KOTA KINABALU: A substantial 313.44 kg of trash was successfully collected during the Pantai Likas clean-up programme, a collaborative effort between Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) and Yayasan Hijau Malaysia (YHM) at Teluk Likas Public Park, Sabah Media reported.
This initiative, which saw the participation of 200 volunteers including Petronas employees from Sabah and Labuan, local NGOs, the Ecocampus Centre of Universiti Malaysia Sabah, and local residents, was part of the Petronas and YHM impact programme and received support from Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) and Impactlution Sdn Bhd.
Out of the total waste collected, 69.92 kilograms were recyclable materials. Sabah Assistant Minister of Finance II Tan Lee Fatt, emphasised the importance of corporate sector involvement in organising similar programmes across Sabah's beaches, especially in Kota Kinabalu.
He said the responsibility for maintaining cleanliness is not just on the government or local authorities but involves everyone.
He urged the public to change their attitudes and commit seriously to environmental conservation, making it a part of their daily lifestyle.
Petronas Sabah and Labuan general manager Siti Ayu Abdul Wahab said the pilot project aims to encourage community behaviour change towards environmental conservation and awareness about global warming and climate change.
It also intends to improve the local community's recycling and systematic solid waste management skills.
Siti Ayu believed that the pilot project will contribute to income generation for local communities through the commercial sales of upcycled products.
The project will focus on three main components: public awareness programs (beach/river cleaning and school education programs), community upskilling programs, and waste collection at recycling centres, specifically managing selected waste materials like plastic, used cooking oil, and textiles.
Kampung Cenderamata II, Likas, and Kampung Warisan, Inanam, in Kota Kinabalu, have been chosen as the locations for the social impact pilot project, which will commence in April 2024.