George town: As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainable waste management, the Penang City Council (MBPP) will implement several initiatives aimed at managing food and organic waste during the Thaipusam celebration on February 1. Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran highlighted the substantial waste generated during the festival, with previous data indicating around 100 tonnes of solid waste, including an estimated 20 to 30 tonnes of food waste, accumulated during Thaipusam's peak days on the island.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Rajendran emphasized the cultural and religious significance of Thaipusam in Penang, noting the large amount of waste produced in a short period. In response, MBPP will introduce initiatives such as processing food waste along Jalan Utama, converting coconut waste into green fuel, and treating milk waste using an Anaerobic Digester (AD).

Rajendran explained that MBPP would pilot a food waste separator machine and urged all panthals offering food to the public to dispose of waste in designated bins throughout Thaipusam. The green bins will be collected by MBPP workers and taken to Jalan Utama for processing. The machine separates food waste into water, used oil, and dry food waste, with the expectation of reducing food waste by 50 to 60 percent. The dry food waste will be processed into compost, supporting the circular economy policy.

Previously disposed of at landfills, coconut waste will now serve as alternative fuel, with approximately 30 to 40 tonnes expected to be converted. Regarding milk waste, Rajendran stated that MBPP had informed the Hindu Endowment Board to send it to Ampang Jajar for processing using the AD to generate green energy.

Furthermore, MBPP plans to deploy nine enforcement officers for anti-littering monitoring from January 31 to February 3 and provide 27 additional waste bins at key locations along the procession route and temple areas. An educational enforcement approach will be adopted to raise public awareness of cleanliness during the festival. Violators caught littering may face fines ranging from RM250 to RM500 under Section 47(1) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974.