Volunteers use rickshaws to collect rubbish during Thaipusam
IPOH: Two rickshaws manned by volunteers will be collecting rubbish in a bid to keep the city clean and promote recycling during Thaipusam celebration here.
Koperasi Alam Hijau Perak Bhd (Kohijau), a non-governmental organisation, had prepared the rickshaws to collect both recyclable and non-recyclable items from the public.
Kohijau chairman Prof Dr Richard Ng said they wanted to encourage the people not to litter and to keep the city clean.
“They will be riding along the 3km procession route between Seri Kinta and the Kallumalai Arulmigu Subramaniar Temple at Gunung Cheroh here,” he said at the launch of the Kohijau-iCycle recycling reward point system by Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir at the temple here.
After Thaipusam celebrations, he said, the rickshaws would be used for the same purpose along Ipoh’s Heritage Trail during weekends.
The Kohijau-iCycle recycling reward point system allowed registered members, who recycled, to collect points which could be used to redeem goods.
Ng said the Ipoh City Council had prepared 50 rubbish bins to be placed every 50m along the procession route.
Rubbish collected from the rickshaw, he said, would be disposed into the bins which would be manned by volunteers.
“They will use whistles to attract people to throw garbage into them,” he added.
Zambry thanked the temple for allowing the recycling and cleanliness campaign to be held.
“It is the first time such a campaign was held at a temple here and the state would like to urge people to keep the state clean,” he said.
Zambry, his special adviser Datuk V. Elango, State Assembly Speaker S. Thangeswary and Ipoh mayor Datuk Zamri Man went on a walkabout around the premises after the launch.