Sharifah Zakiah (left) and Faisal (centre, in grey cap) collecting trash at Pantai Robina during the plogging event near Butterworth.
SIXTY volunteers from Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) and Penang Department of Environment (DOE) were undeterred by a drizzle when they set out to clean-up Pantai Robina near Butterworth.
Armed with large rubbish bags, they collected 126kg of food waste, polystyrene, paper, plastic, rags, metal and glass waste.
The plogging event which combined jogging and picking litter, was held in conjunction with the Penang Environment Day and involved 20 volunteers from JKSB and 40 from DOE.
The event kicked off with speeches by JKSB chief executive officer Faisal Shahbudin and DOE director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab.
Faisal said this was the second time JKSB had collaborated with DOE in organising the event.
“This plogging activity not only promotes exercise to stay healthy and fit but also encourages the local community to always keep their environment clean,” he said.
Faisal urged the public to promote the culture of cleanliness.
“We must collect our rubbish and not leave it to other people to do it.”
He urged the public to emulate Japanese fans in the World Cup matches who collect all trash, including other people’s, because they want to leave the area clean. Sharifah Zakiah said she was heartened by the participation of the community in maintaining cleanliness.
“Pantai Robina is a popular and well-known recreation area in Penang.
“We hope the public will play their part to keep the area clean as nobody likes to visit a dirty beach,” she said.
