IPOH: A total of 53 tonnes of used cooking oil have been collected from about 1,400 premises here since the recycling campaign started in March, says mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin.
He said this was a positive sign and hoped that awareness of the campaign among traders and eatery operators would increase.
Rumaizi added that those who collected used cooking oil would get cash from the two companies appointed by the city council to handle the campaign.
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“This is just the start. We are at the level of (educating the business community and public) and will move up to the enforcement level in the long run.
“This campaign is to create awareness among traders and the people that they should not throw used cooking oil down the drain, but instead recycle it for cash," he told reporters at the official launching of the campaign at the Dato Sagor food court square here on Friday (July 28).
Rumaizi said the council also encouraged households to do the same, instead of just discarding the used oil.
“We are also starting early with information campaigns in several schools.
“Many countries, including our neighbour Singapore, have enforced a law preventing people from discarding used oil in public places.
“We are not taking this drastic step yet, so we have started the awareness campaign to educate the people," he added.
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He hoped the city's circular economy plan, which works on the "waste to wealth" concept, would stimulate the overall economy while giving small industries and traders the opportunity to participate in recycling activities.
A circular economy aims to reduce the use of materials and redesigns materials, products and services to be less resource-intensive.
It recaptures waste as a resource to manufacture new materials and products.
Rumaizi also hoped the programme would help Ipoh become a sustainable, inclusive and smart city with efficient carbon management, contributing to reducing the impact of global warming and climate change.
“Food premises operators must be made aware of the importance of having grease traps to overcome the issue of clogged drainage systems when irresponsible parties directly throw used cooking oil into drains.
“This not only creates a stench, but also causes the drains to clog, which then leads to flash floods and other issues," he added.
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Rumaizi said about 95% of the 2,926 food premises and cafes within the council's jurisdiction have complied by installing grease straps.
“However, checks found that at some premises, the management of the used cooking oil, the method of installing the traps, as well as their cleaning and maintenance, could be improved," he added.
Up to June 30, he said 525 premises were checked for compliance on grease traps, and 43 compound notices worth a total of RM10,600 were issued to premises that failed to abide by the rules.
