Aida Nadhirah

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Social

malaysia

singapore

kuala lumpur

sweden

dbkl

celebration

newyearseve

litter

recycling

waste management

germany

norway

In the wake of the New Year's celebrations, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has taken to social media to express its disappointment over the rampant littering that occurred during the festivities. In a scathing Facebook post, DBKL called out partygoers for their lack of responsibility, slamming what they deemed as a &lsquo;3rd world mentality mindset&rsquo; when it comes to waste disposal.
DBKL's Facebook Post: A Stark Call For Change
<iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fdbkl2u%2Fposts%2Fpfbid06rvdp7VhvAG9AKobxw1PR7ZYkqSQzHv1Grac76BMi765SuGc4drr1vWFseE7UfYrl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="728" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
In a now-viral Facebook post, DBKL did not mince words in expressing its dissatisfaction with the state of public spaces post-New Year's celebrations. The post highlighted the extensive litter left behind, ranging from party decorations to plastic bottles and food wrappers. DBKL emphasized the need for a shift in mindset, condemning the irresponsible behaviour that tarnished the city's image.
Summarizing the post, "It is disheartening to witness the aftermath of the New Year's celebrations. The sheer disregard for cleanliness and the blatant littering in public spaces reflect a mindset that is regrettably reminiscent of a 3rd world mentality. We must do better," was posted by the admin.&nbsp;
The local council stressed that celebrations should not come at the expense of the city's cleanliness and encouraged residents to participate actively in keeping public spaces litter-free rather than expecting the authorities to clean it all up. They also emphasized that keeping the city clean and pristine is a collaborative effort &ndash; it takes two to tango, they said.
A Divided Reaction Among Netizens
The DBKL Facebook post garnered swift and diverse reactions from netizens. While some echoed the sentiment of the local council, acknowledging the need for responsible behaviour, others retorted, pointing fingers at the immigrants causing the littering.
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/a7fd433a7f0201d41ee73204dfe322980de88df9e26189e05fa1029c88b20ee7" alt="" width="359" height="428" />
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/e3402e136facaf1579711d55828395f8e0890ca8f981755de29e29cf386607af" alt="" width="350" height="461" />
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/da8d248631c6ad5a61406a6556788a45aedd16ffd6f9ef5276c59a61a7f10f66" alt="" width="473" height="265" /> Some of the comments under the post
The debate in the comment section reflected the ongoing discourse between those advocating for stricter civic responsibility and those asserting that immigrants are held accountable for the displeasing outcome.
No matter who&rsquo;s at fault, this shouldn&rsquo;t be happening now that we&rsquo;re in 2024. So much for the new year, new me resolution, right? Malaysians or not, littering should never be anyone&rsquo;s habit.&nbsp;
&nbsp;Lessons From Around The Globe
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/3790944e4e86c7922fe6e5642a834659a98e83c8b554d29bc5f139f5630c2905" alt="" width="444" height="447" /> Germany recycling bins
As discussions unfolded, netizens began sharing examples of countries globally that have successfully tackled the issue of littering. Germany, for instance, is renowned for its robust recycling system, where citizens diligently separate their waste into various categories for recycling.&nbsp;
For the Germans, recycling is their way of life hence, finding litter in their streets is very uncommon. They adopted a comprehensive recycling system &ndash; setting the bar high for other countries to follow suit. 
The Green Dot program encourages producers to adopt eco-friendly packaging, resulting in landfilling being minimized and incineration being efficient, with the resulting energy used for heating. Germany's commitment to a circular economy sets a global standard for responsible waste management.
Meanwhile, Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Norway excel in efficient waste management. They prioritize recycling and have advanced waste-to-energy programs where non-recyclable waste is incinerated to generate energy. Sweden even imports waste to fuel its energy plants. Strict regulations, public awareness, and education contribute to citizens' active participation in recycling.&nbsp;
These initiatives showcase a commitment to sustainability and have made Scandinavia a global leader in innovative and environmentally conscious waste management practices.
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/8fa4fa4c7ad6661610417d096771d5ca646ce42281495e6d32db5b999ca13da5" alt="" width="530" height="488" /> Left: Sweden&rsquo;s electric-powered garbage truck Right: Norway&rsquo;s waste management system 
Our neighbour across the pond, Singapore, implements rigorous waste management strategies marked by strict regulations. The city-state emphasizes reducing waste generation, extensive recycling efforts, and waste-to-energy incineration plants.&nbsp;
The National Environment Agency enforces fines for littering and illegal dumping, maintaining a disciplined approach to cleanliness. Singapore's dedication to innovation includes the Semakau Landfill, an offshore landfill turned into a recreational island. This comprehensive approach demonstrates Singapore's commitment to waste reduction and environmental sustainability through a blend of regulation, technology, and public engagement.
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/a43b4438da61c9c555e50ac327aba5c603acdc857bb4aa5e547995a952cd73d2" alt="" width="504" height="520" /> ALBA, Singapore&rsquo;s zero waste program
As DBKL's call for responsibility reverberates through social media, it is evident that the issue of littering strikes a chord with citizens. The discourse surrounding New Year's celebrations has sparked a broader conversation about civic responsibility, cultural attitudes toward cleanliness, and the role of the government in fostering a cleaner and more sustainable future.
The diverse opinions expressed by netizens highlight the complexity of the issue, but they also underscore a shared concern for the well-being of the city. It is now up to the citizens, local authorities, and the government to collaborate and find a balanced approach that promotes both celebration and environmental responsibility. Only through collective efforts and a shift in mindset can Kuala Lumpur hope to overcome the challenges of littering and embrace a cleaner, more vibrant future.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments!
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to DBKL &amp; various cross-references for context.
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Let’s make it our 2024 goal to become a nation with more civic awareness when it comes to recycling.

b576ed4f224362467f12ae192efdd720d4e71a04dbc3f27e23ee13b6e2cfdff9

DBKL Criticizes New Year's Partygoers For Littering After Festive Celebrations – “3rd World Mentality”

DBKL Criticizes New Year's Partygoers For Littering After Festive Celebrations – “3rd World Mentality”

Let’s make it our 2024 goal to become a nation with more civic awareness when it comes to recycling.

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