Mayor Miri

suppadmin | August 29, 2021

Mayor Miri Adam Yii Siew Sang urged masks to be disposed of in a correct way by cutting it before disposal. He said this was necessary as these face masks pose a real threat to wildlife, including sea life.

According to the organisation The Royal Society For the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals (RSPCA), they have dealt with a heartbreaking 900 incidents of animals caught in litter since the start of the lockdown due to Covid-19 pandemic – including animals tangled in face masks. A campaign circulating online asking for this small request – “Kindly cut used disposable masks into 2 pieces or cut the straps (strings) first before putting them in the bin”.

Yii stated that this is a campaign worthwhile for ever environment-caring Mirians to give their support.

He pointed out that even though the threat in Miri may not reach to an alarming level, Miri City Council has discovered that the indiscriminate throwing away the used face masks at public places, roads, outside food outlets and residential areas is becoming a common scene and an eyesore apart from the possibility of becoming a source of transmitting virus.

Moreover, he added, Miri City is closeness to sea, the inconsiderate altitude of certain individuals in our community may become environmental threat and endanger other living beings in the environment we are now sharing.

He noted that the aforesaid Campaign is meaningful but simply practical. Though, to his knowledge, it has not being publicized in other major towns in the State, Yii said Miri City could support such campaign and treat it as a preemptive measure before such indiscriminate throwing away of used face masks at public places in no time becomes a real threat to our public health and an environmental issue. Though the authority has every right to carry out enforcement against such kind of litter bugs, Miri City Council feels that such campaign may deem to be a better and softer approach over the issue at this stage.

“What can you do to show your concern and help the environment in
supporting the Campaign, it is simple :-

When disposing of your mask, cut off the strings
Throw your masks away in a trash bins or waste baskets. Never litter it on the ground, and try not to throw it away in outdoor trash or set it down outside, as the wind could pick up it up and blow it away,” he stated.