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Long-running programme combines environmental restoration, community education and local stewardship to help protect Malaysia’s coastlines and marine ecosystems
What began as a beach clean-up programme in 2019 has evolved into a broader effort to protect Malaysia's coastlines and marine ecosystems through conservation, education and community action. Now in its seventh year, Nestlé Malaysia's Coastal and Underwater Clean-Up initiative brings together employee volunteers, communities and partners nationwide to drive lasting impact through activities ranging from ghost nets and marine debris recovery to coral reef protection and environmental education.
This evolution reflects a growing focus on creating lasting environmental impact. Drawing on observations from clean-up sites over multiple years, Nestlé Malaysia and its partners have seen encouraging signs of reduced waste volumes at several locations, suggesting greater awareness and more responsible waste disposal practices among local communities.
Building on this momentum, the 2026 programme placed greater emphasis on community education and stewardship. At Pantai Kelanang, Selangor, environmental restoration activities were paired with Sustainability Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) sessions with Orang Asli residents from Teluk Tongkah and Permatang Buah Kelanang, providing them with practical guidance on waste segregation, recycling and responsible disposal. The initiative aims to empower communities to take an active role in protecting their environment over the long term.
Juan Aranols, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Malaysia, said, “At Nestlé, our Creating Shared Value approach is about making a positive difference for both people and the planet. Our coastlines and marine ecosystems are precious natural assets that support livelihoods, food security and biodiversity, and protecting them requires sustained action, education and a shared commitment to stewardship of natural ecosystems. With my fellow community of Nestlé divers, I have seen first-hand both the beauty and fragility of our marine environment. From removing crown-of-thorns starfish that threaten coral reefs to recovering ghost nets left behind from fishing activities, our underwater conservation efforts have reinforced the importance of protecting these ecosystems for the long term. As the programme evolves, we are placing greater emphasis on education and community engagement, because lasting change happens when people are empowered to become active stewards of the environments they depend on.”
As Nestlé Malaysia's long-standing environmental partner for the initiative, Mohd Faisal Abdur Rani, Co-Founder and Program Director of Impact Revolution Enterprise, shared, “Over the years, we have seen the Coastal and Underwater Clean-Up initiative evolve from an effort focused on removing waste into a broader platform for environmental awareness and community action. At several locations where clean-ups have been conducted consistently, we have observed lower volumes of waste collected during comparable periods. While factors such as tides, seasons and visitor activity can influence the amount of waste present, this is an encouraging sign that awareness and responsible waste disposal behaviours may be improving. It also reinforces the importance of sustained engagement, education and stronger community ownership of coastal environments.”
Beyond Pantai Kelanang, the 2026 programme reached communities across Kedah, Kelantan, Johor, Sabah and Pahang, combining coastal clean-ups with underwater conservation activities. In Pulau Tioman, Nestlé Malaysia partnered with the Department of Fisheries Malaysia and Reef Check Malaysia to remove the crown-of-thorns starfish in support of coral reef conservation. Across all locations this year, almost 400 volunteers collected 1,259.51kg of waste, bringing the total waste collected since 2019 to nearly 18 tonnes.
The Coastal and Underwater Clean-Up initiative is part of the Nestlé Sayang Komuniti volunteer platform, which enables employees to contribute directly to community and environmental causes. Through strong collaboration with local communities, NGOs and public sector stakeholders, Nestlé Malaysia continues to create shared value for both people and the planet.
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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
acorn communications
Tel: (+603) 7958 8348
Mobile: +6011-3770 3620 (Wardah) or +6017-237 9048 (Yasmin)
E-mail: [email protected]
