Batteries, bulbs and used cooking oil in Penang: where they go

The short version

Batteries and fluorescent tubes are household hazardous waste. Penang Green Council says Penang has no treatment facility for them, so take them to the councils' designated collection points.
Island drop-off points (as listed in July 2024): Pusat Kitar Semula Taman Serena, Jelutong, and the MBPP JPP store on Jalan Sungai.
Mainland drop-off points (as listed in July 2024): MBSP's Menara Bandaraya in Bukit Mertajam, and its Jawi, Butterworth and Jalan Betek offices.
Tape both ends of every battery. Wrap tubes in their box or in paper.
Used cooking oil can be sold: The Star reported RM3 per kg at MBPP's drive at Taman Serina in August 2026.

Batteries and fluorescent tubes

Penang Green Council's FAQ explains that used batteries containing cadmium, nickel, mercury or lithium are scheduled waste code SW103, and waste containing mercury, such as fluorescent tubes and lamps, is SW109. It says there is no regulation yet for household hazardous waste in Malaysia, and that Penang has no treatment facilities to handle it. It asks residents to drop these off at the collection points set up by both councils.

Area	Drop-off point (as listed in July 2024)
Island	Pusat Kitar Semula Taman Serena, Jelutong, near Astaka Taman Serena
Island	Stor JPP MBPP, Jalan Sungai
Mainland	Majlis Bandaraya Seberang Perai, Menara Bandaraya, Jalan Perda Utama, Bandar Perda, 14000 Bukit Mertajam
Mainland	Pejabat Cawangan MBSP Jawi, 14200 Sungai Jawi
Mainland	Kompleks Mahkamah Municipal Seberang Perai, Jalan Kg. Jawa, Taman Jawa, 12000 Butterworth
Mainland	Pejabat Cawangan MBSP Jalan Betek, Kawasan Perniagaan Sungai Rambai, 14000 Bukit Mertajam

How to pack them

Fluorescent tubes and lamps: pack them in the original box, or wrap them in newspaper or paper.
Batteries: cover both the positive (+) and negative (-) ends of every battery with masking tape or any tape, so they cannot touch.

The FAQ gives no opening hours for any of these points, so call the council before you bring anything.

Source: Penang Green Council FAQ, read 2026-10-14.

Power banks and phone batteries

Penang Green Council's definition of SW103 includes batteries containing lithium. Penang Green Council names no separate drop-off point for power banks. Use the council points above, or ask an e-waste collector: see E-waste in Penang.

Used cooking oil

Do not pour it down the drain. In December 2024, MBPP's mayor said used cooking oil that is not properly disposed of ends up in public drains or at the Pulau Burong landfill.

Where to take it

Where	What the source says
Trash for Cash Hub 3R @ Taman Serina, Sungai Pinang (MBPP)	The 30 August 2026 drive bought used cooking oil at RM3 per kg (The Star, September 2026)
Tanjung Bungah Market (MBPP with Arus Oil)	From February 2025, the public could sell used cooking oil to Arus Oil for RM3 per kg, on the first Thursday of every month, 6pm to 7pm (The Star, December 2024)
Lebuh Cecil Market	MBPP's first collection hub, set up with Petronas (The Star, December 2024)

Penang Green Council's FAQ (as listed in July 2024) also names these used cooking oil collectors and collection points, mostly on the mainland: Tzu Chi Tambun Indah (Simpang Ampat), Tzu Chi Sungai Rambai (Bukit Mertajam), Pusat Sumber Alam Sekitar SPU (Taman Bagan Lalang), Sustainable BioFuels Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Simpang Ampat), Golden Oil Enterprise (Sungai Bakap) and Fatbusta (Asia Pacific) Sdn Bhd (Simpang Ampat). It says only used cooking oil is collected, not engine oil.

Schools on the island can also join MBPP's used cooking oil collection competition. The Star reported in July 2026 that 76 schools took part in 2025.

Sources: The Star, 25 September 2026, The Star, 31 December 2024, The Star, 1 July 2026 and Penang Green Council FAQ, read 2026-10-14.

Paint, solvents and other chemicals

Penang Green Council's FAQ does not say where old paint, solvents or household chemicals should go. Penang Green Council's general point stands: there is no regulation for household hazardous waste yet, and Penang has no treatment facility for it. Ask your council's Municipal Services Department before you throw any away: MBPP on 04-2633000, MBSP on 04-5497654 (both as listed by Penang Green Council in July 2024).