AN INCREASE of 5% to 8% in disposable utensil use was recorded during the first three days of the scheduled water disruption, says Penang Island City Council (MBPP).
However, mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the waste transfer station in Batu Maung recorded a 4% reduction in total waste per day, possibly due to fewer activities due to the water cut.
“We suspect the reduction is also due to fewer tourists arriving during this period.
“Also, many Penangites went out of town to avoid the water cut,” he said in a statement.
However, Rajendran noted an increase in the use of disposable food packaging and plates.
It was reported that many hawkers resorted to using disposable utensils to save on water usage.
Sri Ananda Bahwan Group director Datuk V. Harikrishnan said the restaurant chain had switched to disposable utensils that were also biodegradable.
He said water supply at many of their eateries resumed by the third day of the scheduled water cut.
“After our taps started to flow again, we started using our usual utensils.
“Luckily, water flow resumed after only a day at some of our outlets in Little India,” he said.
Harikrishnan added that some of their eateries in busy areas like Jalan Macalister served between 2,000 and 3,000 plates of food daily.
