SDG 14 Life Below Water

University of Cyberjaya (UoC) defines sustainability as a term that encompasses all aspects of ethical business practices by addressing relevant issues responsibly and profitably.

The University recognises the importance of sustainability and its increasing impact to our operations. We are committed to understanding and implementing sustainable practices and to exploring the benefits to the University whilst attempting to achieve the right balance between the needs of the wider community and our focus on delivering quality education to our students.

Plogging

As a result of urbanization and linear economy, waste production is increasing at an alarming rate. Solid waste in the form of trash on land clogs storm water drains, increases the risk of flooding, marine pollution and provide habitat for vector propagation. Recycling rates of plastic waste is relatively low in Malaysia as compared to developed countries and about 60 per cent of Malaysians do not dispose garbage into trash bins.

University of Cyberjaya in collaboration with Trash Hero, a non-profit organization conducted Plogging events in Cyberjaya. This fitness trend originally from Sweden involves picking up trash while walking or jogging and addresses problems of lack of fitness and trash pollution at the same time.

PLOGGING 1.0 – WALK & PICK UP TRASH

Date: 12/11/2018
Time: 8.30am – 11.00am
Venue: Cyberjaya
Volunteers: 44

2019 International Humanitarian Conference:

Plogtastic & Cyberplogging

Date: 29/2/2020
Time: 8.30am – 11.00am
Venue: Cyberjaya
Volunteers: 50
Types and quantity of trash collected
Cigarette butts: 5,400
Bottles caps: 683
Plastic bottles: 676
Yellow cable tie:162
Straws: 131
Aluminium can:122
Glass bottle: 84
Tetra pack: 76
Boxes: 8
 
Total trash collected: 202 kg
General trash: 103.5kg
Recycle trash: 98.5 kg

Beach Clean Up

18 billion pounds of plastic trash winds up in our oceans each year, 80% from land sources. Over 100,000 marine animals die every year from plastic entanglement and ingestion. It is estimated that by the year 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish (by weight). There is enough plastic in the ocean to circle the Earth 400 times. The 5 most common items found in coastal clean ups around the world are single-use plastics, cigarette butts, food wrappers, plastic beverage bottles, plastic bottle caps, plastic straws, and drink stirrers.

Young Mercy programme students participated in a beach clean-up at Bagan Pinang beach, Port Dickson.