Less waste makes the world go round

Rozali (in white songkok) launching the Sustainable Community Awards 2020 competition at the MBSP headquarters in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam. With him are (from right) MBSP secretary Rosnani Mahmod, Lee and his wife Datin Tan Kim Hiang.

INSTEAD of the conventional linear economic models of ‘take, make, dispose’, the Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) is emphasising a circular economy that improves the efficiency of urban and rural operations.

MBSP mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud said a roadmap for the circular economy was being prepared and expected to be launched in December this year.

In a circular economy, products, components and resources are designed to be maintained, reused, re-manufactured and recycled to minimise waste.

“A circular economy has great potential and is an alternative to today’s linear business model.

“It also leads to sustainable production and use, ” he said during the launch of the Sustainable Community Award 2020 event at the council’s headquarters in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam on Saturday.

It was reported earlier that MBSP would prepare a roadmap for a circular economy aimed at strengthening efforts to make Seberang Prai a low-carbon city by 2022, neutral-carbon city by 2030, and zero-carbon city by 2050.

For the Sustainable Community Award 2020, Amphenol TCS (Malaysia) will be the event sponsor for the third consecutive time.

The registration for participation and submission of reports will be open until Nov 31.

Interested groups or communities must submit their organisation profiles, community initiatives towards sustainability, progress and certification.

The evaluation and presentation of prizes will take place in December.

Rozali urged registered Residents’ Associations, Rukun Tetangga (RT), Village Community Management Councils (MPKK), Joint Management Bodies (JMB), Management Corporations (MC), Environmental Resource Centres and mosques to take part in the award.

Amphenol TCS (Malaysia) group manager Datuk Lee Teong Li, in his speech, said the council had been actively upgrading and promoting green initiatives which were in line with the state’s objective of making Penang a green state.

“Sustainable community award is one of the programmes to recognise the commitment and initiatives carried out by the community in improving the quality of environment and sustainable community.

“I am very impressed with the great ideas and involvement of the communities and improvement they have made, all the creative thinking, the commitment from the local council in supporting the community to move forward, ” he added.

Those interested in taking part in the award can contact the Unit Eko Komuniti, Jabatan Kemasyarakatan at 04-5497487 or email [e-mail] to obtain the entry forms.

The top four winners will take home RM3,000, RM2,500, RM2,000 and RM1,000 respectively.

There will also be 14 consolation prizes worth RM500 each.

All the winners will each receive a certificate of appreciation.