Swinburne students help to clean Matang Beach
KUCHING: Over 30 volunteers helped to clean Matang Beach recently, including Swinburne Sarawak Green Club and Politeknik Kuching Sarawak students.
They were among those who participated in the activity led by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) Kuching Beach Cleaners, Sarawak Eco Warriors, and the Wildlife Conservation Society Malaysia Programme.
A press release yesterday said the group spent an hour and a half collecting and sorting out rubbish including glass pieces, beverage cans, plastic bags, plastic and foam pieces, balloons, toys, fishing gear, as well as other types of rubbish.
In total, the volunteers managed to collect 37 bags of rubbish weighing 174kg.
Swinburne Sarawak Green Club president Thon Pun Liang was surprised to collect a huge amount of rubbish, particularly plastic bottles that could potentially harm marine life.
He strongly advised the public to use reusable drinking bottles to decrease the amount of plastic being used and discarded.
Club assistant treasurer Joey Chua Wei Yee said the public should stop buying disposable water bottles, plastic straws, and plastic bags, replacing them with reusable drinking bottles and shopping bags.
Treasurer Amy Tie Yi Xuan said it struck her that no one seems to be concerned with the condition of beaches despite many programmes being organised to raise awareness of keeping the environment clean.
“After participating in this clean-up, I can conclude that most people are aware of what’s happening but because they are so caught up in their daily activities, they fail to take any action. It is a collective responsibility to stop beach pollution.
“For those who frequent the beach, please think twice before leaving your trash behind,” Tie said.
Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus offers Australian education at foundation, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels.
Its business, design, engineering, computing and science courses are identical to those offered at the Melbourne campus and as a result, graduates are awarded the same qualification by the Australian university.
The September- October intake for undergraduate and foundation courses is now open.
For details or to apply, visit swinburne.edu.my, call 082- 415353, or email study@ swinburne.edu. my.