Having started this initiative in 2020, the NGO has mobilised 500 volunteers nationwide this year. With its campaign focusing on waste management, it has set up fruit banks to collect leftover offerings, and placed temporary bins at major temple sites, including Batu Caves, Penang, Ipoh, Sungai Petani in Kedah, and Masai in Johor.
Clean Thaipusam representative M Nalina Devi said the biggest challenge remains the sheer number of devotees, which directly increases waste generation. “While many are becoming more conscious of cleanliness, littering is still an issue despite the facilities provided,” she told Bernama.
The NGO’s efforts over the last few years have led to significant improvements, with many temples implementing better waste-management strategies. Batu Caves, for example, has increased the number of bins and enhanced cleaning routines, while the managements of several temples are actively promoting plastic reduction.
To enhance its impact, Clean Thaipusam has extended its operations from two to four days this year at major temples, and is also tracking the amount of leftover fruit and plastic waste. The organisation is further collaborating with local councils, other NGOs and animal shelters to repurpose collected fruits.
Nalina said they are using social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to educate devotees and vendors on proper waste disposal. Volunteers will also visit vendors to urge them to reduce single-use plastics.
Looking ahead, Clean Thaipusam aims to reach out to primary schools to instil environmental consciousness from a young age. The NGO has also begun supporting cleanup efforts during other Hindu religious events such as Maasi Magam and Chitra Pournami.
To encourage devotees to contribute to a cleaner Thaipusam, Nalina urges them to bring reusable bags, avoid food wastage, and ensure the proper disposal of rubbish and ritual items. The latter are often abandoned at riverbanks.
“Small actions, such as cleaning up after yourself or sharing before-and-after photos of cleaned public spaces, can create a big impact. We encourage everyone to take part in our initiative,” she added.
Despite some temples enforcing strict cleanliness regulations within their compounds, enforcement outside temple grounds remains a challenge. Local councils, alongside the Thaipusam Task Force, have been taking action against problematic vendors, including shutting down stalls that violate waste-management rules.
“Many vendors still use excessive plastic packaging, especially single-use plastics. Stricter regulations are needed to ensure better compliance. Just as local councils enforce bans on alcohol sales near temples, they should introduce firmer measures for waste management among vendors,” Nalina noted.
“With better public awareness and responsible participation, we can make Thaipusam a cleaner and more sustainable celebration,” she concluded.