Drive-thru kiosk for recyclables

By admin on November 27th, 2009

A SHOPPING complex in Butterworth has come up with a first of its kind environmental-friendly effort in the northern region — a drive-through counter for residents to drop off their household recyclable items.

Sunway Carnival Mall Seberang Jaya in Bandar Sunway recently opened a Recycling Buy Back Centre outside its premises for the convenience of motorists who wish to sell or donate recyclable materials.

Its centre manager Chow Heng Wah said the kiosk, which opens from 10am to 6pm every Wednesday to Monday including public holidays, was believed to be the first of its kind in the northern region.

It would make it faster and easier for consumers to manage their recyclable wastes, Chow said.

Go green: Phee (left) receiving a bag of recyclable items from a motorist during the opening of the kiosk near the loading bay of Sunway Carnival Mall in Butterworth. (The Star)

‘‘The kiosk is located near our loading bay, between the Billion shopping centre and our mall.

“Those using it need not pay any parking fee to use this particular stretch. It is accessible from Jalan Todak 2,’’ he said during the opening of the kiosk on Sunday.

Chow said the kiosk, set up in collaboration with the Seberang Prai Municipal Council Local Agenda 21 (LA 21) initiative and ESH Resource Management Sdn Bhd, would accept paper, aluminium cans, glass bottles, carton boxes, books, magazines and plastic ware.

He said a price list for the different recyclable items was displayed at the kiosk, adding that the weighing of the items and payment would be done on the spot at the counter.

The trade-in price for the items is in accordance to the prices offered at market value.

State Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh, who opened the kiosk, said the buyback centre would be a pilot project in the state, adding that he anticipated other shopping centres to follow suit.

‘‘Without the support of the people as well as the private sector, the government will not be able to succeed in its initiatives to help protect the environment.

“The people should think before they throw away their wastes.

Many of the items can be recycled,’’ he said.