THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has successfully collected 20,000 kg of used cooking oil since the launch of its initiative in August this year.
MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran shared that the council began this initiative at Cecil Market before expanding it to Tanjung Bungah Market.
“For the Cecil Market initiative, we collaborated with Petronas, and now we are working with Arus to collect and manage used cooking oil at Tanjung Bungah Market,” he said after the launch of the used cooking oil collection centre at Tanjung Bungah Market.
Rajendran added that the council is open to collaborating with other vendors for the collection and management of used cooking oil.
He also mentioned that Arus Oil would partner with its counterpart in Singapore to recycle the collected oil into biodiesel.
“We have received an overwhelming response from the hawkers, and we expect continued support for this initiative,” Rajendran said, emphasising the importance of managing used cooking oil properly to prevent clogged drains and maintain cleanliness.
Rajendran noted that this initiative aligns with the state’s sustainability and greenery agenda.
The initiative, spearheaded by MBPP councillor Lee Seng Hwai and the Tanjung Bungah Village Community Management Council (MPKK), has garnered positive feedback from local hawkers.
Lee explained that used cooking oil collection would begin in February next year, with pickups scheduled for the first Thursday of each month from 6pm to 7pm. Arus Oil will collect the oil for a fee of RM3 per kg.
In addition, Rajendran mentioned that MBPP has established 24 recycling centres on Penang Island as part of its efforts to introduce proper equipment for managing food waste.
Story and pix by Edmund Lee