| James Kon |
THE Ministry of Development (MoD) launched the ‘Plastic Bottle Free Initiative’ in conjunction with the World Environment Day celebration yesterday, making it the first government agency in the country to implement the green practice.
Implemented by the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRe) with cooperation from all personnel under MoD, the initiative was launched by Minister of Development Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar.
The green endeavour is aimed to create awareness on the importance of reducing plastic waste in the country, in line with the United Nations’ (UN) efforts to combat pollution from plastic materials. “As the Ministry of Development is responsible for matters relating to environment, we must lead through example. I would like to announce that MoD is committed in implementing the initiative to make it the first plastic bottle free ministry,” said Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Suhaimi.
Highlighting the theme, ‘It Takes a Nation to Beat Plastic Pollution’, the minister said that “with strong support from all parties, the initiative will succeed in raising public awareness in addressing the use and disposal of plastic bottles. At the same time, it will instil a sense of responsibility among people to increase their efforts and play a role in contributing towards preserving the environment for the future generations”.
Highlighting the importance of protecting the environment, the minister said, “Environmental issues are gaining attention at various levels as their implications are not just on the present generation but also the future generations. Common environmental issues include air and water pollution, loss of biodiversity and climate change. The main causes of these problems are uncontrolled physical development, lifestyle and consumption patterns as well as irresponsible human acts such as the use and disposal of plastic bottles which leads to river and sea pollution. If we do not tackle these issues, it will affect the quality of life and wellbeing of the people.”
“It is to instil awareness on the importance of preserving the environment and support actions to do so that the Ministry of Development through the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation has launched the green initiative on the World Environment Day,” he added.
The World Environment Day was first introduced by the UN in 1974 and since then it has developed into a global platform for raising awareness and taking action on urgent issues from marine pollution and global warming to sustainable consumption and wildlife crime.
Millions of people from over 100 countries including Brunei Darussalam have taken part over the years, helping drive change in consumption habits as well as in national and international environmental policy.
The theme of this year’s World Environment Day is ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’.
“The theme is a call for us to act together to combat one of the major environmental challenges in the world today. This theme requires all of us to consider and change our lifestyle towards reducing plastic pollution in our country, especially from ‘single use plastics’.
The official slogan chosen by the JASTRe – “If you can’t reuse it, refuse it” – urges us to think for a moment before making a decision to buy or accept something that is not reusable,” the minister said.
“It is undeniable plastic materials and products have many uses in daily life and we may not realise that many are single use plastics.”
According to statistics released by UN, one million plastic bottle drinks are bought every 60 seconds globally. And one out of five plastic bottles is recycled.
At the same time, five trillion of plastic bags are produced globally and they eventually end up at landfills, polluting the ground water, surface water and the entire environment.
“An average 13 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the water system around the world annually, resulting in pollution from drainages, rivers and seas and causing floods. This is a threat not only to marine life such as coral reefs but also birds and animals. Plastic materials contain a number of toxic chemicals that can endanger the environment, wildlife and human life.”
Following the launch of the ‘Plastic Bottle Free Initiative’, the minister handed over tumblers to heads of departments and divisions to replace water bottles in the ministry.
The event also saw Acting Director of Environment, Parks and Recreation Martinah binti Haji Tamit delivering a speech in which she touched on the theme ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’.
Permanent Secretary (Technical and Professional) at the MoD Haji Marzuke bin Haji Mohsin; Acting Permanent Secretary (Administration and Finance) at the MoD Dr Nor Imtihan binti Haji Abdul Razak; Director- General of Public Works (JKR) Haji Amer Hishamuddin bin Pehin Orang Kaya Amar Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Zakaria; as well as directors; and heads of departments were also present.