GEORGE TOWN has been categorised as ‘clean’ by the Tourism Ministry, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

“We received a letter on Jan 10 from the Tourism Ministry informing us that the inner city has been categorised as clean.

“But I am not sure if any other cities have also been categorised as clean,” he told reporters after launching the the Zero Waste Carnival in Taman Bagan Lalang, Butterworth, recently.

In his speech at the event, Lim said Penangites dispose of an average of 1.2kg of waste each day, and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) had budgeted RM103.5mil and RM102.17mil respectively to manage solid waste this year.

“Penang recorded the highest recycling rate in the country at 38%, way above the national recycling rate of 21%.

“Seberang Prai has done well with an increase in recycling rate from 22% in 2008 to 42% last year,” he said.

MPSP president Datuk Rozali Mohamud, who was also present, said at present, there are 69 recycling centres in Seberang Prai.

“Besides being a recycling centre, the one in Taman Bagan Lalang also serves as a resource centre which produces compost.

“A compost-producing machine has been installed at the centre and it receives organic waste from Taman Desa Oren and six restaurants nearby.

“About 10 tonnes of food waste had been collected from the restaurants since September last year,” he said.

Also present was state Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh and MPSP councillor Tan Chee Teong.