FAQ

Frequently Asked Question

Recycling Materials

Who is the Reimagine Plastic Project (RIP)?

Initiated by Hara Makers, the Reimagine Plastic Project (RIP) is a volunteer collective based as well as an income-generating project for the economically disadvantaged community in the city of Kuala Lumpur, targeted at providing vocational skills in upcycling of plastic waste.

Do you still collect single-use plastics? What types of plastic do you accept?

Yes, we do collect single-use plastics. For detailed information on the types of plastic we accept, please refer to this post on our Facebook page.

Are you accepting bottle caps, bottle rings, plastic bags?

Yes, we are accepting bottle caps, bottle rings and plastic bags.

Are you accepting biodegradable bags?

No, we are not accepting biodegradable bags at this moment.

Do you accept plastic spoons and forks? Where can I recycle plastic spoons and forks?

No, we are currently focusing on plastic bags and do not accept plastic spoons and forks. Most recycling centers will accept hard plastics like plastic spoons and forks (typically type 5) if they are clean.

I have lots of empty coffee sachets/bags. Do you know who would want them?

Yes, you can pass them to us. We have a community that works on plastic upcycling and would be happy to accept them.

Is there a collection point for recycling? Where is the drop-off box located, and when can I access it?

The drop-off point is at PJ Eco Recycling Plaza. You can drop off cleaned plastic bags in the "plastik sekali guna" bin. The address is: Jalan ss8/39, Sungai Way Free Trade Industrial Zone, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Operation hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9.00am -4.30pm
Contact number: +603-7865 8049

Do I need to inform you before dropping off my items at your place?

Yes, please inform us if you are dropping off more than 10kg of items. Otherwise, you can drop your items in our bin in PJ. The address is: Jalan ss8/39, Sungai Way Free Trade Industrial Zone, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Operation hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9.00am -4.30pm
Contact number: +603-7865 8049

Is there a person collecting the items at your drop-off locations?

No, you can simply drop your items in our designated bins at PJ. The address is: Jalan ss8/39, Sungai Way Free Trade Industrial Zone, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Operation hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9.00am -4.30pm
Contact number: +603-7865 8049

How can I donate my extra plastic bags?

To donate your plastic bags, please follow these steps:
1- Ensure the bags are clean and free from any food material, oil residues, or other waste.
2- Clean your plastic using warm soapy water or vinegar, and hang them to dry completely.
3- Do not cut the bags into small pieces. If you need to cut them open for thorough cleaning, make a straight cut. Do not rip them open.
4- Do not crush plastic bottles. We need them for our Eco-brick program.

Why can't we take all types of plastic?

Generally, there are 7 types of plastic being used to make the things we use everyday. Unfortunately, not all are recyclable, and not all can be upcycled. We try our best to deal with all types of plastic, especially plastic bags, but we still have our limitations. Therefore, we are not able to deal with all types of plastic in our small workshop. Based on our experiences and experiments, we have come out with two lists. Please refer to the lists before sending us your plastic.

Can type 5 plastic food containers be recycled?

Yes, food containers made from type 5 plastic can be recycled.

Where can I recycle cleaned PP (Type 5) containers?

You can send cleaned PP (Type 5) containers to some recycling centers, which are willing to accept them if they are clean. Alternatively, you can take them to PJ Eco Recycling Plaza, which accepts many recyclables, including Tetra Pak.

I have a collection of snack packs but can no longer use them. What should I do with them?

If you have a collection of snack packs that you no longer use, you can donate them to our organization for recycling and upcycling projects. This way, they can be repurposed instead of going to waste.

Where else can I recycle other types of packaging which is not accepted by Hara Makers?

You can try contacting Trash4Cash. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

Does plastic emit harmful fumes when you upcycle it, especially when using heat?

Yes, plastic can emit fumes when heated. However, in our upcycling process, we fuse the plastic instead of burning it, which minimizes harmful emissions. Different types of plastic have varying melting points and fume levels, some of which are within safe limits. When melting hard plastic for furniture, we use gas masks and proper equipment to ensure safe working conditions. For more detailed information, please contact us.

River Clean-up

What time do you start and do you have the exact location?

Our cleanups typically start at 8 AM. The exact location: Sungai Keroh, KTM Segambut.

How can I join the clean-up?

We would love to have you join our cleanups! Please visit our website https://haramakers.com/river-clean-up/ for information on upcoming cleanup events date, time and available slot for participation.

