Selakan islanders prevent 1,938kg of waste polluting marine ecosystem
SEMPORNA (July 8): A community-driven waste management programme was successfully launched on Selakan Island by Reef Check Malaysia in partnership with the Selakan Marine Conservation Group (SMCG).
This initiative marks a critical step forward in tackling one of the most pressing environmental issues facing island communities: solid waste pollution.
The programme, officially introduced in March 2025, empowers local households to take the lead in waste segregation and responsible disposal.
At the heart of the system is the newly constructed Rumah Penyimpanan Sampah (Waste Storage House), where segregated waste can be delivered by residents twice daily.
As of July 2025, 40 households have actively participated in the programme. Together, they have prevented a total of 1,938.4 kilograms of waste from polluting the surrounding marine ecosystem.
All collected waste has been safely transported to the mainland with support from the Semporna District Council, ensuring proper disposal.
Selakan Island, like many small islands in the Semporna region, faces acute waste management challenges due to limited infrastructure, geographic remoteness, and increasing volumes of waste generated by residents. Current practices include open burning and sea dumping.
A recent waste audit led by Reef Check Malaysia estimates that Selakan (on a normal activity) produces approximately 246 kilograms of waste daily, or 1.39 kg per person per day.
Without intervention, an estimated 64 tonnes of waste could end up in the ocean each year, endangering marine ecosystems and affecting the livelihoods of coastal communities.
The waste management programme builds upon the groundwork of Reef Check Malaysia's community-based coral restoration and conservation project in Selakan, supported by Sabah Parks and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS).
Funding from the Exo Foundation and support from the Semporna Island Project (SIP) have enabled the expansion of efforts to address land-based sources of marine pollution.
The programme is more than a waste collection initiative — it is a comprehensive platform for education, empowerment and sustainability.
A Recycling Learning Lab is planned to be developed on the island to serve as a community hub for recycling education, plastic upcycling innovation and eco-tourism outreach.
Plans are also underway to launch the Community Plastic Recycling Scheme (CPRS), a sustainable financing mechanism designed to incentivise plastic recovery and recycling on the island.
Reef Check Malaysia's efforts in Selakan are part of a wider mission to improve waste management systems across Sabah's coastal and island communities.
Successful models have already been established in Mantanani Island (Kota Belud) and Larapan Island (Semporna), where over 270,000 kilograms of waste have been collected and kept out of marine environments.
Solid waste pollution is one of the leading causes of coral reef degradation and marine biodiversity loss.
Introducing a formal waste management system is not just an environmental intervention; it is a socioeconomic necessity.
By keeping reefs healthy, this initiative helps safeguard the island's fisheries, food security, and tourism economy, ensuring long-term community resilience.
'Proper waste management is foundational to protecting the marine ecosystems that our communities depend on,' said Adzmin Fatta, Programme Manager for Reef Check Malaysia in Sabah.
'With the commitment of the Selakan community and our partners, we are creating a scalable model of sustainability that begins with everyday actions,' he said in a statement.
This programme proves that with the right support, island communities can take the lead in solving environmental challenges.
However, more resources and collaboration are needed to scale and sustain such efforts. Reef Check Malaysia invites public agencies, donors and corporate partners to join hands in supporting waste solutions that protect the people and the planet.
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