41,015kg trash collected nationwide in 2024 coastal cleanup event

The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) event held across Malaysia in September 2024 saw the participation of 8,569 volunteers, who collected an astounding 41,015kg of trash. The nationwide event, coordinated by Reef Check Malaysia (RCM), has been part of Malaysia’s environmental calendar since 2018, contributing to global efforts to combat marine debris through the Ocean Conservancy’s data initiative.

Plastic bottles dominate the debris

Of the 388,730 items collected during the cleanup, plastic bottles emerged as the most common type of debris, with volunteers gathering 50,785 bottles. Following closely behind were 39,584 cigarette butts and 38,801 pieces of plastic or foam debris. The data from this cleanup was entered into the Clean Swell app, which feeds into a global database of cleanups, allowing scientists and policymakers to analyze trends in marine pollution.

Reef Check Malaysia continues to play a crucial role in organizing the ICC, engaging communities, organizations, and individuals in the fight against marine pollution. Speaking about the event’s significance, Tengku Zatashah, Princess of Selangor, who has earned the moniker “Princess Beach Cleanup,” said, “The International Coastal Cleanup is an event I look forward to every year since 2017. Participating in beach cleanups allows us to see the problem firsthand and take action to address it.”

Corporate volunteers join the cleanup

Corporate participation was significant in this year’s ICC, with companies like Hapag-Lloyd Business Services Malaysia and KPMG Malaysia making notable contributions. Hapag-Lloyd’s volunteers cleaned up Pantai Batu 23, collecting 54.75kg of trash, while KPMG Malaysia’s team cleared 126.61kg of waste from Pantai Remis in Kuala Selangor. These efforts highlight the importance of corporate social responsibility in addressing environmental challenges.

The scale of the ICC’s success this year, supported by businesses and volunteers alike, underscores the ongoing problem of marine pollution and the need for continued commitment from all sectors of society.

A deeper dive into conservation

In conjunction with the ICC, Reef Check Malaysia organized the Kod Blue: Laut Needs You event on Tioman Island on September 7, 2024. Volunteers collected 757.7kg of trash from the beach and an additional 50.8kg from underwater cleanup activities. The underwater team also removed 62 Crown-of-Thorns starfish, coral predators known for damaging reefs.

Theresa Ng, Chief Operating Officer of Reef Check Malaysia, explained, “The objective of the event is to spread awareness about the issue of marine debris while bringing together the general public and the local community of Tioman Island.”

Kod Blue also featured conservation talks, underwater videography workshops, a Pasar Malam with local delicacies, and a coral block workshop. Sponsors, including Migalabs, Diamond & Platinum, and Bose, supported the event, emphasizing the growing support for marine conservation in Malaysia. “We are grateful for our sponsors for their generous sponsorship and support for Kod Blue 2024.,” added Ng.

The annual ICC event and complementary efforts like Kod Blue highlight the urgency of addressing marine pollution and the powerful role that collective action can play in safeguarding Malaysia’s coastal environments.