SIBU Municipal Council (SMC) has won the prestigious 9th Sarawak Chief Minister’s Environmental Award 2019-2020 under the Local Authority Category (Municipal and District Council).
The award presentation was held in Kuching on Sept 13.
SMC president Clarence Ting, in a statement, attributed the council’s success to years of hard work in environmental conservation and preservation.
“SMC has been promoting awareness of environmental protection, development and cleanlinesss, reducing emission of carbon dioxide and carbon footprint as well as tackling climate change issues through Earth Day and Earth Hour initiatives since 2008.
“Our house-to-house collection of recyclable waste started in 2011 and the council has expanded the collection areas over the years,” said Ting.
He added that SMC was the first local council in Sarawak to start a campaign against non-recyclable polysterene food containers.
It also started the “Say No to Plastic Straw” campaign, which was enforced in January 2020 at all eateries.
Besides these, the council participated in the nationwide programme to reduce single-use plastic bags.
Ting said SMC would not rest on its laurels now that it had won the award but would continue to implement more projects to protect the environment.
“During this Covid-19 pandemic, protecting and conserving our environment must be continued.
“We hope to move forward and towards the endemic stage soon.
“We must strive to educate and create public awareness of waste management to reduce drain blockages and waste at our landfills,” he said.
He attributed the local council’s success in winning the award to the commitment and support of residents of SMC’s policies, initiatives and programmes in ensuring environmental conservation was practised.
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