Rumaizi (fifth from left) with representatives from Edsha, Biovisma, Thowlee and Tuck Soon — RONNIE CHIN/The Star
IPOH City Council (MBI) signed a memorandum of understanding with four companies to make its vision of establishing a viable circular economy in the city possible.
Mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said the MOU with the four recycling strategic partners was aimed at reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.
The agreements, he said, would emphasise the collection of old tyres, used cooking oil and ewaste materials that could be recycled and reused.
“The council has set a benchmark for Ipoh to be the cleanest city in Malaysia this year, and for it to be a low-carbon city by 2030.
“We hope this programme will assist Ipoh in becoming a sustainable city, transform its solid waste management, extend the lifespan of landfills as well as minimise the impact of global warming and climate change,” he said after the signing of the MOU at MBI office.
The four companies were Edsha Solutions Sdn Bhd, Thowlee Recycle Sdn Bhd, Tuck Soon Eco Resources Sdn Bhd and Biovisma Sdn Bhd.
A circular economy aims to reduce the use of materials and redesigns materials, products and services to be less resource intensive.
It recaptures “waste” as a resource to manufacture new materials and products.
Rumaizi said such programmes and activities were expected to make the vision of making Ipoh a smart city based on a sustainable ecosystem a reality.
He said the four companies had collected 116.7 tonnes of ewaste last year.
“A total of 103,517.23kg of used cooking oil and some 2,000 tonnes of used tyres were also collected last year,” he added.
Rumaizi hoped the cooperation with the four companies would enable Ipoh to achieve the goals it had set for itself. — By MANJIT KAUR
