"Siti and Amir! I’m so happy you both came home a week early before Hari Raya. That means... it's time for our yearly spring cleaning!" Dad announces sarcastically as he watches them walk through the stairs.

"What? No way, we just got home!" Siti and Amir protests.

Mom chuckles and adds, "Yes, your father and I have been waiting for this. We’re already running late—there’s so much to do for our Hari Raya celebration. But this time, let’s clean differently. These days, many people recycle or donate instead of simply throwing things away. And guess what? After sorting our recyclables, we can exchange them for cash. There's a ‘Drive to Save’ program happening in our area tomorrow."

"That means we must finish everything today so we can drop off the recyclables tomorrow!" Dad instructs with urgency.

"I can’t believe they were just waiting for us to come home… to clean!" Amir mutters, shaking his head.

"Oh, come on, it’s just once a year! Let’s get it over with," Siti encourages her brother as they walk up the stairs to enter their home.

The Unfit Clothes: A Second Life Instead of the Landfill

"Okay, everyone! Let’s start with the clothes. Separate them into three piles—keep, donate, and discard!" Mom says while setting out labelled boxes.

Siti holds up a pile of shirts and sighs. "Most of these clothes are still in good condition… they just don’t fit me anymore. Oh no, I seriously need to go on a diet!"

Mom smiles. "Then let’s donate them. Clothes that are still wearable can go to charity."

Did you know?

• Textile waste takes years to decompose, and synthetic fabrics like polyester release microplastics into the environment.
• Donating clothes extends their life and reduces fashion waste, which is a major contributor to landfills.

📌 Recycling Tip: Find a textile recycling program or donate to charities that accept used clothes.

Old Textbooks & Papers: Clearing Clutter, Saving Trees

"Now that you’re both finally here, clear out your old textbooks and papers from school and college. They’ve been piling up for years!" Dad exclaims, pointing at the overflowing shelves.

Siti and Amir nod and start sorting.

Did you know?

• Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees and 7,000 gallons of water.
• Paper fibers can be recycled up to seven times before they degrade completely.

📌 Recycling Tip: Remove staples and sticky notes before recycling paper waste.

E-Waste: The Hidden Danger in Old Gadgets

"Whoa! There are so many tangled cables here—chargers, earphones, and random wires!" Amir exclaims, holding up a messy bundle.

Dad grins. "That’s all e-waste! I gathered everything the other day. Also, help me put these in a box," he says, handing Amir a pile of old calculators, remotes, cracked phones, and broken keyboards.

Did you know?

• Less than 20% of e-waste is properly recycled, even though it contains valuable materials like copper and gold.
• Electronics also have toxic components like lead and mercury, which should never end up in landfills.

📌 Recycling Tip: Look for local e-waste collection centers or trade-in programs for old electronics.


 

Plastic Chaos: Sorting the Good from the Bad

"Siti, could you help me clean the plastic bottles and containers I collected!" Mom asks help from the daughter

"Wait—actually we can’t recycle all plastics, right?" asks Siti.

Mom nods her head. "Yes, not all plastic is recyclable. See the number inside the recycling symbol? Some plastics, like PET bottles, can be recycled, but things like plastic bags often can’t go into the regular bin."

Did you know?

• Only 9% of plastic ever produced has been recycled.
• Recycling just one plastic bottle can save enough energy to power a lightbulb for hours.

📌 Recycling Tip: Always rinse plastic containers before recycling and check local guidelines for accepted plastics.


 

Used Cooking Oil: The Silent Pollutant in Your Kitchen

As they finish sorting, Siti suddenly remembers something. "Mak, do you know we can recycle used cooking oil?"

"Really? I didn’t know that!" Mom looks surprised. "I usually just pour it down the sink after using it."

Siti shakes her head. "You shouldn't do that! It clogs pipes and pollutes waterways. Over time, it can cause serious blockages."

Dad laughs. "No wonder our kitchen sink always clogs! Haha!"

Mom looks guilty. "Thank you for telling me, Siti. I’ll start collecting used oil and send it for recycling next time."

Did you know?

• One liter of used cooking oil can pollute up to one million liters of water.
• Recycled cooking oil can be converted into biodiesel, a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

📌 Recycling Tip:
✔ Collect used cooking oil in a sealed container and send it to a recycling center.
✔ Some companies buy used cooking oil for biofuel production—check your local options.
✔ If recycling isn’t possible, absorb small amounts with paper towels before disposal.


 

The Father's Heartwarming Gesture

The next day, Dad and Amir head to the Drive to Save recycling program to drop off their recyclables and donate clothes.

"That was actually a great thing to do!" Amir admits.

"Yes! Instead of just throwing things away, we earned money and did our part for the environment," Dad says, showing a few hundred ringgit from the program, neatly placed in the car’s storage tray.

A week later, as the family gathers for Hari Raya, Dad proudly shares something new.

"I just sent the Drive to Save program details to my friends on WhatsApp!" he announces.

"Wahh, that’s great, Dad!" Siti exclaims.

Dad continues, "This morning at the mosque, I told my friends about our spring cleaning and recycling. When I mentioned they could earn money through it, they got excited! They thanked me for sharing, and I felt really proud. Next year, let’s make this a tradition."

"Yes, we agree!" Mom, Siti, and Amir echo together.

through this act. They sounded excited and appreciated me for our act as well as sharing the information with them. I felt proud about it. Next year, let’s make it a tradition.”

“Yes, we agree!” Mum, Siti and Amir echoed together. 



 

Making Recycling More Rewarding: Join the Drive to Save Program!

If you’re looking for a fun and rewarding way to recycle, the Drive to Save Program in Johor Bahru is the perfect opportunity!

Happening three times a month in various locations, our drive-in recycling program allows you to exchange recyclables for cash. Whether it’s paper, plastic, aluminium, or electronics, you’ll not only help the environment but also earn some extra money. It’s an easy and effective way to make sustainability a part of your routine while enjoying the benefits of your contributions.

Join us in making a difference—drive in, recycle, and save! Together, we can turn recycling into a rewarding habit for a greener future.

For more details on locations and schedules, visit the Facebook page today!