Believe it or not, since the introduction of recycling bins in our kitchen, we have just been constantly surprise (and appalled) at the mounting recyclable waste accumulated over time. Almost every product we buy off-the-shelf has an element that can be recycled.  Everything from plastic wrappers, plastic bottles or cups, old newspapers, cereal boxes, juice cartons, tin cans – the list seems endless!

As if that’s not enough of a waste shocker, according to statistics from the Department of Environment (DOE), an average Malaysian produces 0.8kg -1.2kg of waste per day. That’s an average of 30kg of waste a month! Statistics also show that the biggest waste contributors come from urban areas. Yes! Urbanites like you and I who thrive happily on convenience and spend blithely without thinking twice.

The horror does not end here. If waste is not separated at disposal point, EVERYTHING (literally everything) ends up in the landfill. No waste collector will care enough to rummage through our garbage and pick out what can be recycled and what can’t. Hence, all of us need to play our part, and it all starts at home.

We’ve tried to minimize our waste by bringing Tupperware containers when ordering take-out, declining plastic bags at the supermarket and refusing to take plastic cutlery instead using our ‘SPORKS’ when on the move. Still there are products we can’t avoid buying despite realizing how laden it is with excessive packaging.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by rubbish (literally), especially when information is sparse even in a thriving city like KL. So here are a few tips to help make recycling easier for you!

How to start? While fancy colour-coded recycling bins would be a nice inclusion at home, a simple box or garbage bag is really all you need to sort and hold your recyclables. We bought ours from IKEA (although not the wisest decision since we’re adding up on plastic purchase – however esthetic elements and durability won us over). You will need at least 3 bins/boxes/containers, for; paper, plastic and aluminum.  Another for glass if necessary.

What to recycle? Virtually all newspapers, magazines, junk mail, cardboard, cereal & juice boxes, glass bottles, plastic wrappers, aluminum and tin cans are recyclable. Remember to flatten boxes and aluminum cans before dumping it into separate bins. As for plastic bottles, remember to remove the cap and rinse the bottle. Both the cap and the bottle go into the same bin but will be sorted again at the recycling center.

Where to bring your recyclables? At certain locales, DBKL, MPPJ or Alam Flora will have designated days to pick up recyclable waste. Ask your neighbours if you are not sure. Another option is to bring your recyclable waste to recycling centers around your area.

Alam Flora has made life simpler for all of us by listing down recycling centers within Klang Valley. It’s best to identify a center near your home or office for added convenience. Click HERE to see the list.

Alternatively, if you feel like doing a good deed, you can send recyclables to a disabled home in SS2, PJ. They collect recyclables to sell in order to earn money to run the home. There are drop-off boxes at their centre.

Lovely Disabled Home
No 1, Jalan SS 2/5, (opposite Taman Bahagia LRT station)
47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
Contact person: K.K Lum (Director) @ 03 78739622 / 013-3409622

One of many things I love about Christmas is setting up the tree. There’s something warm, magical and fuzzy about it. With Christmas jazzies playing at the background, the entire room just evolves into a big sparkle!

Perhaps it was the memories I grew up when setting up the Christmas tree. Either mom or dad would put the tree together, I would string the lights and then the family would gather around each having one or more tinsel or bauble and we go round hanging it on the tree until the deco box is empty. Every year we’d have a family photo in front of the tree with presents laid all over.

This year would be slightly different. It’s our first Christmas in No.8! Terence and I bought a new tree that fitted perfectly into the empty space in our hall. We both decorated the tree with baubles and lots of tinsels then we added some ribbon around it.

What a great starts to an even greater Christmas! This year there will be no hustle and bustle or mad mad mad shopping. It’ll be a laid back kind of celebration with family and close friends. Above all, as everyday is, this is a celebration of Jesus because He really is the Reason for tis season.

The porch is definitely a livelier place with the flowers. It’s great to wake up to a burst of colour and teaming life. Might I add, gardening is actually quite therapeutic.

Don’t worry we did not ignore our slow growing brinjal plant. Here’s the latest update for those of you who have been asking and wondering – still leafy, new greens popping up occassionally, no signs of fruits yet, stems are quite thin. We’re pumping up its growth with fertilizers but being careful not to overdose it! Any tips to make it fruit faster? I’m waiting to make grilled brinjals:)

To end this post, here’s a lil insight into a different side of Terence when his green thumbs are busy:

1. He’s meticulous even when putting fertiliser, remembering how much each plant needs and when to sprinkle.
2. He has greener thumbs than me. That’s why I leave the planting to him, I just water and talk to them.
3. I’m quite sure he talks to them after I leave for work in the morning… cos they are blooming!