KOTA BHARU - Bandar Kota Bharu is experiencing an increase in trash of up to 23 per cent every day during Ramadan this year compared to normal days.
The Kota Bharu Municipal Council-Islamic City (MPKB-BRI) chairman Rosnazli Amin said the significant increase was due to people buying food from restaurants or Ramadan Bazaars that comes with packaging, especially plastic.
"These packaging causes the amount of trash collected to increase to 430 tons per day during the fasting month.
"The amount is 23 per cent more than the 350 tons of trash per day during normal days," he told reporters here today.
He said the number was expected to increase more with the disposal of permanent waste such as furniture a week before Raya.
"People clean their houses when it is almost Hari Raya and there will be some who replace their furnitures and throws away old ones such as sofas, dining tables and carpets.
"The garbage is dumped in the normal dumping grounds in residential areas or flats which will cause problems because the garbage truck will be damaged if it carries them," he said.
In responds to that, the council for the first time in conjunction with Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year provides a service to transport these permanent waste with a low charge rate of around RM10 to RM30.
"Those who need this service can contact MPKB-BRI. Insya-Allah the waste will be picked up and disposed of in the right place within a week after the call.
"We also intend to continue this service during normal hours by renting appropriate trucks," he said.
He added that the trash collection schedule in the district is divided to three zones and management in two zones has been privatised.
"We hope people can throw their trash in the garbage bins provided. MPKB-BRI will have to use shovel machines and trucks to collect garbage that is not thrown in the bins and the cost is expensive.
"So, dispose the garbage in the right way, which is by wrapping and tying the plastic bag neatly before throwing it in the bin to avoid trash from scattering," he said.