Participants urged to drop single-use plastics, curb food wastage and maintain cleanliness
GEORGE TOWN: This Thaipusam, devotees are being challenged to go beyond rituals and reduce waste.
Local authorities, a consumer group and two Hindu organisations are urging worshippers to ditch single-use plastics, curb food wastage and clean up after themselves, turning the festival into a celebration of environmental responsibility.
“We want Thaipusam to reflect not just devotion and discipline, but also responsibility towards the environment,” Penang Island City Council (PICC) mayor Datuk A. Rajendran told a press conference on Wednesday.
The call was made jointly by PICC, Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP), Malaysia Hindu Sangam Penang State Council and the Penang Hindu Association.
“We urge devotees and organisations to reduce food wastage, avoid littering and replace single-use plastics with reusable and eco-friendly alternatives. This aligns with the spirit of International Zero Waste Month observed in January,” the groups said collectively.
They said large quantities of food are wasted each year during Thaipusam despite well-intentioned charitable efforts by NGOs and volunteers who provide free meals and drinks through thanneer panthals and annadanam.
While welcoming these initiatives, the groups urged food providers to serve smaller portions, distribute only one portion per person and replenish supplies as needed to prevent waste.
“There will be no shortage of food for devotees and mindful distribution would help prevent unnecessary wastage. Devotees are also reminded to take only what they can consume.
“Wasting food, especially that which is offered in goodwill, contradicts the values of the festival and contributes to avoidable waste.”
The groups also encouraged replacing single-use plates, cups and cutlery with reusable options such as metal utensils.
“If this is not possible, leaves may be used as plates,” they said, adding that many stalls would serve drinks in reusable cups.
Rajendran said PICC would be enhancing waste management during Thaipusam, adding that previous celebrations generated about 100 tonnes of solid waste, including 20 to 30 tonnes of food waste on Thaipusam day alone.
A pilot project will see a food waste separator machine deployed, with leftovers placed only in labelled bins along procession routes.
“This is expected to reduce food waste sent to landfill by 50% to 60%, while dried food waste will be turned into compost,” he said.
The council will also collect coconut waste for conversion into green alternative fuel, while leftover milk will be processed to generate biogas.
Rajendran reminded the public that stricter anti-littering laws are in force, with offenders liable to fines of up to RM250 under Section 47(1) of the Road, Drainage and Building Act.
“Indiscriminate waste disposal affects environmental quality, public health and the cleanliness of our cities,” he said.
Thaipusam, which falls on Feb 1 this year, is celebrated by Hindus worldwide. Devotees observe vows that include fasting, prayers, rituals and pilgrimages to temples.
Rituals usually involve carrying offerings, performing kavadi attam (ceremonial burden dance) or bearing pots of milk as symbols of purity and gratitude.
In Malaysia, major celebrations take place at Batu Caves in Selangor and the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple in Penang, also known as the Waterfall Hilltop Temple, which is widely regarded as one of the largest Lord Murugan temples outside India, featuring a seven-storey gopuram and a 513-step climb to the hilltop shrine.
Thaipusam processions in Penang involve two chariots, the Silver Chariot and the Gold Chariot.
The Silver Chariot, run by the Nattukottai Chettiar community, is 132 years old and departs from Kovil Veedu Temple in Lebuh Penang.
The Gold Chariot, introduced in 2017 by the Penang Hindu Endowment Board, departs from the Arulmigu Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Lebuh Queen.
Representatives at Wednesday’s press conference included CAP senior education officer N.V. Subbarow, Malaysia Hindu Sangam Penang State Council chairman A. Tharman and Penang Hindu Association president Datuk P. Murugiah.
