram or Threads at @simwb