Foodpanda: Illegal dump part of a bigger problem

The illegal dumping of foodpanda delivery carrier bags is part of a bigger problem, the company said.

"We launched an investigation into the alleged illegal dumping of foodpanda delivery bags, and understand that the bigger issue here is that these sites have been used as an illegal dumping ground for mass amounts of general waste for an extended period of time," the company said in a statement to Malaysiakini.

They were responding to an article concerning a "special delivery" it received from HELP University Arts and Communication Faculty Dean, Andy Hickson, who sent six carrier bags filled with garbage recovered from an illegal dumpsite near the Orang Asli hospital in Jalan Gombak.

On Nov 5 Malaysiakini had highlighted complaints from local residents and Hickson's discovery of the site, which prompted a promise from the management of foodpanda that it will launch an immediate investigation to remove the bags.

Two days later, English-daily The Star reported that the district's Public Works Department (PWD) has stepped up to clean the area - one of 10 illegal dumpsite hotspots along a 26km stretch along Jalan Gombak Lama-Bentong (FT068) under its administration.

Hickson, however, said his visit to the site last Saturday found little to no improvement, and he proceeded to take matters into his own hands.

Foodpanda in its statement said it was committed to working with suppliers to dispose and recycle their trash responsibly, and that it had "upcoming sustainability efforts and commitments".

It said it would also provide full assistance to the relevant authorities to tackle the immediate problem at hand, while supporting any long-term initiatives. - Mkini