SIBU: Recycling not only helps reduce pollution but also provides an opportunity to conserve natural resources.
Stating this, permanent secretary to the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Giovernment, Datu Elizabeth Loh pointed out that consistent recycling practices could reduce waste and improve quality of life.
“I believe that if we all embrace a culture of recycling, it will have a profound positive impact on our planet and ensure the sustainability of our environment for future generations,” she said at the Central Zone School Level Recycling Competition prize presentation ceremony held at Islamic Complex here on Tuesday (Jan 14).
According to Loh, a total of 42 schools in the Central Zone participated in the competition.
Overall, she disclosed that the participants collected 126,424.63 kilogrammes of recyclable materials in 2024 compared to 80,800.98 kilogrammes in 2023.
This achievement, she said, is truly commendable as it shows an increase of approximately 56.46 per cent compared to year 2023.
This is a positive development and demonstrates the growing awareness and commitment among students and the school community, she added.
She said the competition’s main objective is to raise awareness and responsibility among students and the school community about the importance of environmental conservation through recycling activities.
Additionally, she said ,it aims to encourage active participation in reducing waste, especially plastics, which have a negative impact on the environment.
“Through everyone’s involvement, we hope to inspire individuals to take small yet meaningful steps in their daily lives.
“As a token of appreciation for the participants who took part in this competition, each participant will receive a plastic bottle that encourages reuse (refill) instead of single-use plastics. This bottle is part of our initiative to promote a more environmentally friendly lifestyle, reducing the use of disposable plastic and replacing it with items that can be reused.
“We hope that the use of this bottle will be a small step that has a significant impact on the sustainability of our environment,” she said.
She hoped the competition will serve as a platform to empower and raise awareness among community about the importance of protecting the environment.
Among those present were Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datu Dr Penguang Manggil and Sibu Municipal Council chairman Clarence Ting.
