MIRI: Miri’s flagship recycling campaign is on course for its most successful year after collecting almost as much recyclable waste in the first five months of 2026, reflecting a growing public participation in environmental conservation.
The Miri City Buy-Back Campaign: Waste to Wealth has collected 14.54 tonnes of recyclable materials as of May, representing 93.8 per cent of the 15.50 tonnes recorded for the whole of 2025.
Speaking at the seventh edition of the campaign at the Miri Community Green Hub in Taman Yakin on Saturday, Miri Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang said the programme had become one of the city’s leading environmental initiatives, encouraging residents to adopt more sustainable waste management practices through recycling.
Launched in 2024, the campaign has organised 16 editions to date, diverting a total of 42.78 tonnes of waste from landfill. The collection comprised 18.34 tonnes of recyclable materials, 15.41 tonnes of electronic waste and 9.03 tonnes of used cooking oil.
Public participation has continued to grow since the programme was introduced. Collections increased by 21.7 per cent, from 12.74 tonnes in 2024 to 15.50 tonnes in 2025, with this year’s figures indicating another significant increase if the current momentum continues.
The campaign supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by promoting responsible consumption, reducing waste and strengthening partnerships between the local authority, private sector and communities.
Building on the programme’s success, Miri City Council is expanding the initiative beyond its monthly buy-back events. Recycling activities are now being introduced in schools, Local Agenda 21 and SDG Adopted Villages, as well as Residents’ Committees across the city to encourage recycling as part of everyday life.
Yii said the council hoped the wider community outreach would instil lifelong recycling habits while fostering greater public ownership of environmental protection.
He also acknowledged the contribution of strategic partner Chemsain Consultant Sdn Bhd and recycling companies Eye One Recycle (Miri) Sdn Bhd, Yong Teck Sin Scrap Metal Trading Company and Sekitar Bumi Hijau Sdn Bhd, together with government agencies, schools, community leaders and volunteers whose continued support has driven the campaign’s success.
With recycling volumes continuing to rise and community participation expanding, the council expects the Buy-Back Campaign to play an increasingly important role in reducing landfill waste and supporting Miri’s ambition to become a cleaner, greener and more sustainable city.
