The United Nations Development Programme together with the Municipality of Penang Island (MPPP) and the State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN) held a seminar entitled “Solid Waste Management: Are We Heading in the Right Direction?” on 7 November 2006.

The seminar was part of a series of activities under the “Structuring and Institutionalising Solid Waste Management Project”. The project was launched in January 2006 and is a collaborative project between Penang State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN), the Federal Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and UNDP with active involvement of the two local authorities, Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang (MPPP) and Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Prai (MPSP).

The seminar, held at the Bayview Hotel, Georgetown, Penang was officiated by Dato’ Dr. Teng Hock Nan, Penang State Exco for Local Government, Environment and Traffic Management Committee.

 Presentations included

• Solid Waste Management Practice by LA’s – Are we in the right direction? by Hj. Zulkifli b. Zakaria, Assistant Director of MPPP’s Urban Services Department
• Bali – Appropriate waste management within the context of Kyoto by Dr. Robert Eden, MB Technology (M) Sdn. Bhd
• Resource recovery centre – Malaysia’s experience by Dr. Noor Hisham Ramly, Recycle Energy Sdn. Bhd; and
• Impact of Thermal Treatment Plants by Yg. Berbahagia Dato’ Dr. Ong Hean Tee, Chairman of the Penang Environmental Working Group (PEWOG)

The seminar was aimed at developing the capacity of the private and public organisations involved in Solid Waste Management for the State and to further encourage discussions on the topic among stakeholders.

The seminar provided participants with an overview of the current practice of waste management in Penang in addition to identifying alternative methods for the current solid waste management system. The seminar also provided a platform to promote a better understanding of the importance of an improved solid waste management system for the state.

The seminar was attended by the Deputy Director (Macro) of UPEN, Puan Hafidzah Hassan, MPPP Secretary, Mr. Ooi Chin Loo, and representatives from the Government, NGOs, CSOs, private sector practitioners, and academia.

News of the seminar was published in The Star.