Find answers to common questions about recycling, workshops, and sustainability
We offer three core workshop programs designed for different audiences:
Basic Plastic Recycling (2 days, RM 450): Perfect for individuals, community leaders, and anyone new to recycling. Learn plastic identification, sorting techniques, and small-scale processing. Includes hands-on practice with real materials and equipment.
Commercial Waste Management (3 days, RM 850): Designed for businesses seeking to reduce waste and costs. Covers waste auditing, reduction strategies, regulatory compliance, and implementing management systems. Ideal for operations managers, sustainability coordinators, and facility managers.
Circular Economy Principles (4 days, RM 1,200): Advanced program for businesses ready to transform their operating models. Covers product design for circularity, business model innovation, supply chain redesign, and implementation strategies. Best suited for senior managers and decision-makers.
Registration is simple:
For group bookings (5+ participants) or custom corporate training, please contact us directly for special pricing and scheduling options.
Location: Most workshops are held at our Georgetown facility (Level 3, Wisma Penang Garden, 42A Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 Georgetown, Penang). We also have a training center in Butterworth for participants from that area.
Schedule: We run workshops monthly, typically on weekends (Friday-Sunday) to accommodate working professionals. Exact dates vary by program—Basic Plastic Recycling runs most months, while Circular Economy Principles runs quarterly.
Custom Training: For corporate clients or groups of 8+, we can schedule workshops on weekdays and even conduct training at your facility.
Time: Daily sessions run 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM with breaks for lunch (provided) and refreshments.
Basic Plastic Recycling: No prerequisites. This course is designed for complete beginners. If you can sort your household waste, you're qualified!
Commercial Waste Management: No technical prerequisites, but participants should have some familiarity with business operations. Most beneficial for those with responsibility for or influence over waste management in their organization.
Circular Economy Principles: We recommend completing Commercial Waste Management first or having equivalent knowledge about waste management fundamentals. This advanced course assumes understanding of basic concepts.
All workshops are conducted in English with some materials available in Malay. Basic English proficiency is helpful but not required—we provide support as needed.
All workshop fees include:
Not included: Transportation to/from venue, accommodation (though we can recommend nearby hotels), and any optional advanced certifications beyond our standard certificate.
In Malaysia, the most commonly accepted recyclable plastics are:
Widely Accepted Everywhere:
Accepted at Some Facilities:
Difficult to Recycle:
Check with your local recycling program for specific acceptance. Our workshops teach detailed identification techniques and local recycling options.
Recyclables should be "food-grade clean" but don't need to be spotless:
Minimum Standard: No visible food residue, oil, or liquids. A quick rinse with water is usually sufficient. The goal is to prevent contamination of other materials and avoid attracting pests.
Practical Tips:
Why It Matters: Contaminated recyclables can spoil entire batches at processing facilities, reducing material value by 40% or more. Even 5% contamination significantly impacts profitability of recycling operations.
Municipal Collection: Many Penang neighborhoods have scheduled collection days (typically twice monthly). Check with your local municipal council for specific dates and requirements.
Drop-Off Centers: Penang has over 30 permanent recycling centers accepting various materials. Major locations include:
Private Collectors: Several private companies offer pickup services for businesses and communities. We can connect you with reputable operators.
Community Programs: Many residential developments have organized recycling programs. Check with your residents' association or property management. Our workshops teach how to establish these programs if your community doesn't have one.
The recycling journey typically follows these steps:
1. Collection and Transportation: Materials are collected from households and drop-off points and transported to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs).
2. Sorting and Cleaning: At MRFs, materials are sorted by type, color, and quality. Contaminants are removed. Advanced facilities use automated systems while others rely more on manual sorting.
3. Processing: Sorted plastics are cleaned, shredded into small pieces (flakes), and sometimes melted into pellets. This processed material is the "feedstock" for manufacturing.
4. Manufacturing: Recycled plastic is used to make new products—bottles, containers, clothing fibers, carpets, construction materials, automotive parts, and many others. Some materials stay in Malaysia while others are exported to regional markets.
Reality Check: Not all collected recyclables are ultimately recycled. Contamination, market conditions, and processing costs affect recycling rates. That's why proper sorting and cleaning by individuals matters so much. Our workshops include facility tours so you can see the process firsthand.
Malaysian businesses must comply with several regulations:
Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007: Commercial premises generating more than 40 kg daily must separate waste into recyclables and residual waste. Fines up to RM 10,000 for non-compliance.
Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005: Businesses generating hazardous waste must register with DOE, maintain detailed records, use licensed contractors, and submit annual returns. Serious penalties for violations.
Local Municipal Requirements: Varies by area but typically includes proper storage, designated collection days, and container specifications.
Industry-Specific: Manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, and construction have additional requirements.
Our Commercial Waste Management workshop provides comprehensive compliance guidance including checklists, required documentation, and reporting procedures. We help businesses ensure they meet all obligations while optimizing costs.
Savings vary by industry and current practices, but our clients typically achieve:
Direct Disposal Cost Savings: 30-50% reduction in waste disposal fees through waste reduction and diversion to recycling. For a business spending RM 10,000 monthly on disposal, this means RM 3,000-5,000 monthly savings.
Material Recovery Revenue: Well-sorted recyclables generate revenue. Depending on volumes and materials, this can offset 10-30% of remaining disposal costs.
