NGOs call for environment focus on waste management

KUCHING: Sarawak Eco Warriors and International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) Malaysia are urging a heightened emphasis on environmental education and the development of more robust waste management and recycling initiatives.

Yeo weighs and records the waste collected during the plogging session at Jalan Uplands.

This call to action follows a successful plogging session held in celebration of International Volunteer Day on Saturday whereby, seven volunteers actively participated in the cleanup effort, targeting the vicinity of Jalan Uplands.

Sarawak Eco Warriors president Mark Liao said that there is a need for increased collaborative efforts to educate the public on waste management and recycling initiatives.

“Plastic pollution has immediate and long-term impacts for both human and biodiversity health.

“Hence, there has to be more cooperation between diverse civil societies, private sectors, and government bodies to establish systems fostering clean environments and healthy societies,” he said.

Echoing the same sentiment, IPYG Malaysia president Amelia Yeo stated that through volunteer-based opportunities, a community would be nurtured to work together in making Kuching safe and more environmentally sustainable.

Sarawak Eco Warriors and IGYP members take part in a one-hour plogging session at Jalan Uplands.

She added that the group (IPYG) is dedicated to cultivate a culture of peace among the youth, encouraging understanding and love for Kuching through various events and activities.

During the one-hour plogging session, participants were astonished by the substantial volume of trash collected – approximately 750 items, dominated by 400 cigarette butts, closely followed by 230 plastic items.

These items included a variety of materials such as food wrappers, plastic bottles, bags, containers, and other single-use plastics.

Anyone interested in contributing to a sustainable Kuching, inquiries can be directed to Sarawak Eco Warriors via Instagram (@sarawakecowarriors) or email at [email protected].

The organisations are actively developing modules and activities supporting nature conservation, with a primary focus on youth, biodiversity conservation, and waste management.