Jelutong Landfill

Jelutong Landfill (11 March 2021)


Jelutong Landfill (GPS: 5.39096, 100.32354) is the main garbage dump on Penang Island. Located on the west coast of the island, the landfill has been a major eyesore and potential health threat, considering its proximity to many residential development taking shape in Bandar Sri Pinang in Jelutong.

The Jelutong Landfill is one of the older refuse disposal site in Penang, having been created at a time when the area was still undeveloped. It was a place where Penangites "don't see and hence they don't know". However the burgeoning growth of George Town has now engulfed the landfill, so that what was once out of sight and mind is today in full view. And not a pretty sight too.

On numerous occasions, the Jelutong Landfill caught fire from the methane gas emitting from the refuse, sending toxic fumes into the air. When a similar landfill at the Pulau Burung sanitary landfill in Nibong Tebal was detected to leek leachate into the water, it caused the fishermen of the area to stage a demonstration.

Containing the garbage issue has been a pressing concern of any local government in Penang. In an effort to reduce refuse, the present administration spearheaded the ban of free plastic bags at all Penang supermarkets. The ban was extended to polystyrene (styrofoam food containers) beginning 1 January 2012, a move welcomed by the Consumer Association of Penang. Critics are skeptical how much this will actually reduce the waste generated by Penangites.

Rather than blaming the government - any government - for landfills, the people of Penang should accept that refuse is the byproduct of our modern lifestyle, and the environment cannot unconditionally accept everything that we discard.

Updates

2 March 2020
The Star reports that the Jelutong Landfill will be transformed into prime coastal real estate, in a joint development agreement between PLB Engineering Berhad and the Penang Development Corporation.

24 January 2019
The Star reports that the Jelutong landfill is set to become Penang's latest "real estate goldmine".

2 June 2012: The Jelutong Landfill again caught fire, sending firemen to the site. They pumped water from the sea to put of the fire. According to Penang Island Municipal Council secretary Ang Aing Thye, it was a peat fire.

25 May, 2012: The Penang Government has identified Batu Maung as the most likely site for a new waste transfer station, to reduce the backlog at the Ampang Jajar station in Seberang Perai. There, the refuse will be compressed before being shipped across the channel to Pulau Burung.

Jelutong Landfill is on the Map of the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway

Jelutong Landfill is on the Map of Jelutong

Jelutong Landfill (25 May 2012)

360° View of the Jelutong Landfill on Google Street View