GEORGE TOWN, Jun 2 – Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng launched “Waste Segregation At Source” of Penang State Level at at the entrance of 1st floor of Komtar here Wednesday morning. About RM2.5 million a year could be saved in the event of primary waste separation at source, which successful came into force on June 1.

“This policy can reduce the cost of waste disposal, while to develop recycling industry and create a clean and green environment. Let us lead to the goal of zero waste is now practiced in most developed countries. I believe the implementation of this policy, the state recycling rates will rise again and will be on par with developed countries recycling rates of over 40 per cent by 2020,” Lim said.

Meanwhile, Lim also announced the appointment of Mayor of the City Council of Penang Island (MBPP) Dato ‘Ismail Patahiyah and Municipal President of Municipal Council of. Seberang Perai(MPSP) Dato’ Mohd Maimunah. Sharif as implementing the new policy in their respective areas.

Earlier, the Exco for Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation, Chow Kon Yeow also said that the annual rate of recycling in Penang were amounted 32 percent which is the highest in Malaysia, compared to 10.5 percent recycling rate set at national level.

“The figure of 32 per cent is still low compared with other developed countries like Japan by 77 per cent, Singapore 60 per cent and 49 per cent of Korea. A lot of preparation to do but it was insufficient, but this base needs to be done on this day. In this six-month period, the implementation mechanism will be tested again and will continue to be improved to strengthen the enforcement of the future, “said Kon Yeow, adding that the compound will begin to take place after the next 12 months.

Based on the bylaws authorities, he said the state government will issue licenses for collecting recyclable waste, whether to individuals, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or private companies are eligible. Chow said the waste that can be recycled will be collected according to the schedule while the remnants remaining will also be collected as usual.

It is understood, every day every resident of Penang on average produce 1.1 kilograms of garbage, while the daily waste that is sent to a waste disposal center at Pulau Burung Landfill is 1,700 tons. Taking the budget, MBPP and MPSP each allocated RM95.64 million and RM98.99 million a year, for managing solid waste and public cleansing works.

The cost of transporting waste from Ampang Jajar Transfer Station to Pulau Burung Landfill costed RM1.2 million a month. While the cost of “tipping fee” or charges levied on the weight of garbage collected in the Pulau Burung Landfill was RM20.20 per tonne.

Thus, excluding the cost of land of 157 acres designated as a landfill. Therefore, the State Government has estimated savings of RM2.5 million per year, if the policy of waste separation at source is able to divert 4 percent of waste from entering landfills in the state later.

Pocket News

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