Over 140 volunteers ranging from village heads, students from higher education institutions, and various organisations joined forces to clean the Brunei River at Kampong Ayer on Sunday.
Some 165 plastic bags, weighing over 1,300 kilogrammes, were collected from various zones in Kampong Ayer, including Kampong Sungai Siamas, Kampong Sungai Kebun, Pulau Berambang and around the river area.
The event organised by Green Brunei, is part of the EU-ASEAN Green Diplomacy Week, a global campaign launched by the European Union (EU) and its member states to spark conversations and inspire action for the environment. The initiative aimed to boost public awareness on waste segregation and promote lasting environmental habits in Brunei, aiming to improve the country’s low recycling rate and support zero-waste goals.
Chargé d’affaires of the EU Delegation to ASEAN Radomir Jensky emphasised the EU’s commitment to environmental sustainability, highlighting Kampong Ayer’s cultural and natural heritage. He urged collective action to protect ecosystems, tackle climate change, and foster environmental responsibility.
The event also featured quizzes and competitions, with prizes for categories like most trash collected by boat, the most gathered on the riverbed and the best guess of the total trash weight. Supported by the Ministry of Development through the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation and the Public Works Department, the Ministry of Home Affairs, through the Fire and Rescue Department, and the Brunei-Muara District Office, as well as the Ministry of Education, the event underscored collaborative efforts for a greener future.
