Story by Danny Ooi
Pix by Law Suun Ting
THE existing recycling rate in Penang at 32% is the highest in Malaysia and three times more than the country’s rate of 10.5%, which is expected to achieved 20% in 2020.
“I am positive that the recyclable rate will further improve and be at par with that of advanced countries which is more than 40%,” Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said when launching the waste segregation at source programme at Taman Sri Idaman in Air Putih, Air Itam on Aug 14.
“Waste segregation at source will reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill at Pulau Burung. This will help both the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) to save funds in management of waste products through cost of waste collection, transportation from waste removal stations to the landfill in addition to tipping fees for waste collection at Pulau Burung,” he added.
Also present at the event was Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari.
Lim said each resident of Penang disposes an average of 1.1kg of waste daily, resulting in a total of 1,700 tons of waste being collected for disposal at the Pulau Burung landfill.
“Both our local councils, MBPP and MPSP, have allocated RM95.64 million and RM98.99 million respectively in this year budget to manage their waste disposal and public cleanliness,” he said.
The cost of waste transportation from the transit station at Ampang Jajar to the Pulau Burong landfill is RM1.2 million monthly, while the tipping fee is RM20.20 per ton.
Besides this, there is the cost of land measuring 157 acres, which is allocated for the waste disposal.
“Considering the cut back of 4% of waste from entering the landfill, it is estimated there is a cost saving of RM2.5 million per year,” Lim added.
Meanwhile, later in the evening, Lim joined Deputy Chief Minister 1 Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon at the launching of the “Think Green Act Green Waste Segregation” programme at Queensbay Mall in Bayan Baru.
In addressing the crowd present, he lauded the management of Queensbay Mall to improve their efforts in preserving the environment through various methods, including the launch of the “Think Green Act Green Waste Segregation” programme.
He termed waste segregation as a life changer, which benefits the family and community at large.
“Just spend around one minute a day to do waste segregation at source and you are on your way to moulding your family and society and helping the state in its effort to be a cleaner, healthier and greener place besides an intelligent and international city,” he said.
Lim also equated the present craze of Pokemon Go as only a game changer compared to the life changing waste segregation.
The Chief Minister added that since 2012, Queensbay Mall had practised waste segregation at source, resulting in 94,400kg and 90,800kg of recyclable waste collected in 2014 and 2015 respectively.
“For the last three years the mall also spent some RM50,000 to come out with the recyclable bins,” he added.if (document.currentScript) {