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Refreshed platform builds on Project SAVE’s recovery of 50,000 tonnes of recyclables and recoverables, while expanding community access to recycling services and education nationwide
Nestlé Malaysia is taking its flagship community recycling programme into its next phase with the launch of Nestlé KITAR, the refreshed platform for Project SAVE (Segregate, Avoid, Value, Educate), the nation's largest voluntary Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiative. Building on more than six years of partnerships and impact, Nestlé KITAR will expand community recycling participation and strengthen Malaysia's transition towards a more circular economy through enhanced collection services, recycling education and strategic partnerships nationwide.
[Third from right] Juan Aranols, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Malaysia, with [second from left] YB Tuan Syed Ibrahim bin Syed Noh, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, alongside [far left] Katarzyna Grzybowska, Assistant Vice President of Nestlé S.A. and Head of Sustainability for Zone Asia, Oceania & Africa; [second from right] Dr. Margaret Kuyor, Deputy Undersecretary (Circular Economy), Urban Sustainability Division, Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT); and [far right] Raja Nurmaria Murni Raja Nur Azmi, Executive Director of Group Corporate Affairs, Nestlé Malaysia & Singapore at the launch of Nestlé KITAR, Nestlé Malaysia’s refreshed community recycling platform that builds on the six-year impact of Project SAVE to expand access to recycling services, strengthen recycling education and encourage greater community participation towards a more circular and sustainable Malaysia.
Nestlé KITAR was introduced recently at the “Nestlé: Sustainability, Connected” event, which was officiated by YB Tuan Syed Ibrahim bin Syed Noh, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability. Also in attendance was Ms. Katarzyna Grzybowska, Assistant Vice President of Nestlé S.A. and Head of Sustainability for Zone Asia, Oceania & Africa, alongside representatives from government agencies, industry partners and civil society organisations.
Juan Aranols, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Malaysia, said, “Malaysia generates an estimated 40,000 tonnes of solid waste every day, with a significant proportion comprising materials that could potentially be recycled. This underlines the importance of making recycling more accessible and strengthening Separation-at-Source. Nestlé KITAR is a critical part of how we deliver on our global vision that none of our packaging ends up in landfill or as litter. Reduced use of plastics and better packaging design are necessary blocks to build a circular economy. Additionally, we must also strengthen collection and recovery through effective recycling systems, community participation and strong partnerships. Project SAVE has laid this foundation over the past six years. Through Nestlé KITAR, we will now further build on this progress to reach more households and help make responsible recycling practices part of everyday life.”
[Third from right] Juan Aranols, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Malaysia, with [centre] YB Tuan Syed Ibrahim bin Syed Noh, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, during a walkabout at the Nestlé KITAR booth, showcasing how Nestlé Malaysia’s community recycling efforts have evolved since Project SAVE was launched in 2020, reaching approximately 270,000 households across nine cities and recovering 50,000 tonnes of recyclable materials to date.
Since its establishment in 2020, Project SAVE has grown to serve approximately 270,000 households across nine cities, providing regular household recycling collection and encouraging Separation-at-Source. To date, the programme has recovered and recycled 50,000 tonnes of dry mixed recyclables, including 32,000 tonnes of plastics.
Nestlé KITAR reflects the collective effort required to build a more effective recycling ecosystem. It embodies a shared responsibility among industry, government agencies, local authorities, waste management concessionaires, recyclers and communities to expand collection services, reduce waste, strengthen recycling education and encourage consistent household participation. These partnerships also enable recycling services and community engagement initiatives to be tailored to local needs as the programme continues to expand across Malaysia.
The platform complements the Company's broader efforts to reduce virgin plastic, increase the use of recycled materials and design packaging for recyclability. As of 2025, 95.6% of Nestlé Malaysia's packaging was designed for recycling, building on pioneering innovations including the introduction of high-quality recycled plastic resin (rPET) bottles across its Ready-to-Drink beverage portfolio, a first in Malaysia, as well as replacing plastic bowls and cups with sustainable paper-based alternatives across selected product categories. The Company was also the first in Malaysia to transition to 100% paper straws across its entire UHT range, helping eliminate more than 1.2 billion plastic straws from the environment to date.
Together, these initiatives address the packaging lifecycle, from reducing material use and designing for recyclability to strengthening post-consumer collection and recovery. Through Nestlé KITAR, Nestlé Malaysia aims to help make recycling a more accessible and habitual part of everyday life, contributing to a stronger circular economy and a more sustainable future for Malaysia.
About Nestlé Malaysia: Nourishing Malaysians for Over a Century
Since 1912, Nestlé has been dedicated to nourishing Malaysians and building their trust through our high-quality brands and products. We contribute to food security as well as to the health and well-being of the Rakyat through our trusted brands and a long-term commitment to Malaysia in the form of investments, employment, and various initiatives that uplift local communities. Today, we operate six factories, employing over 5,000 Malaysians, and we are the Halal Centre of Excellence for Nestlé globally. We are committed to providing halal, nutritious, and high-quality products with sustainability at the heart of our business practices - Made in Malaysia, by Malaysians, for all Malaysians.
As the world's largest food and beverage manufacturer, with our headquarters based in Switzerland, Nestlé operates in over 180 countries. With a workforce of over 270,000 dedicated employees, we are driven by our purpose to unlock the power of food, enhancing the quality of life for everyone, both today and for future generations. Our commitment to nutrition, health, and wellness guides our performance, ensuring we deliver on our promise of GOOD FOOD, GOOD LIFE.
To discover more about our century-long journey of nourishing Malaysians, please visit our website at https://www.Nestlé.com.my/ask-Nestlé/we-are-Nestlé.
For more information, please contact:
Shaheen Zaffar
Nestlé Malaysia
Tel: (+603) 7965 6456
Mobile: +6012-235 6865
E-mail: [email protected]
Nik Wardah or Yasmin Kadir
Commas PR acorn communications
Tel: (+603) 7958 8348
Mobile: +6011-377-3620 (Wardah) or +6017-237 9048 (Yasmin)
E-mail: [email protected]
