Villagers get 3.6 tonnes of chicken for picking up 12 tonnes of plastic in Gaya Island beach cleanup programme

KOTA KINABALU: An event was held on Sunday (Sept 17) at Gaya Island to encourage water village residents to collect trash in exchange for chicken. The event was organized by the Shangri-la Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa with the aim of promoting cleanliness in the community.

Datuk Edward Dagul, chairman of the resort, acknowledged that both the resort and Pulau Gaya face issues with trash due to their proximity to the sea. He emphasized that ocean pollution affects not only the environment but also the tourism industry in Sabah. The event aimed to raise awareness about the impact of ocean pollution.

Dagul added that the event was part of the resort’s corporate social responsibility events series, which is being held to commemorate the resort’s 40th anniversary. He highlighted that each activity organized for the anniversary is either related to the community or the environment. As a certified green hotel, the resort aims to encourage the community to be kind and maintain cleanliness in the environment.

The event began at 8:30am and saw residents from Kg Lobong and Torong Logong collect more than 12 tonnes of plastic waste. Participants were given a bag of chicken in exchange for each bag of plastic trash collected.

More than 400 families participated in the event, and a total of 3.6 tonnes of chicken were distributed. The event was co-organized by Jetsin Sdn Bhd and Persatuan Skuad Komuniti Prihatin Sabah (KPS), in collaboration with Kota Kinabalu City Hall, the police, Sabah Parks, SK Pulau Gaya Kota Kinabalu, Borneo Marine Research Institute UMS, Borneo Nature Explorer Tours and Travel Sdn Bhd, Borneo Fun Fun Tour and Travel Sdn Bhd, and Traverse Tours Sdn Bhd.