THIS year’s school-level recycling campaign organised by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) saw the collection of 41,173.64kg of waste through the participation of 18 schools in Penang.
The programme was participated by preschool, primary and secondary school students.
MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said this initiative was introduced in 2012 in an annual collaboration with Fraser and Neave Holdings Bhd and Tetra Pak.
“We are glad to hold the campaign once again after it was halted in 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Very happy to witness the participation of children from different ages in this highly important initiative for the betterment of our future generations.
“The need to protect our Mother Nature is ever crucial today.
“Some 2,000 tonnes of waste are being transported to the Pulau Burung Landfill daily, and this must improve so that we don’t have to further widen the waste occupancy there.
“In Penang, a total of 1.14kg of waste is being produced by a single individual daily. This is not a good sign and we must change.
“That is why it is important for all of us to practise the 5R (refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle).
“The performance earlier by the school kids was a great reminder of how important it is for us to be environmentally conscious when it comes to waste collection.
“We hope to become a zero-waste city one day, and with the collective efforts of all parties, it is definitely possible.
“Otherwise, congratulations to all the winners of the recycling campaign this year.
“Keep up the good work and continue to play your part in safeguarding everyone’s well-being, as well as our state’s cleanliness,” Yew said in his speech during the recycling campaign prize-giving ceremony at Convention 33 at Prangin Mall in George Town today.
As for winners under the recycling awards, SMK Convent Pulau Tikus walked away with the first prize (RM1,400), while SMK Sacred Heart (RM1,300) and SMK Padang Polo (RM1,200) won second and third place respectively.
There were also other categories such as special awards for schools that collected the highest number of plastics, aluminium and Tetra Pak, as well as a poster designing campaign.
Teachers and students from the schools were present to receive their prizes.
It was learnt that sponsors Fraser and Neave Holdings Bhd and Tetra Pak contributed prizes and cash monies worth RM22,860 for this project.
Story and pix by Kevin Vimal