KUCHING: Many initiatives should be done in order to achieve environmental wellbeing, including increasing the recycling rate.
Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang said continuing to encourage the younger generation, specifically students, in making recycling a daily habit was also another.
“Like it or not, we have to change our mindset and habit in waste management in order for us to achieve a much higher recycling rate.
“This practice needs to start from us whether at home or in school,” he said.
Lo said this during the prize-giving ceremony and recycling awareness event in conjunction with the Joint Solid Waste Segregation and Recycling Programme at SJK Chung Hua Pangkalan Baru here on Wednesday (Feb 15).
“I really hope that we do not do this for the sake of profit, rather we are motivated by our love for the environment and preserving nature.
“As a matter of fact, from MPP itself, this issue is not new, as we always make it as part of our agenda in any of the council’s meetings.”
Regarding the programme, he said that it was part of the collaborative initiative between the government agency and Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd as this would raise awareness among the students and the school community on the effects of improper plastic waste towards the environment and human health.
“This is also to control illegal plastic, paper and aluminium waste, in which it would create a ground for mosquitoes to breed and other insects as well.”
In the meantime, Trienekens Department of Environmental Research and Development manager Dayang Sherrynazra Awang Sharkawi stated that the programme with the school had begun in 2017, in line with the vision and mission of Trienekens to create a community that is aware of environmental wellbeing.
“We believe the importance of education can change our mindset and habit in managing waste.
“The purpose of this programme that we introduce and establish together with the school and MPP is also to introduce the 3R concept (reduce, reuse and recycle).
“Basic concept of this programme is to increase awareness, educate and teach the proper ways to manage and recycle trash in the right way.”
She added that involvement among the teachers and students of the school in organising the activities should be praised and imitated.
“This further proves that the school is not only excellent in its academic activities, but also they are concerned with what is going on with the environment.”
