Malaysia Beach Clean with MY Clean Beach
- William Bolton
- Nov 14
- 2 min read
On 2 November the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign reached Malaysia. At Pantai Batu Laut, on Malaysia’s coastline, volunteers from MY Clean Beach gathered together with the Commonwealth Games Association of Malaysia as part of the King’s Baton Relay, to remove plastics and other debris from the shorelines.
The hundred volunteers collected 242.9 kilograms of waste which was then counted and sorted for safe disposal, recycling plastic where possible. Over 40 kilos of plastic was removed and delivered to local recycling centres.
These environmental events provide immediate, measurable reductions in debris that would otherwise threaten marine life and wash back into the sea. My Clean Beach runs events, supplies gloves/bags/tools and prioritises turning short-term action into long-term behaviour change. My Clean Beach also aims to teach schools and community groups about the lifecycle of plastic, alternatives to single-use items, and the local consequences of pollution. Systemic reduction in plastic use requires shifting global habits and education is the pathway to that cultural change.
Clean-ups remove plastics before they fragment into microplastics or entangle wildlife, and they turn participants into advocates who change behaviour at home and in their communities. Sea turtles, of which 4 species nest in Malaysia, are particularly threatened by ocean plastic pollution. Sepatu Art designed Malaysia’s baton to incorporate a sea turtle, alongside other national wildlife, such as tigers and orangutans.
The baton also brought together students from sports schools across the country, and national athletes such as gymnast Ng Shu Wai and sprinter Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli.
Malaysia has played a meaningful role in the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign, with volunteers and local partner conservation groups working together to remove and properly manage significant amounts of marine debris. This collective effort not only demonstrates Malaysia’s commitment to safeguarding its own coastlines, but also highlights its leadership within the Commonwealth in championing healthier, cleaner, and more resilient marine environments for future generations and contributing towards the 1 million piece goal.
ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN
The Royal Commonwealth Society’s Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign will prevent one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waterways.
The campaign will combine education and local action to encourage people to reduce their plastic waste, highlight alternatives, and reduce pollution across the Commonwealth.
For the action component of the campaign, the Royal Commonwealth Society has partnered with Commonwealth Sport to deliver the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign as a core component of The King’s Baton Relay. This newly envisioned King’s Baton Relay will focus on sustainability and environmentalism and was launched by His Majesty The King at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day 2025, beginning a 500-day journey to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July 2026.
Journeying through every Commonwealth nation and territory, this partnership will bring together young people, athletes, conservation groups, and the local community for a week of activities, including a plastic clean-up.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Royal Commonwealth Society.
