Sabah's plastic waste sculptures shine globally
KOTA KINABALU (June 29): The Marine Research Foundation created another history for Malaysia after winning the 2025 Global Ocean Cleanup Art Competition Judge's Choice Award.
Titled 'Anatomy of the Breathless Sea', three marine animal sculptures – manta ray, giant clam and starfish – were crafted entirely from marine debris collected from the ocean and won the judges' heart from nine other countries.
The debris were retrieved from Tunku Abdul Rahman Park waters in Kota Kinabalu during the World Oceans Day – Underwater Cleanup 2025, organised by Marine Research Foundation (MRF), Reef Check Malaysia (RCM) and Mariners Club UMS on June 14.
The World Oceans Day was also supported by the Oceanic Society, PADI AWARE Foundation, Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Sabah Parks, Kota Kinabalu City Hall and the Sabah Dive Rangers.
Waste materials such as plastics have continued to threaten marine ecosystems and its biodiversity as it becomes a food chain for marine life.
The sculptures created from plastic waste reveal the severity of humans' trash that ends up in our ocean and inside marine animals.
The three sculptures thus deliver a powerful message in understanding the negative impact of plastic pollution on our ecosystem.
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The Star
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- The Star
Life in plastic isn't fantastic
HIS obsession with photography was so consuming that it drove a young Leo Hendrik Baekeland beyond the darkroom and into the world of chemistry—in search of something greater than the perfect picture. At 17, he entered the University of Ghent as its youngest student, graduating summa cum laude in 1882. His early promise paid off—he invented Velox, a photographic paper that could be developed under artificial light. This breakthrough made him wealthy and independent. With time and resources to explore freely, Baekeland set up a private laboratory in his backyard. There, in 1907, he began experimenting with synthetic resins—hoping to create a heat-resistant material to replace shellac, a natural resin used in electrical insulation. When the brilliant inventor combined phenol (carbolic acid) and formaldehyde under heat and pressure, he created Bakelite—the world's first fully synthetic plastic, which had a hard, mouldable substance that resisted heat, chemicals and electricity. 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According to scientific studies, including those by The Pew Charitable Trusts and Our World in Data, an estimated 11 million metric tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year—the equivalent of a garbage truck dumping its load every minute. Without urgent action, this figure could nearly triple to 29 million tonnes annually by 2040, overwhelming marine ecosystems and accelerating long-term environmental damage. Rectifying misinformation Contrary to popular belief, the bulk of ocean plastic pollution originates on land—not from fishing vessels or cruise ships. Mismanaged urban waste, inefficient recycling infrastructure, and litter washed into waterways via storm drains and rivers are the primary contributors. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), over 80% of ocean plastics stem from land-based sources. World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia(WWF-Malaysia) Peninsular Malaysia and Conservation Science associate director Dr Jason Hon highlights the critical misconception that the crisis begins at sea. 'The reality is that most ocean-bound plastic is a direct consequence of inadequate waste management and improper disposal. Moreover, the belief that all plastics are recyclable is flawed—only certain types can be processed effectively under current systems.' A 2021 World Bank study further revealed that Malaysia collected merely 24% of its plastic waste for recycling in 2019, with a fraction reprocessed domestically. Hon emphasises that addressing plastic pollution demands more than recycling—it requires a systemic shift towards a circular economy. 'Plastics must be redesigned for reuse, repurposing or elimination. This necessitates reimagining packaging, supply chains, and consumption patterns—particularly within hospitality, fast moving consumer goods and retail sectors.' Reef Check Malaysia chief operating officer Theresa Ng warns that many consumers wrongly assume individual recycling efforts suffice, ignoring the larger issues of overproduction and weak waste management systems. She highlights the rising threat of microplastics—tiny particles infiltrating Malaysia's coastal waters, seafood and drinking water—posing serious health risks. 'Transparency about the true scale of the problem, consumer education on plastic reduction at source, investment in sustainable product design, promotion of reusable alternatives, and advocacy for stronger regulations are imperative. 'Companies that embrace these responsibilities will not only mitigate environmental impact but also strengthen their market leadership and ESG credentials in Malaysia's evolving landscape,' says Ng. From greenwashing to genuine action Ng highlights that businesses with multi-year commitments truly stand out. 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'Conducting supply chain audits to eliminate unnecessary plastics and collaborating with waste management providers or community recycling initiatives can further improve recovery rates,' she says. Hon adds that small and medium-sized enterprises can begin by optimising packaging and minimising excess. 'Larger corporations have the capacity to embed circular principles across operations, work with suppliers to reduce plastic use, and invest in scalable solutions,' he says. He points to WWF-Malaysia's Plastic Circularity Toolkit, which helps Malaysian businesses assess their plastic footprint across eight areas—from packaging and waste handling to consumer engagement. It ranks companies from 'Conventionalist' to 'Advocator,' offering tailored steps toward circularity. 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In collaboration with KDEB Waste Management, the company runs door-to-door plastic collection across Selangor, diverting over 20,000 tonnes of plastic from landfills and waterways. Its beach and underwater clean-ups have recovered an additional 12 tonnes of marine debris since 2018. Other innovators including Klean, Biji-Biji Initiative, and Heng Hiap Industries and more are contributing through technologies like reverse-vending machines, upcycled plastic goods, and recycling of ocean-bound plastics. All in all, tackling Malaysia's plastic pollution demands urgent action from both businesses and government. By embracing circular economy principles, enforcing stronger regulations, and ensuring corporate accountability, the country can significantly reduce plastic waste and protect vital marine ecosystems—setting a powerful example for South-East Asia's fight against plastic pollution. As Sir David Attenborough reminds us, 'The ocean is a source of life and wonder. Protecting it is protecting our future.'
