Ewaste latest threat to Port Dickson beaches

A volunteer clearing garbage brought in by the tide at the Tanjung Biru beach. — Photos: Bernama

Electronic waste (ewaste), including vaping devices and accessories have become the latest threat to Port Dickson’s beaches where an increasing amount of such waste is being picked up during beach-cleaning programmes.

Environmental activist Noor Fadzli Shah, who is also Kelab Bangsa Prihatin Negri Sembilan deputy chairman, said the situation was quite worrying.

He said two to four used disposable vape devices were found during each clean-up programme.

This amounted to 40 such devices being recovered in a year.

He told Bernama these devices not only affected the environment but posed a threat to marine life and human health if not contained immediately.

“Vape is a new garbage category now. Every piece of garbage we collect is recorded by type, weight and so on. Year to year, there has been an increase, including vape waste.

“Proper disposal of ewaste has to be carried out, both on land and in the sea.

Participants releasing various fish species into the sea.

“These vape devices have batteries that need to be disposed of properly.

“Heavy metals will contaminate the habitat of marine life such as mussels,” he said at a programme to clean beaches and plant mangroves.

The two-day programme involved the participation of 200 representatives from several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and public universities.

It was held in conjunction with the International Coastal Clean-Up and World Clean-Up Day.

Noor Fadzli said plastic was the biggest contributor to waste on the beach with an increase of almost 50% compared to the last few years, followed by food waste and glass.

Volunteers collecting and carrying away waste from the beachduring the clean-up programme.

He said more than 300kgs of garbage were collected within two hours of the clean-up programme. This comprised plastic bags, glass bottles, cigarette butts, fishing lines, nets, polystyrene foam and disposable diapers.

“More frequent monitoring of local businesses needs to be done to curb the problem of littering,” he stressed.

He said the programme was aimed at fostering public awareness of the importance of keeping the beach area clean as Port Dickson has always been an attraction for local and foreign tourists.

Noor Fadzli hopes that beach-clean-ups can be included in the Negri Sembilan tourism calendar.