Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia

by Reef Check Malaysia
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Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia
Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia

Project Report | Mar 28, 2024
Recycling efforts draws support from local island communities

By Cynthia | Education and Public Awareness Officer

Centre for collection and sorting of recyclables
Centre for collection and sorting of recyclables

Reef Check Malaysia has been working with the local community in the Mersing group of islands for almost 3 years now. Over the years, we’ve conducted many skill training sessions, such as Eco-Friendly Snorkel Guide courses for the local boatmen, Open Water and Advanced Open Water for volunteers from the local community. Due to interest displayed by the locals, we’ve also trained some of the divers to become Reef Check certified EcoDivers, to assist with coral reef monitoring surveys in their own islands. Alongside these various efforts, discussions and meeting with the local islanders brought to our attention that trash is a major problem with this group of islands.

The pilot recycling programme was kicked off in Sibu Island (part of the Mersing group of islands) in September 2022. Sightly over a year later, we began the same programme in Tinggi Island. Since its inception, we have seen tremendous support through the participation of 31 households in Sibu Island, and 24 households in Tinggi Island. The Mersing Local Council has also shown support towards this effort.

To date, with the help of volunteers from the local island community, we have collected 207.1kg plastics, 365.9kg aluminum tin, and 484.8kg glass in Sibu Island alone. Meanwhile in Tinggi Island, we’ve collected 30kg plastics, 56.8kg aluminium tin, and 35.9kg glass since the programme began in October 2023.

The local community is greatly involved in every step of the recycling programme, from the construction of collection bins using wire mesh, to the collection process, compacting of the plastic bottles using a baler machine and the transporting of these materials out of the island. It was a pleasant surprise when our colleagues were approached by some younger school students who expressed their interest in helping us gather these recyclables from the collection bins around the village. The recyclables are sold to a recycling centre on mainland Mersing. The amount received is then channelled back to the community's mini recycling centre, where it is used to purchase materials needed such as the jumbo bags for collection (seen in photo below). At the moment, the amount received from the sale of the recyclables is not sufficient to cover the cost of materials needed, and our team is trying to figure out the best way to address this issue. If you have any suggestions on how we can improve, do get in touch with us, we'd love to hear from you! Your contributions will also help us channel some funds towards this project, to ensure it is sustainable for the long-run. 

This year, our plan is to extend the recycling programme to the Aur and Pemanggil Islands, which are also part of the Mersing group of islands. We’ll be sharing the progress and outcome of the ongoing effort in Sibu and Tinggi Islands with the local communities of these 2 new additional islands, with the hope that this initiative will be well accepted and make a difference in the way the island community in Mersing manages their waste. Additionally, tourism operators on these islands have expressed interest to collaborate in this initiative, further enhancing waste management efforts on the islands.

Collection bins around the island
Collection bins around the island
Baler machine and compacted plastic bottles
Baler machine and compacted plastic bottles
Local villagers preparing collection bins
Local villagers preparing collection bins
Compacted bottles to be sent out of the island
Compacted bottles to be sent out of the island
Younger islanders helping with the collection
Younger islanders helping with the collection
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Mar 13, 2024
Clean-up Effort Unites Local Island Community

By Cynthia | Education and Public Awareness Officer

Mar 1, 2024
Locally-led Reef Restoration Efforts Brings Together Stakeholders

By Cynthia | Education and Public Awareness Officer

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Organization Information

Reef Check Malaysia

Location: Kuala Lumpur, WP - Malaysia
Website:
Facebook: Facebook Page
Twitter: @ReefCheckMY
Project Leader:
Theresa Ng
Kuala Lumpur , Wilayah Persekutuan Malaysia
$104,384 raised of $300,000 goal
 
2,107 donations
$195,616 to go
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