In a recent study by Utility Bidder, a United Kingdom (UK) Energy Service Provider, Malaysia has been identified as the 10th top country in the world for discharging plastic waste into the ocean. Approximately 46% of plastic waste is discarded in landfills, while 22% remains unmanaged, posing a significant threat to public health.
Concerned about this environmental crisis, the Pre-University Studies and other faculties at INTI International College Subang (IICS) decided to take action. They partnered with The Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) Malaysia, Kloth Circularity, and Community Recycle for Charity (CRC Box), launching the IICS 5R CSR campaign, which focuses on the principles of Reduce, Refuse, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle.
For two months, the campaign set out to collect at least 500 kilograms of fabrics and various waste materials each. Not only did they surpass their target, but they achieved an outstanding result of 4985 kg of recyclable items!
The 5R CSR event successfully collected a total of 4985 kilogrammes of recyclable items.
Punitha Sivanatham, the project leader, a senior lecturer, and a respected CSR champion, expressed her commitment to educating students, saying, “The CSR team, consisting of 18 lecturers from diverse courses, joined forces with over a hundred students who worked diligently to achieve our expected outcomes.”
The winner of the InnoGreen Competition 2023 cheerfully posed for a group photo.
“We focused on promoting the campaign through various platforms, all guided by a singular vision: fostering a mindset of rethinking consumption, with a strong emphasis on resource recovery and waste reduction,” she added.
Sebastian Yew Seik Xuan, an art foundation student, shared his observations about the positive changes. “The community are now familiar with Kloth Community and the CRC Box. It’s heartwarming to see people picking up bottles and gathering waste clothes for donation.”
Reanna Kasha Jacob, another student, shared her insights, stating, “Inaccessibility and the lack of knowledge are often the reasons why we don’t act first.”
She continued, “The 5R Campaign has championed education and heightened awareness about environmental care. Think of it this way: while one person’s efforts might seem like a small drop in the vast ocean of change, bringing together dozens or even hundreds of passionate individuals becomes a powerful wave.”
Reanna emphasised teamwork, saying, “Being part of a team isn’t just about a task list; it’s having a group of friends, allies who share the mission of collecting and recycling, turning each small action into a meaningful collective effort.”
She shared a goal for a better future: “We can break free from overflowing landfills by repurposing much of our waste. Yes, we might be playing catch-up with nations already embracing eco-friendly practices, but it’s an achievable goal. Let’s avoid creating more landfills, preserving biodiversity, and keeping our soil free from harmful chemicals in decomposing materials.”
Dr Jane Lim, Chief Executive of INTI International College Subang and VP of Academic Support & Partnership at INTI International University & Colleges, emphasised, “INTI is committed to collecting recyclables for charitable purposes. Collaborating with SWCorp, Kloth Circularity, and Community Recycle for Charity (CRC Box) has supported CSR initiatives and fostered innovation and competitiveness.
(From left to right) Dr Jane Lim, Chief Executive of INTI International College Subang and VP of Academic Support & Partnership at INTI International University & Colleges presented a token of appreciation to Adelyn Ghwee, Marketing & Communications Assistant Manager at Kloth Circularity.
She highlighted, “This partnership encourages the exchange of best practices and solutions, leading to numerous benefits for our commitment to sustainability.”
Ummi Kalthum Shuib, Director of the Management Division at SWCorp Wilayah Persekutuan (WP), expressed pride in witnessing such initiatives. She stated, “Events like these are crucial, as the country’s recycling rate is still below 40%.”
Ummi Kalthum Shuib, Director of the Management Division at SWCorp WP, during her lecture on Waste Management in Malaysia.
She praised INTI’s contributions, stating, “INTI’s contributions are truly instrumental in aiding the government’s objectives, particularly in elevating the recycling rate. Observing the tangible impact of INTI’s collection for this program is heartening, reflecting the collective efforts propelling us towards a more sustainable future.”
Adelyn Ghwee, Marketing & Communications Assistant Manager at Kloth Circularity, shared, “This marks our third collaboration with INTI, and each time emphasises the significance of education awareness, especially starting at the school level.”
She stressed the collective responsibility for waste reduction: “Everyone must understand their role in waste reduction. Waste isn’t solely the responsibility of one party – neither the government nor organisations alone can address it. We all need to play our part”.
Let this campaign stand as a beacon of hope and urgency, catalysing an immediate and widespread awakening. It reminds us that our actions profoundly shape the legacy we leave for generations to come.