By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
KLANG, Sept 20 — A massive 80 per cent of the 88,000 metric tonnes of waste retrieved from Sungai Klang by Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd (LLSB) since 2016 consists of plastic.
To put this staggering figure into perspective, the amount of waste collected is equivalent to a Boeing 777 aircraft filled up almost entirely with plastic debris.
This was revealed by LLSB's corporate services officer (communications) Suhailah Shamsudin, who said the massive cleanup effort was achieved using the Interceptor 005 and Interceptor 002 waste collection vessels, as well as seven rubbish traps placed along the river.
"The magnitude of the plastic waste we collected emphasises the need for more sustainable practices and awareness among the community," she said during a media tour in partnership with Tourism Selangor.
While LLSB is at the forefront of this river cleanup initiative, Suhailah stressed the collective duty of all parties to maintain the river's health.
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Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd corporate services officer (communications) Suhailah Shamsudin holds up a picture of the river cleaning efforts under the Selangor Maritime Gateway project, during the visit by media practitioners with Tourism Selangor dan Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd along Sungai Klang on September 20, 2023. — Picture by FIKRI YUSOF/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
"Mismanagement of waste does not just hurt our environment. It also inflates garbage collection cost, which currently stands at RM250 per metric tonne," she said.
During the tour, journalists embarked on a 30km boat trip across Sungai Klang as they witnessed firsthand the operations of the interceptors and rubbish traps.
Meanwhile, Suhailah said Sungai Klang's water quality is currently categorised in Class Three, with the ultimate aim of upgrading it to Class One, indicating drinkable water standards.
"This is not a distant dream. In fact, the water quality even advanced to Class Two during the Covid-19 lockdown due to reduced human activities," she said.
Initiated in 2018 by the state government, the Selangor Maritime Gateway project focuses on the revitalisation, restoration and transformation of the polluted Sungai Klang.
Operating under the Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) or MBI, LLSB is responsible for determining the project's direction and strategy.
[caption id="attachment_326840" align="aligncenter" width="821"]
Media practitioners snapping photos of the Interceptor 002 waste collection vessel as it carries out its duties, during the visit with Tourism Selangor dan Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd, along Sungai Klang on September 20, 2023. — Picture by FIKRI YUSOF/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
