PETRON ENCOURAGES RESPONSIBLE E-WASTE DISPOSAL
A Collaboration with the Selangor Department of Environment (DOE) for the Advancement of Malaysia’s E-Waste Management
KUALA LUMPUR – We live in a modern world where appliances make our lives much more manageable. However, when they become waste, these toxicants can be released into the environment if not treated, disposed of, or recycled properly. To inculcate sustainable practices of e-waste disposal in the community, Petron Malaysia collaborated with the Selangor Department of Environment (DOE) to promote e-waste recycling.
“In Malaysia, our e-waste surpasses the weight of the iconic Twin Tower, exceeding 365,000 tonnes annually. This will only continue to rise as the country grows. Today, we are pleased to work with DOE Selangor to broaden the scope and accessibility of e-waste collection in our community. Since 2021, Petron’s employees have internally collected 4,500 kg of e-waste from various operational activities. We hope today’s collaboration provides our customers with easy and convenient collection points for e-waste disposal through our service station network,” said Shaliza Mohd Sidek, Head of Retail Business.
The first joint e-waste collection drive by Petron and DOE Selangor was at Petron Rinching service station, Semenyih, on 22 June 2024, jointly officiated by Selangor Public Health Exco YB Puan Jamaliah Jamaluddin, DOE Selangor Director Pn Nor Aziah binti Jaafar, and Petron Malaysia Head of Retail Business Shaliza Mohd Sidek. Residents in nearby Semenyih brought their unwanted or obsolete electronics and electrical waste to the service station. An appointed DOE-licensed e-waste company exchanged the items for cash and ensured that the collected e-waste is appropriately disposed of or recycled.
“Nowadays, we rely a lot on electrical and electronic goods in our daily lives. But, as a reminder to all of us to manage e-waste responsibly, if e-waste is not managed properly, such as thrown in the trash, disposed of not in a special landfill or burned at will, it can cause environmental pollution and affect human health. This is due to the toxicity of metals or chemicals from e-waste that is not handled properly. Today, I am very pleased and excited because PETRON has taken up this challenge with the State Government to make this pilot project successful. I hope that this initiative can go smoothly and further raise awareness among the people of Selangor about the responsibility of preserving the environment through good e-waste management, at the same time as a way of life and culture,” said YB Puan Jamaliah Jamaluddin, Public Health and Environment Exco of Selangor, also as the Assemblyman of Bandar Utama, Selangor.
Petron Malaysia has also called upon all its employees from various locations, including the Kuala Lumpur Head Office and Port Dickson Refinery, to actively participate in this e-waste collection initiative. The programme started with an e-waste awareness talk from a representative of Selangor DOE, followed by a collection of e-waste by all Petron employees from 30 May to 22 June 2024.
“According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), electronic waste (e-waste) is the world’s fastest-growing solid waste stream[1]if we continuously fail to recycle the e-waste responsibly. In that case, it will become a severe pollutant that impact people’s health in exposed areas as it can take thousands of years to decompose. Therefore, we urge the public to responsibly dispose of their e-waste using designated collection points or recycling facilities. By doing so, we can mitigate the adverse effects on human health and the environment, paving the way for a cleaner and healthier future for all,” stated Pn Nor Aziah binti Jaafar, Director of DOE Selangor.
Petron is working towards a circular economy, promoting responsible use of resources and minimising its environmental impact through efficient waste management. This is fully in line with its commitment to one of its focus areas: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 17: Partnership For the Goals.