PENANG Island City Council (MBPP) has been selected to implement a historic green initiative in Pulau Tikus, making it the first local authority in the country to adopt a zero-waste district concept.
Besides Pulau Tikus, an upper-middle-income suburb, the other initiative under the Kuala Lumpur City Hall is the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC).
MBPP, in a statement, said that it was selected to undertake the zero-waste district concept following the conclusion of the International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (IGEM) 2026 and Kuala Lumpur Sustainability Summit (KLSS) by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof last week.
The conference was held under the theme 'Race Towards Net Zero: Action Towards Boundaries'.
MBPP president, Datuk Anthony Rajendran, said the undertaking is an important step towards a circular economy, efficient use of resources and resilience to fight climate change.
Zero-waste is defined as a philosophy and a set of practices aimed at eliminating waste, rather than managing it, by redesigning resource life cycles so that all products are reused, recycled, or composted.
The most widely accepted international definition comes from the Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA).
As the first implementer of the concept in the country, MBPP will adopt an integrated approach in preventing waste, rehabilitation of resources, climate action plans and engaging the community to be responsible ratepayers.
This year, MBPP was recognised as among the top 20 zero waste cities by the Zero Waste Foundation.
Pulau Tikus will be showcased as a live laboratory for zero waste by merging the prevention of waste, segregation at its source, rehabilitating organic waste, and recycling - all under the premise of a circular economy.
MBPP will also focus on waste segregation at its root - households and commercial establishments besides small and medium industries.
MBPP hopes that Pulau Tikus can become a starting point for zero waste to be adopted throughout the state. - October 12, 2026.