Borneo Post
29-06-2025
- Borneo Post
Sabah's plastic waste sculptures shine globally
The manta ray, giant clam and starfish sculptures that were crafted from marine debris won the 2025 Global Ocean Cleanup Art Competition Judge's Choice award. KOTA KINABALU (June 29): The Marine Research Foundation created another history for Malaysia after winning the 2025 Global Ocean Cleanup Art Competition Judge's Choice Award. Titled 'Anatomy of the Breathless Sea', three marine animal sculptures – manta ray, giant clam and starfish – were crafted entirely from marine debris collected from the ocean and won the judges' heart from nine other countries. The debris were retrieved from Tunku Abdul Rahman Park waters in Kota Kinabalu during the World Oceans Day – Underwater Cleanup 2025, organised by Marine Research Foundation (MRF), Reef Check Malaysia (RCM) and Mariners Club UMS on June 14. The World Oceans Day was also supported by the Oceanic Society, PADI AWARE Foundation, Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Sabah Parks, Kota Kinabalu City Hall and the Sabah Dive Rangers. Waste materials such as plastics have continued to threaten marine ecosystems and its biodiversity as it becomes a food chain for marine life. The sculptures created from plastic waste reveal the severity of humans' trash that ends up in our ocean and inside marine animals. The three sculptures thus deliver a powerful message in understanding the negative impact of plastic pollution on our ecosystem.
The Star
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- The Star
Over 400kg of rubbish collected in Teluk Likas beach cleanup
KOTA KINABALU: Over 150 volunteers collected a total of 402kg of rubbish from the shores of Teluk Likas during a beach cleanup campaign here. This initiative united students, scientists, and diplomats in Sabah's fight against marine pollution. The programme was jointly organised by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES), the French Embassy in Malaysia, and eight secondary schools from Sabah and Labuan. Teluk Likas is the second most frequented beach in Kota Kinabalu after Tanjung Aru, making its cleanliness and conservation a key public concern. Participants included students, UMS staff, NRES officers, and representatives from the Minerals and Geoscience Department, Meteorological Department, and the French diplomatic mission. The schools involved were SMK Elopura (Sandakan), SMK Tandek (Kota Marudu), SMK Sanzac (Kota Kinabalu), SM St. Michael (Penampang), SM Sains Sabah, SMK Pinawantai (Kudat), SMK Labuan, and SMK Tebobon. French Embassy representative Dominique Husken-Ulbrich said the initiative aligns with global environmental efforts. 'This initiative reflects our commitment to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. It shows that educational and diplomatic collaboration can lead to real impact,' she said. NRES deputy secretary-general (Development) Datuk Nor Yahati Awang described the event as a crucial step towards coastal conservation. 'Our beaches are national treasures. Through collective action, we can educate the public about their responsibility in protecting the environment,' she said. UMS marine science programme head Dr Madihah Jaffar Sidek said the cleanup was part of their marine education campaign targeting youth. 'We want students in Sabah to develop a deeper connection with the environment and take ownership as guardians of the marine ecosystem,' she said. The programme was held in conjunction with UMS's Ocean Celebration initiative, which also marked the annual World Oceans Day (8 June), Coral Triangle Day (9 June), and World Sea Turtle Day (16 June).
