THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has officially launched a new recycling centre and a ‘surau gazebo’ at Jalan Mahkamah in Bayan Lepas. The project’s aim is to promote sustainable waste management and provide a communal prayer space for residents.
The ceremony, officiated by MBPP mayor Datuk A Rajendran was attended by state and local representatives, including Penang State Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker and Bayan Lepas assemblyman Datuk Azrul Mahathir Aziz, along with MBPP councillors and Bayan Lepas Village Community Management Council (MPKK) members.
According to MBPP councillor Mohamed Yusoff Mohamed Noor, the Bayan Lepas MPKK will manage the recycling centre, providing a dedicated facility for residents to properly dispose of recyclable waste while generating income through collection and sales.
With Penang’s only landfill site at Pulau Burung facing increasing waste volumes, MBPP has been actively enforcing the Waste Separation at Source Policy since July 2024.
“Proper waste segregation is crucial to extending the lifespan of our landfill while fostering a culture of environmental responsibility,” Rajendran said.
He also highlighted that as of March 2025, 32 recycling centres have been established by MBPP councillors in line with state targets, contributing to an increase in the state’s recycling rate from 41.78% in 2023 to 43.72% in 2024.
Residents are encouraged to use the new recycling centre and continue practising waste separation at home to support Penang 2030’s vision of becoming a cleaner, greener and more sustainable state.
Story & pix by Lim Min Jun