AFTER a successful ‘Trash Free Hill’ outing in Penang Hill last year, the same event this year netted a total of 480.61kg of rubbish with the support of almost 1,000 volunteers.
The one-day programme, which was aimed at clearing the attractive tourist spot from rubbish, was held for the second time in a row.
Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng praised those who came all the way to join in the event, especially on a Sunday.
He said many participants began to comb for rubbish at eight hiking trails, leading to Penang Hill as early as 7am before ending at around 1pm.
“It is a good initiative by the volunteers to come and assist in clearing the rubbish.
“PHC is also committed to the preservation and conservation of the natural ecosystem as it has become the responsibility of the public to emphasise the importance of cleanliness in Penang Hill.
“For the record, a total of 550 volunteers joined in the event last year before it attracted 1,000 people this year.
“It’s a remarkable and successful programme,” Cheok said in his speech at Penang Hill today.
The trash that was collected would then be sent for analysis.
Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng Soon Siang, who represented state Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh, also gave his thumbs up to the volunteers’ effort.
He lauded the call to safeguard the environment for the benefit of the community.
“I hope the trash collected will be reduced,” he said.
Cheok and Ng also thanked the sponsors and participants of the event.
Story and pix by Edmund Lee