Shahbandar Beach Cleanup Program, Tuaran
15 June 2024
A total of 70 volunteers from various ministries/ departments/ agencies under KSTI, such as JPSM, PNS, JPKN, SSTC, SabahNET, SCENIC, as well as local villagers, participated in the “Shahbandar Beach Cleanup Program, Tuaran” organized by Sabah Skills & Technology Centre (SSTC) in collaboration with Trash Hero Tuaran.
Approximately 256.4 kg of trash was collected. Education on Brand Marking was also provided to participants and volunteers to identify the brands that produce the most non-degradable bottles. Brands identified as significantly contributing to environmental pollution will be fined or notified to replace their bottles with eco-friendly alternatives to reduce environmental pollution.
It is hoped that initiatives like this will make the community more aware of cleanliness and prevent littering or leaving trash in beach areas to ensure the sustainability of the coastal/marine ecosystem for future generations.
Thank you to everyone who participated in this program.
ESG SUSTAINABILITY: HOW COMMUNITIES CAN HELP REDUCE SINGLE-USE PLASTIC TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT
Communities often don’t have to look far to witness the environmental damage caused by single-use plastics. Often times, these plastics can be replaced with non-plastic alternatives. Here are some ways to encourage communities to assess their plastic usage and reduce their plastic consumption.
Plastic Pollution
Whether you’re strolling through a local park or walking along a beach, it’s likely you’ll encounter plastic pollution. Items such as straws, plastic water bottles, and plastic bags fall into the category of single-use plastics. Here are some facts that highlight the widespread presence of single-use plastics:
- Half a million straws are used in the world every day.
- Each minute 1,000,000 plastic bottles are purchased worldwide.
- An estimated 4 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide each year.
Single-use plastics often fail to reach landfills or recycling facilities. In fact, 32% of the plastics produced annually end up in our oceans. That equates to one garbage truck of plastic being dumped into the ocean every minute.
Plan a litter collection day
Start small by organizing a litter collection activity with your class on school grounds or in the local neighbourhood. You can also collaborate with other community members or local action groups to spread awareness and participate in larger cleanups. Regardless of the size of the cleanup, communities can keep track of the various single-use plastics collected and determine the recyclable amount. Check out the “We Clean, We Educate, We Change” activity, which helps NGOs like Trash Hero Malaysia collect and analyze data on generated trash.
Reusable shopping bags
If you forget your reusable bags, you can get creative like many Plastic Free July participants. Grab an empty cardboard box from the supermarket shelf, juggle your items, or even use your hat or hoodie. Awkwardly cradling your groceries out of the store can serve as a reminder to bring your bag next time. Consider making your own reusable shopping and produce bags from repurposed fabric, such as old pillowcases. If you need to buy a bag, choose one made from natural fibres and reuse it as much as possible to offset production costs. If plastic bags are still allowed in your area, get involved with a local advocacy group and petition your governing body for a ban.
Bring Your Own Bottles (BYOB)
Encouraging others to use reusable water bottles is easy. Start conversations at your workplace, event, gym, school, or university about alternatives to plastic bottles. Equip yourself with information on how reusable bottles can make a difference. They reduce marine debris, protect wildlife, and help clean up beaches, creating a new normal. Despite many people making the switch, plastic bottles and caps remain among the top five items collected globally during beach cleanups.
