George Town: The Penang Island City Council has launched a green drive to process food waste generated at Ramadan bazaars into compost and biodiesel, as up to 30 tonnes of refuse are collected daily across the island, New Straits Times reported.
Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said waste from 26 Ramadan bazaars amounts to an estimated 900 tonnes over the fasting month. To manage the volume, the council has installed a food waste processing machine at the Bayan Putra Ramadan Bazaar near Queensbay Mall.
The machine separates discarded food into oil, fine solid particles and water. The solid portion is converted into compost, while used cooking oil is channelled for biodiesel production in partnership with Petronas.
Rajendran said the initiative is aimed at reducing the amount of organic waste sent to landfills while promoting proper waste separation among traders and visitors. He noted that more consumers are now using designated waste segregation bins, but added that public awareness efforts will continue.
Apart from Bayan Putra, segregation bins have also been placed at Masjid Umar Ibnu Al-Khattab in Bayan Baru, Balik Pulau, Prangin Mall and Jalan Mahkamah in Bayan Lepas. The council plans to expand the programme to additional locations next year.
While focusing on sustainability, Rajendran said Ramadan bazaars remain a significant contributor to the local economy. This year, 1,481 stalls have been approved, with the bazaars projected to generate around RM75 million in economic activity and create about 5,000 jobs.
To support traders, the council has maintained licensing and garbage collection fees at approximately RM3 per day per stall. On food safety, the council is working with the State Health Department to ensure compliance with hygiene standards, including typhoid vaccinations and the use of protective clothing.
Rajendran added that stall owners are required to be present at their premises and ensure that cooking is carried out by local workers, although foreign assistants may handle certain tasks. He said enforcement measures are taken only after efforts to educate and advise traders who fail to comply with regulations.
