Encouraging Malaysians to pick up litter to save the ocean

In conjunction with World Cleanup Day and International Coastal Cleanup Day, The Litter Club Malaysia (TLC Malaysia) is organizing a virtual clean-up campaign ‘Cash For Trash’ to encourage fellow Malaysians on the importance of picking up litter to save the ocean. 

Held from 1 August until 18 September, 2021 participants can pick up litter in their area or neighborhood by adhering to the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs), including wearing face masks and practicing social distancing.

While picking up litter, participants can upload a litter report through The Litter Club mobile app and qualify to win a cash prize totaling RM5,000 for their community group.

“Despite the restriction movement orders in the country, we feel the need to proceed with this campaign as the public has to be educated on the importance of picking up litter. This pandemic has affected the ecosystem and our oceans today as mankind neglects this responsibility,” said The Litter Club founder Josh O’Neill Josh.

“The United Nations also reported in June 2021 that the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the situation with plastic products like surgical face masks being discarded into rivers and our oceans which is harmful to the wellbeing of the ocean and ourselves,” Josh pointed out.

TLC Malaysia is a non-governmental organisation that involves communities and educates people about the impacts of litter on the environment and oceans through dialogues, exhibitions and activities such as beach, river and community cleanups.

Those who want to participants are required to register either as a community group with minimum five people or individually at simplygiving.com with a donation of RM20 per person.   

The TLP app is available on Google Play Store for Android and the Apple App Store for iOS.

Throughout the campaign period, a series of webinars will also be conducted on relevant topics including Waste Management (10th August), Sustainability (24th August), Circular Economy (24th August) and Gotong Royong (14th September).

TLC Malaysia also announced Miss Grand Malaysia 2020 Jasebel Robert as the face ambassador for the campaign.

“Litter is an attitude that needs to be addressed from young and with my influence I hope to remind our young Malaysians the importance of litter and becoming a responsible citizen to our mother nature,” she said.

Josh said with her strong influence amongst the younger generation and her interest in having a safer future, Jasebel makes an ideal ambassador for the campaign.

Josh and Jasebel will host a virtual program to announce the winners of the Cash For Trash on September 18, 20212.

Cash For Trash is a joint effort between TLC Malaysia and its partners who include Impactlution, Pertubuhan Generasi Peduli Sampah Malaysia and SusNet Malaysia, and supported by the Ministry of Education, Malaysia Oil and Gas Services Council (MOGSC) and the Penang Green Council.