Is there a limit to the number of participants for your River-Cleanup? How many people are allowed in each group?

Yes, for safety reasons, we limit the number of participants to 25 per group. Each group can have up to 25 participants. If there are more than 25 participants, we suggest splitting them into two groups.

Is there an age restriction for participants?

Yes, participants must be 7 years old or above.

What do you do with the cleanup materials?

The collected materials are sorted and processed according to their type. Recyclable items are sent to recycling facilities, while non-recyclable waste is disposed of responsibly.

What is the main material found in your cleanups?

During our cleanups, we frequently find plastic waste, such as bottles, bags, and packaging materials, as well as other debris like glass, metal, and discarded textiles.

Are you collecting recycling materials?

Yes, we collect recyclable materials during our cleanups. Items such as plastic, glass, metal, and paper are sorted and sent to appropriate recycling facilities to ensure they are processed correctly.

Workshops/Activities/Projects

What is the main activity of your group, and can anyone interested participate?

Our main activity is organizing cleanups and recycling efforts to tackle waste issues in Malaysia. Yes, anyone interested in our activities is welcome to participate. Please visit our website https://haramakers.com/river-clean-up/ or follow our social media pages https://www.facebook.com/haramakers/ for information on upcoming cleanup events and how you can participate.

Do you have workshops where we can learn to convert plastic packaging into bags?

Yes, we offer workshops on converting plastic packaging into bags.

Can you give a talk and workshop at our school?

Yes, we would love to! We can conduct a workshop at your school. Please Provide us with more details such as:
1. Company/School and Participants & Address:
2. Date and Time:
3. Participants:
4. Duration:
5. Budget:
6. Facilities: (e.g., electric power, space requirements)

What will be covered during the workshop?

We will start with an introduction of ourselves and our NGO. We will explain our work, including river cleaning and upcycling projects, and invite students to join our mission.

Volunteers

Do you have any upcoming activities or events that need manpower and volunteers?

Yes, we have several upcoming events that need volunteers. Here are a few programs you might be interested in:
* River Cleanup at Segambut.
* Plastic Waste Segregation at PJ Eco Recycling Plaza. Every Wednesday.
* Installation of Plastic Art at GMBB.
You may also get in touch with us at +6010-355 7123.

How can I get involved in volunteering for your events?

Please let us know the number of participants from your end and whether you can volunteer for one session or multiple sessions.

Do you accept kid volunteers? What age range of kids do you accept as volunteers?

Yes, we welcome kid volunteers. We accept kid volunteers aged 7 years and above.

Can younger kids also come along to the center?

Yes, if you have younger kids with you, we have a small toy library at the center where they can play.

What is the maximum capacity for a group of kid volunteers?

Please contact us hara.networks@gmail.com to discuss the maximum capacity for your group, as it may vary based on the activity and space available.

Can kids aged 4-6 years join the volunteer activities if a parent tags along?

Yes, kids aged 4-6 years can join the volunteer activities if accompanied by a parent.

Upcycle Product

Are the items made from upcycled plastics for sale?

Yes, some of our upcycled plastic items are available for sale. Visit our online shop https://haramakers.com/shop/

Do you have any recycled plastic products such as laptop covers, iPad covers, or cardholders?

Visit our online shop https://haramakers.com/shop/

Are you able to make lanyards from upcycled fabric?

Yes, we can make lanyards from upcycled fabric. If you provide us with the measurements, we can create a sample for you.

Can we get upcycled material for medal straps for a sports event?

Yes, we can provide upcycled fabric for your medal straps to help make your event more environmentally friendly.

Can you fuse a logo onto the upcycled fabric?

Yes, we can fuse a logo onto the upcycled fabric.

Others

Are there opportunities for students to volunteer to fulfill social service credit hours?

Yes, we welcome students seeking volunteer opportunities to fulfill their social service credit hours. Please contact us to learn more about our programs and available volunteer opportunities.

Can I visit your studio to discuss potential collaboration opportunities?

Yes, you are more than welcome to visit our office to explore collaboration possibilities. If you have any questions or need more information, please send us an email at hara.networks@gmail.com. Can reach out to us via WhatsApp at +6010-355 7123.

Do you need anything else?

Yes, there are things we need for our project. We would be very grateful if you have one to give away or if you know any place where we can source it at a more affordable rate.
* Laser-cut machine
* Industrial oven
* Industrial sewing machines