RM500 fine awaits repeat offenders

A TOTAL of 296,866 notices have been issued to Penang folk to remind them to segregate their waste at source, with enforcement starting this month.

Penang local government, town and country planning committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said 129,550 of the notices were issued by Penang Island City Council (MBPP) while 167,316 were from Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP).

He said the policy to separate domestic waste was first introduced in June 2016 and enforced in June 2017, but enforcement was put on hold during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The state has decided to reactivate the waste segregation-at-source policy with enforcement starting this month, to reduce the amount of waste sent to the Pulau Burung landfill.

Penang has reactivated its waste segregation-at-source policy this month.— Filepic

“Before this policy was re-enforced, the local authority had actively carried out various programmes and promotional activities aimed at providing awareness and understanding of this policy throughout the state,” he said during a press conference in Komtar, George Town.

H’ng said the re-implementation of the policy had received encouraging response so far.

“On the island, the collection of recyclable waste by MBPP will be three times a week according to the specific area’s schedule.

“From July 1 to July 15, 7,634kg were collected.

“On the mainland, MBSP will only collect recyclable waste on Saturdays, and 4,653kg were collected on July 6 and July 13,” he said.

H’ng warned repeat offenders flouting the policy that they might be fined.

“Since July, MBPP has conducted 20 operations while MBSP has conducted 169.

“A total of 1,202 non-compliance notices have been issued by both councils – 50 from MBPP and 1,152 from MBSP.

“Offenders may be slapped with a RM500 fine once they are issued with three notices,” he said.