A resident using the recycle bin to discard waste at the launch of the Penang State Government Guide to Waste Segregation and Recycling programme at Grandview Condominium in Jalan Tanjung Tokong.
FOLK in Penang who still do not comply with the waste segregation at source ruling have until the end of July before they face fines.
Until then, enforcers from both local councils are checking on the garbage bins of households and buildings, and if recyclable waste is found in them, the officers will slap a big sticker on the bins to remind people to recycle.
Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) Urban Services director Mohd Puad Hamid said they were currently checking landed property.
“We checked 9,884 landed homes from June 1 to June 10.
“So far 2,356 households are segregating their waste correctly and 2,437 households are separating waste but throwing their bags of recyclable items into the bin and not by the side,” he said.
(From left) Chow, Yap and Grandview Condominium Management Committee chairman K.K. Tan showing copies of the VCD to reporters at the event.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) environmental health officer Mohd Rouse Md Rejab said they were taking a softer approach after being instructed by the state to give residents until the end of July to adapt.
MBPP Building Commissioners Department director Nik Ariff Long Dir said there were 1,253 strata housing schemes on Penang island.
“We will go to all of the high-rise schemes to check if the joint management bodies and management corporations are helping the residents segregate the waste.
“They have three tasks: spread awareness, set up an area to hold recyclable waste and engage a licensed agent to collect the recyclable items.”
He added that one major concern was that low-cost flat blocks could not afford to provide a recycling area.
The segregation at source policy was implemented June last year and enforced since early this month.
Those who fail to separate their waste face fines of RM250 per offence. Persistent offenders will be taken to court, where a fine of up to RM2,000, a year’s jail or both, await them.
