KUALA LUMPUR – Thaipusam, one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals in Malaysia, attracts large crowds, particularly to Batu Caves, generating several hundred tonnes of waste each year.
However, recent improvements in waste management have helped mitigate the overflow of rubbish during the festival.
“Although crowd numbers continue to grow, waste overflow has improved gradually due to better bin placement, volunteer involvement, and public awareness,” said T. Sathiyavarmaan, co-founder of Clean Thaipusam.
For 2026, the initiative has placed a greater emphasis on recycling and source-level waste management, with corporate recycling partner Spritzer on board.
“This year, the approach is more structured, proactive, and driven by the community,” Sathiyavarmaan shared with Scoop.
Among the improvements this year is the placement of over 200 large garbage collection boxes at Batu Caves, along with 10 dedicated recycling bins for plastic waste, which has become the largest waste stream to be recycled.
“Recycling efforts are mainly focused on plastic materials, which make up the largest portion of recoverable waste during Thaipusam,” he added.
In addition to recycling, measures have been taken to reduce overall waste volume, such as a programme that channels proceeds from recyclable materials to Tamil schools.
Clean Thaipusam has collaborated with SWCorp Malaysia, temple management committees, local authorities, corporate partners like Spritzer, and a growing number of community volunteers to improve waste management during the festival.
“Coordination has been effective in planning, recycling support, and managing waste during peak hours,” Sathiyavarmaan noted.
While there has been progress, challenges persist during peak hours, particularly after food distribution and in high-traffic areas like stairways and rest zones.
“More improvements are needed in booth-level waste planning,” he added.
Clean Thaipusam is a volunteer-led initiative focused on maintaining cleanliness during the annual festival. This year, the initiative has mobilised over 600 volunteers nationwide, marking a rise in community involvement compared to previous years. – January 27, 2026