Hands-on approach: Lim picking up garbage at the graves during Qing Ming in Batu Gantong, Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: The disposal of food containers and packaging materials during Qing Ming Festival (Chinese All Souls’ Day) has lessened over the years, according to Penang United Hokkien Cemeteries (UHC).
Its chairman Datuk Cheah Cheng Ean said the trend reflects rising environmental awareness and efforts to cut down waste, particularly from single-use plastics and non-biodegradable materials used in offerings.
He said air quality has significantly improved since the ban on lighting joss sticks in the columbarium section five years ago.
He added that banners and signboards have been placed throughout the cemeteries to encourage visitors to maintain cleanliness, and that the UHC plans to introduce waste segregation bins on the grounds next year.
“We spend an additional RM50,000 each year during Qing Ming on waste management.
“Although the actual amount spent has remained roughly the same over the years, the rising costs and currency depreciation mean we are actually spending less now.
“Our efforts to educate the public and encourage cooperation with the association’s ‘go green’ initiatives are still ongoing,” he said when met yesterday.
UHC manages five cemeteries spanning 215ha in Batu Gantong, Batu Lanchang, Paya Terubong, Mount Erskine and Teluk Bahang, with a total of about 88,000 graves.
Cheah said the UHC also employs additional workers to oversee cleanliness and help visitors clean up after prayers.
“It’s not easy to change age-old cultures and traditional practices, like leaving food behind after prayers.
“There have been times when families had voiced displeasure or reacted harshly to our workers after being advised to stop littering or excessive burning,” he said.
Cleaner Ow Teen Wang, 51, said he works extra hours for three weeks during the festival, clearing garbage and removing incense sticks from altars.
“It’s been 20 years since I started this job during Qing Ming, and plastic bags are still the most common trash.
“Fortunately, many families now take home their food containers and belongings, reducing rubbish left behind.”
Penang social development, welfare and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said waste management is an annual issue.
“We urge visitors to burn offerings in designated areas, minimise disposable plastic use and clean up the altar after rituals.
“Containers should not be left out as they may collect water and breed mosquitoes.
“As we progress, we should strive to be a civilised society and keep the graves of our departed loved ones clean,” she said.
Penang Island City Council public health and licensing chairman Tan Soo Siang said checks at several cemeteries found none was practising waste segregation at the source, a policy introduced in 2016 and enforced since 2017.
“Since many of the discarded items are aluminium cans, we plan to launch a collection drive during next year’s Qing Ming Festival.
“We’ll urge cemetery management to install more bins to encourage waste separation, which should boost recycling and cut down waste,” she said.
In adherence to Qing Ming or Tomb-Sweeping Day tradition, families are to honour their ancestors 10 days before or after the actual day, which was yesterday for this year, at cemeteries or columbariums.
