Jannie (third from right) with guests after the launch of the Mobile Recycling Center yesterday.
KOTA KINABALU (May 14): Malaysia pledged to care for the environment when it adopted the Sustainable Development Goals.
“We are proud of the environmental conservation efforts in Sabah.
“Our environment is not only the heart of tourism in Sabah but also ensures the well-being of the people,” Kapayan MP Jannie Lasimbang said at the launch of the Mobile Recycling Center (MRC) in Kampung Kapazan here yesterday .
The MRC collects HDPE and LDPE plastic from the public and recycles it at this one-stop center.
It is a joint initiative of Gaya Belian, Tonibung, EZ Plast, Upcycled Shack, Oona and the ADUN Kapayan office, and supported by various government agencies including the Kota and Ciry Hall (DBKK) and the District Council of Penampang.
Datuk Yeo Boon Hai represented Marina Harris of Gaya Belian, a local society that sponsored the MRC.
He said recycling and environmental awareness is a long-term effort and must start with families and communities.
Adrian Lasimbang from Tonibung explained the initiative and how the different groups involved are working together to make this initiative a success.
Also present at the launch were representatives from DBKK and DBKK Love Clean KK, Zero Waste Sabah, Kivatu Nature Farm and social enterprises such as Blue Hope, To Earth With Love.
“I urge the government to launch collaborative recycling programs involving communities and ensure that district and city councils accelerate the implementation of the recently passed solid waste management law which will have a huge impact on the well-being of people and the future of our societies and even develop a circular economy”, says Jannie.
“I pursue the vision of environmental sustainability for Kapayan, and being able to bring communities, schools and NGOs together to get involved with the environment has been amazing. They learn to recycle and turn plastics into things like sustainable products and micro-hydroelectric components.
“We have known for a long time that the problem of plastic waste is a huge environmental problem that requires global thinking and recycling innovation in a unique way. Having a project that recycles and turns plastics into useful objects is better than letting them end up in our ever-growing landfills.Many plastics that we use daily are harmful to the entire ecosystem.
“My Kapayan ADUN office through the Alam Sekitar Kapayan (TASK) team is in this project to raise awareness especially in Penampang through an ongoing campaign in homes and villages as well as through the media to urge residents to collect these plastics and sell them to the MRC. The ideas for recycled materials by Upcycled Shack and Ez Plast are very innovative and contemporary, while TONIBUNG designed and serviced the machines,” added Jannie.
“The public can bring HDPE (#2) and LDPE (#4) plastic to the MRC on weekdays and Saturdays. Clean plastic will be purchased at 30 cents per kg plus 5000 points. Points can be accumulated and redeemed for food items.
“Plastic pollution is slowly devouring our mother earth and there is still a lot of ignorance about the harm of plastic. I am glad that many NGOs are dedicated to organizing this environmental activity to raise public interest and develop ideas on the management and benefits of recycling plastics.This will be an extension of the efforts I have been doing over the past three years on waste separation with another NGO, the Tzu Chi Foundation.