This World Environment Day, Sarawak Eco Warriors prove beating plastic pollution starts with small actions, big awareness, and personal responsibility — because saving our planet is everyone’s job.
Cleaning Sarawak, Changing Minds
UNDER the blazing sun on Pandan Beach, Lundu, dozens of volunteers worked tirelessly, pulling plastic bottles, foam bits, and discarded fishing gear from sand and underbrush.
Over just a few hours, 124 kilogrammes of trash were collected — a sobering snapshot of the plastic crisis polluting even the most remote and beautiful corners of Sarawak.
Though the cleanup took place in 2024, its lessons resonate more than ever as World Environment Day 2025 calls on us to beat plastic pollution.
Organised by local non-profit Sarawak Eco Warriors in collaboration with the US Embassy of Malaysia and the Lundu District Council, the event wasn’t just about removing litter — it was about reshaping how people think about plastic and the environment.
World Environment Day, observed annually on June 5, is the United Nations’ flagship campaign to raise global awareness and action for the protection of our environment.
The 2025 theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution”, highlights the urgent need to address the mounting plastic waste crisis threatening ecosystems and human health worldwide.
From trash to truth
“Just so you know, we gathered roughly 43 large bags — 2,923 individual items. Plastic bottles were the most common — 772 pieces — followed by smaller bits of foam and plastic,” said Mark Liao, president of Sarawak Eco Warriors.
But more than the shocking numbers, it was what the clean-up represented that mattered most.
Participants weren’t just picking up trash. They were absorbing hard truths about the impact of plastic waste on marine life, coastal ecosystems, and ultimately, our own health.
The event included an educational session and a discussion on how clean-up campaigns can go beyond symbolic gestures and lead to real change — not just through action, but through awareness backed by data.
Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), an estimated 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans every year, endangering marine species and contaminating seafood consumed by humans.
In Sarawak, the plastic waste crisis threatens not only marine biodiversity but also the livelihoods of coastal communities dependent on fishing and tourism.
Since its founding in 2017, Sarawak Eco Warriors has led more than 50 clean-up campaigns, removing over 112,000 waste items. But beyond the numbers lies a disturbing trend.
“At least 70 per cent of the waste collected in Kuching’s coastal and urban areas is plastic-based,” Liao revealed.
He also described plastic pollution as a silent killer, explaining that wildlife suffers not only from entanglement, ingestion, and suffocation but also from the deeper damage caused when plastics break down into microplastics that infiltrate waterways, soil, and food chains.
“Recent studies have even found microplastics in the placentas of unborn babies, raising serious concerns about long-term health impacts.
“While we may not fully understand the long-term effects, what we do know is alarming — plastic pollution isn’t just harming nature; it’s affecting us too,” he stressed.
This emerging evidence has pushed global health experts to call for urgent action to reduce plastic pollution not just to protect wildlife but to safeguard human health and future generations.
That’s why the group’s mission has evolved from cleaning beaches to influencing environmental behaviour and policy through data.
“The purpose has evolved. Now we focus on generating data to support decisions, shape policy, and push for better environmental management,” Liao explained.
Their current year-long project — done in partnership with the US Embassy and Lundu District Council — tackles plastic waste at multiple levels, from on-the-ground clean-ups to school engagement, community education, and biodiversity awareness.
Taking a comprehensive approach, the initiative also creates real opportunities for recycling while helping young people understand the threats posed by plastic pollution.
Plastics aren’t evil
While it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of the plastic problem, Liao reminded us that solutions can begin in the simplest of places — our homes, schools, and offices.
“Nature gives us the means to maintain our way of life. It will cost us far more to fix what we destroy than to preserve what we have,” he pointed out.
That’s why Sarawak Eco Warriors invests heavily in youth outreach — conducting school workshops, nature-based education, and community-led restoration.
They created hands-on programmes to help people appreciate nature, with the belief that such a connection is key to achieving lasting change.
Liao believed that plastic’s reputation has suffered because we’ve misunderstood the real problem.
“Plastics themselves aren’t the enemy. They’ve improved medicine, made transport lighter, and preserved goods longer.
“But we need to rethink how we use and manage them so they don’t harm nature and people,” he said.
He added that environmental responsibility shouldn’t fall solely on scientists or non-governmental organisations.
“We need people from all backgrounds — students, parents, business owners, artists — to be part of the solution,” he urged.
Globally, plastic production has increased exponentially since the 1950s, but recycling rates remain low — only about 9 per cent of plastic waste is recycled worldwide, according to UNEP.
This gap in proper waste management underscores the urgency to rethink how plastics are designed, used, and disposed of.
Change begins at home
In line with this year’s World Environment Day focus, the UNEP recommends several actions that individuals can take to fight plastic pollution:
Refuse what you don’t need – Say no to straws, bags, cutlery, and other unnecessary plastic items
Reduce what you use – Choose products with less packaging or buy in bulk
Reuse what you can – Bring your own containers, bottles, and bags
Recycle properly – Understand your local recycling guidelines
Rethink your lifestyle – Opt for natural fibres, bar soap, and plastic-free alternatives
“Everyone can help end plastic pollution. It starts with rethinking how we produce, consume and dispose of plastic,” UNEP stated in its campaign.
Small acts, big impact
Though the Pandan Beach clean-up took place last year, its legacy continues to ripple outward. Sarawak Eco Warriors are now calling on schools and youth groups — especially those with students aged 12 to 17 — to join the movement.
“We want more young people to learn about marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and their role in protecting them.
“Teachers and group leaders interested in hosting educational events or collaborating with us can contact
sarawakecowarriors@gmail.com,” Liao encouraged.
One clean-up won’t end plastic pollution — but it can spark awareness, inspire action, and build accountability.
As the world marks World Environment Day 2025, the call to action is clear: Beat Plastic Pollution — not just through policy, but through personal responsibility.
Every piece of plastic picked up is a stand taken for our planet — just like those volunteers on Sarawak’s shores, we all face a simple choice: act, or look away.
