The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has signed a landmark agreement with Nestle, one of the world’s top food producers, to collaborate on recycling efforts among landed and strata home dwellers. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) aims to consolidate ties between the two parties through joint efforts to conserve the environment. The campaign will focus on encouraging recycling and separation of waste, particularly in landed and strata housing areas.
The MoU comes on the back of the reactivation of the waste separation enforcement effort, which was previously halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The council is now focused on both landed and strata housing to double the number of ratepayers involved in recycling with Nestle’s assistance. The waste separation effort aims to reduce the amount of solid waste sent to dumping grounds, which are currently under siege due to an influx of waste.
The collaboration will initially focus on selected housing areas, including Island Glades, Island Park, and Avar at Sri Tanjung Pinang, as well as high-rise locations such as Quayside and Tamarind condominiums. Plans are underway to extend the campaign to additional areas, involving over 13,000 households across 39 condominium units and 2 landed residential areas.
Nestle will assist MBPP in generating an effective recycling campaign, building on their existing door-to-door collection and recycling project. The company aims to drive impactful initiatives that reduce waste, promote recycling, and set the stage for a more sustainable nation.
As of last November, MBPP reported that 125.5 tons of recycled waste were collected, including 19 tons of plastic recyclables. The council is working to expand the collaboration with Nestle and achieve a total buy-in from the community to recycle and manage waste better. With the Pulau Burung landfill, the central waste dump site for Penang, expected to reach capacity in 36 years, the need for effective waste management and recycling is urgent.