Process Improvements: Many businesses discover that waste reduction reveals process inefficiencies. Fixing these often saves more than direct waste savings—one client saved RM 120,000 annually in raw material costs.
Realistic Timeline: Most businesses see measurable savings within 3-6 months, with full benefits realized within 12 months. Investment in waste reduction typically pays for itself in 6-18 months.
Beyond Money: Benefits also include improved regulatory compliance, enhanced brand reputation, employee engagement, and customer loyalty—harder to quantify but very real.
Yes! Custom corporate training is one of our specialty services:
What We Offer:
Pricing: Custom programs are quoted based on scope, duration, participants, and location. Group discounts make per-person costs much lower than public workshops for teams of 8+.
Getting Started: Contact us to discuss your needs. We'll conduct an initial consultation (free), propose a customized program, and provide a detailed quote. Most corporate clients start with a pilot workshop then expand based on results.
Yes, connecting businesses with reputable buyers is part of our service:
Buyer Network: We maintain relationships with numerous recycling facilities, processors, and material traders across Malaysia. We can introduce you to buyers appropriate for your material types and volumes.
Quality Standards: We help you understand buyer requirements for material quality, sorting, cleaning, and baling. Meeting these standards ensures better prices and reliable pickup.
Pricing Guidance: We provide current market pricing information so you understand fair value for your materials and can negotiate effectively.
Contracts: For businesses generating significant volumes, we can facilitate contract negotiations with buyers to secure pricing stability and guaranteed collection. This service is provided to workshop participants and consulting clients.
Yes, our certificates are widely recognized:
Accreditation: EcoRecycle Malaysia is an accredited training provider with Green Tech Malaysia and partner organization with Penang Green Council. Our programs meet ISO 14001 environmental management standards.
Government Recognition: Our training is recognized by the Department of Environment and various state environmental agencies. Businesses can count our training toward environmental management requirements.
Industry Acceptance: Over 180 companies have sent employees through our programs. Many participants report that employers specifically sought candidates with recycling and waste management training.
Career Value: For individuals, our certificate demonstrates practical skills and environmental commitment valued by sustainability-focused employers, green businesses, and environmental consulting firms.
What's Included: Certificates show program completed, dates attended, topics covered, and our accreditation status. Digital verification is available for employers or certification bodies.
Our support continues long after you complete a workshop:
Email Support (3 months): Direct email access to instructors for questions about implementing what you learned. Most questions are answered within 24-48 hours.
Alumni Network: Access to online community of workshop graduates. Members share experiences, ask questions, and make professional connections. Very active with regular discussions.
Resource Library: Online access to updated materials, new resources, templates, and guides. We regularly add content based on emerging practices and policy changes.
Continuing Education: Alumni receive discounts on future workshops (20% off) and priority registration for advanced programs.
Consulting Services: For complex implementation challenges, we offer consulting services at preferential rates to alumni.
Events: We host quarterly alumni gatherings, facility tours, and special topic sessions. Great opportunities for networking and continued learning.
Yes, our workshops qualify for professional development in several contexts:
CPD Points: Our programs are registered for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points with relevant professional bodies. Contact us for specific point allocations for your profession.
Environmental Management: Businesses implementing ISO 14001 or other environmental management systems can count our training toward personnel competency requirements.
Corporate Training Requirements: Many companies have annual training requirements for employees. Our workshops meet these requirements and we provide all necessary documentation.
Documentation: We provide detailed attendance records, course outlines, and learning outcomes documentation that professional bodies and employers typically require.
Required:
Recommended:
Provided: All course materials, lunch and refreshments, protective equipment for facility tours, and writing materials.
We understand plans change. Our policy:
More than 14 days before workshop: Full refund minus RM 50 administrative fee, or free transfer to another workshop date.
7-14 days before: 50% refund or free transfer to another date within 6 months.
Less than 7 days: No refund, but you can transfer to another date within 6 months for RM 100 transfer fee.
No-show: No refund, no transfer. We prepare materials and reserve space for all registered participants.
Substitutions: You can substitute another person from your organization at any time at no charge. Just notify us before the workshop with the new participant's details.
Our Cancellations: If we must cancel a workshop, you'll receive full refund or priority registration for next available session, your choice.
Yes, we offer several options to make training accessible:
Group Discounts: 10% off for 3-4 participants, 15% off for 5-7, 20% off for 8+. Great for organizations sending multiple staff or communities organizing together.
Payment Plans: For multi-day workshops, we accept 50% deposit at registration with balance due 7 days before start date. Corporate clients can arrange invoice payment terms.
Sponsorships: Limited sponsorships available for community leaders, NGO staff, and students. Applications reviewed quarterly. Contact us for application details.
Government Support: Some government agencies and programs subsidize environmental training. We can provide necessary documentation for reimbursement applications.
Corporate Accounts: Organizations sending employees regularly can establish corporate accounts with flexible payment terms.
Several ways to stay connected:
Email Newsletter: Monthly updates with workshop schedules, new resources, success stories, and industry news. Sign up through our contact form.
Social Media: Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube for regular updates, tips, and behind-the-scenes content.
Blog: Regular articles on recycling, sustainability, and circular economy topics. New content published 2-3 times monthly.
Contact: Email [email protected] or call +60 3 1311 52260 for specific inquiries. We respond to all messages within 24 hours during business days.
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