More than 3,000 residents in 529 units of the People's Housing Programme flats in Jalan Sungai, Penang, have been urged to recycle, starting with separating their waste at source.

Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Maimunah Mohd Sharif said their effort could help raise Penang island's current 28% recycling rate higher, hopefully to 30% by year-end.

"The recycling habit should be instilled as part of our everyday chores, and keeping the surrounding clean should be the responsibility of everyone.

"Last year, an average of 1,909 tonnes of garbage were disposed in the state daily and 1,888 tonnes this year until June," she told the residents during a visit on Sunday.

Maimunah also urged the residents not to take waste separation lightly as the ruling had been enforced.

"The council inspected 6,531 houses and 2,516 had been issued notices for failing to comply with the waste separation ruling.

"For residential high-rises, we inspected 226 schemes and 88 were issued with notices.

"Since then, 19 of the 88 have started separating their waste at source" she said.

Also present was Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim.