Representatives of CHMS No 1 hold the prize for secondary school on stage with Bakrie (third left) and Goh (fifth left). — Photos by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: The Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (F&N) School Recycling Campaign in Kuching and Kota Samarahan collected 219,082.12kg of recyclables from Mar 1 to Aug 30.
The amount collected was 10 times more than its first initiative in Sarawak in 2017 to promote recycling based on the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle).
Organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Housing and National Resources and Environmental Board, it attracted 50,000 students from 57 primary and secondary schools under four local councils – Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), Kuching South City Council (MBKS), Padawan Municipal Council (PMC) and Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (KSMC).
“As a socially and environmentally responsible corporate body, F&N Holdings Berhad is committed to preserving our natural surroundings and educating the community, particularly school students so that they can play an active role in creating a healthier and more sustainable future for the next generation,” said F&N Holdings Berhad corporate affairs manager Cariessa Goh at the campaign’s closing ceremony held at the State Library yesterday.
A total of RM20,200 were given out as cash prizes based on average collected per student.
In primary school category, SJK Chung Hua No 3 was first with average of 27.33kg collected per pupil while for secondary school category Chung Hua Middle School No 1 was first with average of 32.57kg collected per student winning both schools RM1,400 each. Prizes were given to the top 10 schools in each category.
Special Awards of RM700 cash for Most Aluminium Recyclable items went to SJK Chung Hua No 3 (731.5kg) and Chung Hua Middle School No 1 (1,130kg); Most Plastic Recyclables was SJK Chung Hua No.3 (17,367kg) and SMK St Thomas (897kg); and Most Beverage Cartons was SJK Chung Hua No 5 (139kg) and SMK Tun Ahmad Zaidi (131.7kg).
Most E-Waste Special Awards of RM500 each went to SJK Chung Hua No 5 (2,370kg) and SMK St Joseph (1,267.6kg).
Meanwhile, local council MBKS took the lead with 117,686.88kg of recyclables winning RM10,000; followed by DBKU which won RM5,000 (86,080.69kg) while PMC and KSMC placed third and fourth respectively bagging RM3,000 each.
Permanent secretary of Ministry of Local Government and Housing Bakrie Zaini who was present suggested recycling bins at shopping malls and schools for a start with Trienekens Sarawak Sdn Bhd collecting recyclables once every fortnight.
“I will also suggest to the education department to have school field trips to landfills for students to learn firsthand the process and problems faced in waste management, like the one in Mambong,” he said while reminding parents not to litter while waiting to pick their children up from school.
He said that Kuching is known as a clean city, but grass cutting by the local councils revealed the rubbish hidden under the grass which can become breeding ground for Aedes mosquitos.
Bakrie (centre) poses with winner of Special Award for Most E-Waste Recyclables under secondary school category, SMK St Joseph.