Pay heed to separation-at-source initiative to avoid fines or legal action
PENANG is set to re-enforce the Waste Segregation at Source Policy starting July 1.
State local government, town and country planning committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said this would help reduce waste management costs and protect the environment.
“Anyone found to have failed to comply with the policy can be fined up to RM500.
“The policy was enforced for three years from 2017, but stopped in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is important to reinstate the policy to help reduce pollution, preserve ecosystems and streamline waste management processes to achieve efficiency,” he said when speaking to the media after inaugurating the Waste To Wealth Environmental Awareness Campaign programme at a supermarket in Sungai Bakap, Penang.
Over the years, the state government has, through the Penang Green Council, Penang Island City Council and Seberang Perai City Council, worked to raise public awareness on the policy, said H’ng.
“Both local councils and non-governmental organisations have distributed pamphlets regarding the policy and its importance.
“We spent the period of January to June to help the people understand the process and ways to segregate their rubbish,” he said.
“I urge Penangite to segregate their wastes for a greener and sustainable state as it is our way of caring for the environment.”
Fines will be imposed under the Local Government Act 1976 and Separation of Waste and Licensing of Recyclable Waste Collection Services (City Council of Penang Island) By-Laws 2016.
From July 1, those who do not segregate their wastes can be fined up to RM500.
Persistent offenders will be taken to court, and may receive a fine of up to RM2,000, a year’s jail or both.
