Kota Kinabalu beach and underwater clean-up program collects 480kg of trash

KOTA KINABALU: The huge amount of trash collected during the city’s beach and underwater cleanup programme underscored a critical need for ongoing clean-ups and improved waste management strategies.

Kinabalu Sutera Rotary Club Community Service chair Chaw Zie Der said they collected 480kg of trash during their recent clean-up programme at the Tanjung Lipat area on Jan 18.

“This substantial amount of waste underscored the critical need for ongoing cleanups and improved waste management strategies, particularly in coastal regions,” he said in a statement.

He said this programme was organised by the Rotary Club of Kinabalu Sutera with partners such as the City Hall Trash Hero, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Technology and Management (TAR UMT), and Sabah Parks.

Chaw said the beach clean-up saw the participation of over 50 volunteers, including local residents, students, and representatives from the partner organisations.

He said that, equipped with gloves and masks, participants combed the beach and its surrounding areas.

Chaw said this programme showcased the power of community involvement and served as an educational platform.

Volunteers collected around 50kg of rubbish from the sea during the underwater clean-up.

This initiative was led by club president Roger Yapp and saw participation from the Marine Research Foundation and other NGOs.

The project’s focus was Padang Point, a pristine underwater ecosystem off the coast of Kota Kinabalu.

“Trash collected underwater included plastic waste, discarded fishing gear, and other debris that posed a threat to marine life and the fragile underwater ecosystem,” he said.

“This remarkable underwater clean-up project is a reminder that, with dedication and creative collaboration, we can protect and preserve our natural treasures for future generations to enjoy,” said Yapp.