Littering is sadly, still a common practice among local villagers and loads of rubbish can be spotted along Kinabatangan River during river cruises. We decided to do a ‘River Clean-up’ awareness activity on 16 March 2017 from 9.30am-10.30am involving our SRL staff, in which, many of them are locals too. By doing this, we’re not only educating our collaborators, but also all the villagers who saw us picking the rubbish in the river banks around their housing area.

Briefing session

We had 17 volunteers for the activity (some could not participate because of their working schedule and high demand of the lodge during this time) who truly engaged with the cause. It was good to see their great team work and enthusiasm to participate.

Three teams were formed with one monitor by boat (to make sure rules were followed and to control time). In only one hour, 111.5 Kg of rubbish were collected in the surrounding areas of the lodge. The winning team was team no. 2, who collected 10 bags of rubbish which added up 55.8 kg of garbage. The other two teams collected 6 bags each, which was around 30 kg per team.

17 Volunteers

The most common materials found were plastic bottles, polystyrene containers as well as shampoo and detergent bottles. But among all of those, we also found many clothes, slippers, rubber boots, tires, metal cans, one dismantled TV and also a computer! Fortunately, most of the trash we collected were able to be sent off for recycling, which brought about an even greater positive impact!

Before our monthly sustainability talk the following day, all the teams were congratulated for their effort. The winning team received a ‘Sustainable Kit’ which includes a SRL reusable bag, one reusable water bottle and one reusable food container while all the other participants received a reusable food container. In addition to that, everyone received a ‘Friend of Sustainability Certificate’ as a token of appreciation for their cooperation and participation. These prizes are also a way to promote awareness and to make them understand the importance of the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Hopefully, events like this will continue to happen in the future, helping to heal our planet Earth and educating the present generations.

Again, congratulations to all!

Fresh start for 2017! This year is the International Year for Sustainable Tourism Development. Sukau Rainforest Lodge is an Eco-lodge that follows the ecotourism principles and among many things, tries to cause the less environmental impact possible through the implementation of eco-friendly practices such as the water and energy saving and proper waste management.

1. Monthly activity: Sustainability talk

On 26th of January, a presentation was conducted for SRL staff with some guest who joined and participated in the discussion. There were a few subject that was approached during the presentation, which where staff were introduced to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism Development which include tourism global impact and 5 specific goals for 2017,  and waste management.

Sukau Rainforest Lodge trained staff, increasing their awareness and daily commitment. Quality education is offered on a regular basis, not just in the environmental field, but in several areas of study.

2. UN Sustainable Development GOALS & 2017 IYSTD – Bilit Wing Board

UN Sustainable Development GOALS

3. SRL recycling & compost process update

Rearrangement of the recycling system and sale restart. Recycling and composting is compulsory in every place of Sukau Rainforest Lodge, including staff quarters. Each department is in charge of one place.

4. English classes

English language class

Every Monday, from 8pm to 9pm, an English class is conducted in staff quarters in order to provide a higher education and to meet the staff IDP goals.

5. No polystyrene from outside

When the staff visit a local market which also known as Tamu, they are not allowed to bring any polystyrene to the lodge and plastic bags are forbidden every Saturday. Reusable bags are available in every van and boat for the guides to carry the guests`packed lunch.

6. Monthly activity: Sustainability talk

On 16 & 17 of February, a presentation was conducted to SDK & SRL staff. The subject approached on that day was about SRL green policies & sustainable practices.

Prepared by: Filipa Gomes