Recycling programme launched at longhouse in Sungai Tamin
SIBU: Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) rolled out a ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ ( 3R) programme at Rumah Julia Awal, Sungai Tamin to get the residents into the habit of recycling and reducing waste.
Council chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai wanted the residents to practise 3R to prolong the lifespan of landfills and protect the environment.
“That’s why the 3R programme is very significant to educate people on how to reduce their waste by reusing and recycling waste into usable products.
“The education on reduce, reuse and recycle must start from home, especially with our children. They are the next generation who will inherit our environment and look after it. As such, it is of paramount importance for us to create awareness among our children and community at large,” he said when officiating at the 3R programme recently.
During the event, Sempurai also stressed on the importance of recycling and reducing waste to the residents of Rumah Julia and surrounding longhouses.
He said the council is currently managing two open landfills in Selangau and Stapang.
“These landfills are currently not enough to cater to the increasing volume of waste from Sibu Jaya township and Selangau. That’s why we have to send waste to Kemuyang Sanitary Landfill which is under Sibu Municipal Council (SMC).
“We hope that the council can upgrade the current landfills or look for new sites for landfills,” he said.
He added: “Currently, SRDC is spending around RM15,000 to RM17,000 per month to send solid waste to Kemuyang Sanitary Landfill.
“If we can reduce the volume of waste from commercial and residential areas then we can reduce that expense (and redirect the savings) for other public health infrastructures.”
He said the council also imposed a ban on plastic bag use by shop owners and consumers.
“As an alternative, the council encourages consumers and shop owners to use paper bags, recycled bags and biodegradable plastic bags.
“These biodegradable plastic bags are currently good alternatives as it is degradable over time and does not pollute the environment,” he said.
He also advised longhouse folk to look after the cleanliness of their surrounding area.
Sempurai said this was to prevent these areas from becoming Aedes mosquito breeding grounds.
As for rabies, the council advised pet owners to look after their pet dogs and if possible, to keep them within their house compound and cages, he added.
At the same function, the council handed over three recycling bins to longhouse chief Julia Awal.
Other activities included talks on composting by SMC, drug prevention by National AntiDrug Agency (AADK) Sibu, biodegradable plastic bags by ACG Company Sdn Bhd and the environment by Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sibu branch.