Over two weekends, 37 students from the Faculty of Business and Communications at INTI International University, in collaboration with Life Line Clothing Malaysia Sdn Bhd, collected an impressive 1,270 kilograms of used fabric. This initiative targeted places of worship around Nilai, Salak Tinggi, and Seremban, where the fabrics were gathered and transported by trucks to Life Line Clothing’s offices for upcycling.
Klara Arokiyasamy (on the far left) stands with student volunteers and the fabric they collected at the Nilai Gospel Church.
Klara Arokiasamy, a lecturer from the Faculty of Business and Communications and the leader of this project, highlighted that this was the second series of their fabric upcycling programme, following a pilot project conducted in March. Over the weekends of June 23, 29, and 30, the students collected used fabric from various places of worship, including Surau, Temples, and Churches.
“Our goal is not only to help reduce fabric waste but also to make collection points easily accessible in places like places of worship,” Klara explained. “These locations are central to communities and frequented by many people.”
Wong Kai Ling (second from the left) with her group members at the Church of Visitation, Seremban.
The substantial collection of 1,270 kilograms of fabric came from Nilai Gospel Church, Arulmihu Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Salak Tinggi, Church of Visitation in Seremban, Sri Balathandayuthapani Temple, and Surau Besar Gedung Lalang Ampangan. These places of worship have also agreed to set up fabric recycling bins, similar to those at INTI International University, to facilitate future collections.
One student, Wong Kai Ling, from the Foundation in Information Technology program, shared her personal connection to the project. As a churchgoer, she felt “proud and happy” to lead her group in helping other members of her congregation properly dispose of or donate their used fabrics. However, she expressed concern about the general awareness of fabric upcycling in Malaysia. “Malaysians don’t usually give enough attention to fabric upcycling. So, we need to raise awareness in the community,” Kai Ling emphasized. She also hopes to involve students from local schools in future projects.
Students from the Faculty of Business and Communications at INTI International University carry a fabric load at the Sri Balathandayuthapani Temple.
The collaborative efforts of the students from INTI International University and Life Line Clothing Malaysia have showcased the power of community engagement and the importance of sustainability. This initiative has united diverse communities with a shared goal of reducing fabric waste and promoting upcycling.
With the success of this series, Klara, the students, and Life Line Clothing Malaysia are already planning their next steps. They aim to broaden their impact and continue making a difference, one piece of fabric at a time.