A council staff member (left) explaining waste separation measures to the residents during the launch at Astaka Batu Maung, Penang.

BATU MAUNG is the first constituency in Penang to officially launch the waste separation at source policy, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

“We plan to create awareness about the new way of managing waste in all the constituencies within the next three to four months.

“It’s important that the people are aware of it,” he said in his opening speech during the launch near Astaka Batu Maung last Saturday.

He added that if the programme was implemented properly, it would save the state the funds used to manage the waste each year.

State Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said Management Corporation (MC) or Joint Management Body (JMB) would be responsible for the collection of recyclable waste from high-rise buildings.

“They can either work with non-governmental organisations or registered recycling companies to manage it. It is up to the MC or JMB to coordinate the collection,” he said.

Chow said the public would be given about one to two years to familiarise with the waste segregation practice.

He urged the media to play a role in spreading the basics of how the policy should be carried out.

Also present was Batu Maung assemblyman Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim.

As a symbolic gesture during the launch, Lim, Chow and Malik disposed several transparent bags of waste into a communal bin.

From June 1, all types of household wastes are required to be separated in an effort to promote a healthier and cleaner environment in the state.