Trash Hero Langkawi collected 25,000kg of garbage
LANGKAWI: A group calling itself trash heroes has been collecting garbage and advocating cleanliness to locals and tourists here.
Known as Trash Hero Langkawi, the group has been carrying out its activities since its formation in November 2015.
About 1,500 people have joined the group and they have collected more than 25,000kg of garbage.
Founder Ulrika Player, 54, said she started the non-profit group to promote a cleaner environment.
“I came here in 2015 and fell in love with the island.
“I joined the Trash Hero group in Koh Lipe, Thailand, and decided to create a similar group on this island.”
Player said the group met once a week to carry out its activities, with the most recent one held in Temoyong this month.
She said the activities attracted locals and foreign tourists.
The Swede, who has made Langkawi her second home, said the group received support from local authorities, including the Langkawi Municipal Council and Langkawi Development Authority.
“We look for areas to carry out our activities and will post them on our Facebook page — Trash Hero Langkawi — to invite volunteers.
“The locals are supportive of our activities. People honk and give us the thumbs-up when they pass us and this makes our effort worthwhile.”
Player said she was happy that more Trash Hero chapters had opened nationwide, including in Cherating, Pahang, East Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur.
She said there was talk of setting up the group in Kelantan and Penang.
“I hope our effort will inspire others to contribute their time and energy to clean up their surroundings.”