GEORGE TOWN, June 17 – The Launching Ceremony of the Pokemon Go Island Air Itam Recycling Project took place today, marking a significant collaborative effort between the Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC), Air Itam ADUN Service Centre, SENTRAL College Penang, and Top Group Life Planning as the sponsor. The primary objectives of this project are to raise personal and public awareness of environmental issues, promote the principles of Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle, and minimize waste in landfills.
Moreover, the project aims to establish a platform for community recycling in Air Itam, contributing to a shared zero-waste future in line with the Penang2030 vision of making Penang “A Family-Focused, Green, and Smart State that Inspires the Nation.” The launching ceremony was witnessed by YB Joseph Ng Soon Siang, Air Itam ADUN, who presented certificates to all volunteers from SENTRAL College Penang who contributed to the recycling project.
The ceremony was attended by esteemed individuals, including Mr. Rohaizat Hamid and Ms. Tan Soo Siang, MBPP Councillors; Dr. Gwee Sai Ling, General Manager of PYDC; Mr. Tan Peng Hooi, Deputy Principal Cum Director of Studies at SENTRAL College Penang; Ms. Nel Ng Ee Ling, Quality & Regulatory Manager Cum Head of School Business Management at SENTRAL College Penang; Mr. KD Chang, COO of Top Group Life Planning; Ms. Ayuni, MBPP Officer from the Landscape Department; and Mr. Daniel Tan Kean Tatt, Student Affairs and Services Officer.
YB Joseph Ng Soon Siang, Penang State Assemblyman for Air Itam, expressed in his speech, “The first upcycle project was completed in 2020, thanks to the collaboration with MBPP. For this second round of upcycle projects, we are working together with PYDC, SENTRAL College, and Top Group Life Planning. I would like to express my gratitude to all the parties involved and hope that there will be more upcycle projects in Air Itam in the future, creating greater awareness and enhancing the beauty of Air Itam to the next level,” said YB Joseph during the launching ceremony.
Mr. Tan Peng Hooi, Deputy Principal and Director of Studies at SENTRAL College, stated, “SENTRAL College Penang is delighted to collaborate with PYDC, Air Itam ADUN Service Centre, and Top Group Life Planning as the financial sponsor for the Pokémon Go Island Air Itam Recycling Project. This project showcases the integration of sustainability, creativity, and community engagement. Through this project, our students have shown their commitment to environmental conservation and their ability to contribute meaningfully to a greener future.”
The Pokemon Go Island Air Itam Recycling Project has been ongoing since December 7, 2022, encompassing activities such as bottle collection, sorting, assembly, and installation. Today, on June 16, 2023, we proudly announce the successful completion of the Pokémon Go Island Air Itam Recycling Project. The Pokémon sculpture, created from 5,087 plastic water bottles, will be prominently displayed in front of Chung Ling High School for approximately six months, until the end of December.
We are delighted to have surpassed our initial target of 5,000 plastic water bottles, thanks to the valuable assistance of approximately 20 youth volunteers from SENTRAL College Penang, who took the initiative to enhance the area’s aesthetics. They used a total of 3,215 bottles to create the Pokémon sculpture and balls. Unfortunately, 1,872 bottles could not be used due to various reasons, such as excessive dirt or damage. The placement of the Pokémon sculpture has been strategically chosen to avoid any buried TNB cables.
Additionally, all bottles have been punctured to prevent water accumulation, which could potentially lead to mosquito breeding and the spread of dengue fever in the future. During the ceremony, the Green Educator’s Workgroup (GREW) and 11 schools around Penang were acknowledged for their contribution of bags filled with recycled mineral bottles for this project. Their support has been instrumental in making this recycling project a success. The following schools helped collect mineral water bottles: SJKC Kg Jawi, SJKC Yok Eng, SMJK Jit Sin,
SMK Datuk Onn, Butterworth, SMK Convent Butterworth, SJKC Union, SMK Convent Pulau Tikus, SJKC Pulau Betong, SJKC Kwang Hwa Sg Nibong, SJKC Shih Chung Cawangan, SMJK Phor Tay. We extend our sincere gratitude to YB Joseph, State Assemblyman for Air Itam, for initiating this Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project and providing us with the opportunity to collaborate. The main objectives of this project are to educate the public and enhance the constituency’s beauty using recycled materials.
We would also like to express our appreciation to SENTRAL College for their collaboration and support in providing student volunteers for this project. All the volunteers who participated in this program will be recognized as Penang Youth Volunteers under the PYDC.
