Poor response to recycling
About 70,000 computers are disposed of on Penang island annually, but only 1,000 are sent to computer recycling centres.
Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said the bulk of the used computer parts ended up in rivers, landfills, backyards, and even in drains.
“Apparently the response to the computer recycling programme on the island is quite poor,” he told a press conference yesterday.
This is despite the fact that computer manufacturer Dell, together with Sunshine Wholesale Mart, had initiated a computer-recycling programme in 2003.
Recyclable computer parts:Yong(left)shaking hands with Dr Teng during the press conference.With them is Sunshine Wholesale Mart. To enhance the programme, Dell is adding seven new collection centres to the existing three with the co-operation of the Penang Muni-cipal Council (MPPP).
The new collection centres are the MPPP store in Kampung Jawa Baru, a centre outside MPPP premises in the Esplanade, MPPP containers on Jalan Chai and Jalan Oldham, the Island Park recycling centre, Jalan Datuk Keramat (behind the former Federal cinema) and Taman Guan Joo Seng in front of Convent Green Lane.
The three existing collection centres are at Dell Bayan Lepas, Sunshine Jelutong and Sunshine Farlim.
Dell engineering director K.Y. Yong said a RM5 Sunshine voucher would be offered for every 10kg of computer parts sent to the designated recycling centres following a specified collection schedule.
Yong said 95% of computer com-ponents could be reused, recycled and reprocessed.
On another matter, Dr Teng said the state had yet to receive any information on whether the Federal Government was considering the use of incinerators to manage waste in Penang.
“As far as Penangites are con-cerned, whatever methods used must be environmental friendly, affordable and socially acceptable,” he said.
He said concerns over who would absorb the cost and who would foot the maintenance bill must also be addressed.
About 70,000 computers are disposed of on Penang island annually, but only 1,000 are sent to computer recycling centres.
Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said the bulk of the used computer parts ended up in rivers, landfills, backyards, and even in drains.
“Apparently the response to the computer recycling programme on the island is quite poor,” he told a press conference yesterday.
This is despite the fact that computer manufacturer Dell, together with Sunshine Wholesale Mart, had initiated a computer-recycling programme in 2003.
Recyclable computer parts:Yong(left)shaking hands with Dr Teng during the press conference.With them is Sunshine Wholesale Mart. To enhance the programme, Dell is adding seven new collection centres to the existing three with the co-operation of the Penang Muni-cipal Council (MPPP).
The new collection centres are the MPPP store in Kampung Jawa Baru, a centre outside MPPP premises in the Esplanade, MPPP containers on Jalan Chai and Jalan Oldham, the Island Park recycling centre, Jalan Datuk Keramat (behind the former Federal cinema) and Taman Guan Joo Seng in front of Convent Green Lane.
The three existing collection centres are at Dell Bayan Lepas, Sunshine Jelutong and Sunshine Farlim.
Dell engineering director K.Y. Yong said a RM5 Sunshine voucher would be offered for every 10kg of computer parts sent to the designated recycling centres following a specified collection schedule.
Yong said 95% of computer com-ponents could be reused, recycled and reprocessed.
On another matter, Dr Teng said the state had yet to receive any information on whether the Federal Government was considering the use of incinerators to manage waste in Penang.
“As far as Penangites are con-cerned, whatever methods used must be environmental friendly, affordable and socially acceptable,” he said.
He said concerns over who would absorb the cost and who would foot the maintenance bill must also be addressed.
