The project ran from August 2002 to January 2004. The overall objective was to upgrade living conditions and improve waste disposal practices by promoting recycling through a pro-poor PPP approach. The project focused on awareness-raising, training communities on waste separation, raising capacity among the stakeholders involved, and implementation in three pilot areas selected for their differing social and physical characteristics.
1. Kampung Seronok is a traditional Malay urban village in the city consisting mainly of lower income residents. The hygiene and waste management condition of the area is generally good but there is no organized recycling activity.
2. Weld Quay clan jetties residents/TOL settlers and inner city residents consists of a cluster of residents living in wooden houses built on stilts along jetties that abut the coast. Residents are mainly low-income wage earners, hawkers and small traders. Rubbish and waste handling is a big issue as many residents have over the years developed a habit of throwing rubbish into the sea just below their houses.
3. Alor Vista flats (low cost high-rise building) is a newly completed complex of low- medium cost flats. Such housing for lower and middle-income groups is very characteristic of Penang.
The project was implemented by a Penang organization called SERI (Socio-economic and Environmental Research Institute).
Partners | Roles and responsibilities |
Designed the project and was the main implementing agency. Was not foreseen to play a long-term role in the PPP arrangements. | |
Private recycling company | Chosen during the project to buy separated waste from pilot areas. |
Government of Penang | Generally to take part and support the project. To connect the initiative to wider approaches to solid waste management. |
3 Pilot Areas - residents associations, owners, other representatives | Pilot project areas in which waste separation, collection and sale PPPs were implemented. |