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Hundreds of Nestlé Cares volunteers join hands to clean oceans and encourage Malaysians to not litter
PETALING JAYA, September 26, 2023 – Nestlé (Malaysia) Berhad continues to champion environmental sustainability with the return of its annual nationwide beach and underwater clean-up initiative. As part of the Company’s journey towards net-zero emissions and plastic neutrality, this yearly activity is a platform to raise awareness amongst its employees as well as the public on the critical issue of marine pollution and encourage responsible management of post-consumer packaging waste.
Leading by example – Juan Aranols, CEO of Nestlé (Malaysia) Berhad [Left] and Tawau Marine Police Force (PPM) ASP Mohd Sofian AG Damit [right], unite for marine conservation in Mabul Island, Sabah. Held in conjunction with World Clean Up Day, this year's initiative, driven by the collective effort of over 400 Nestlé Cares volunteers, resulted in the recovery of 2 tonnes of waste from six beach locations and two underwater sites across the nation. All the collected waste was sent to specialised ocean-bound recyclers for its separating, recycling, or safe disposal, ensuring that nothing ends up in landfills. Since its launch in 2019, the initiative has successfully diverted a total of 14 tonnes of waste from polluting landfills and oceans.
Nestlé Cares volunteers carried out underwater clean-up and reef conservation activities in Mabul Island, Sabah and Perhentian Island, Terengganu, as part of its annual beach clean-up. The plastic collected through these activities is just the tip of the iceberg of the Company’s extensive waste collection efforts. Its main programme, Project SAVE, focuses on plastic neutrality through five voluntary Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiatives, namely Kita Recycle (KitaR) targeting rural areas, Klang River Plastic Collection Programme, CARETon Project, Strata Recycling Programme and Door-to-Door Collection & Recycling Programme. In 2023, these programmes will result in the collection of 12,000 tonnes of waste by year end, and nearly 20,000 tonnes of waste since the launch in 2020, with approximately two-thirds of this volume being plastics.
Mr Juan Aranols, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé (Malaysia) Berhad, said, "Nestlé Malaysia’s annual beach and underwater clean-ups are a great platform for civic engagement and environmental awareness amongst our employees. Advancing our actions to fight against plastic pollution and spearhead plastic neutrality goes in parallel with continued virgin plastic reduction content in our products and our efforts to promote responsible waste management in Malaysia through the collection, separation, and recycling of materials.”
“It is heartening to see our Nestlé Cares volunteers once again coming together across the nation. We were honoured by the involvement of representatives from the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), as well as from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC). Collective action is key to overcoming environmental challenges and spearheading meaningful changes towards a more sustainable Malaysia. We hope this initiative inspires more action from the public and we invite Malaysians to join us in taking better care of our planet and namely the oceans by ensuring the responsible disposal of waste.”
The beach clean-up locations included Pantai Kelanang, Selangor; Pantai Saujana, Negeri Sembilan; Teluk Ketapang, Terengganu; Pantai Teluk Bayu, Penang; Pantai Batu Layar, Johor and Pantai Pasir Panjang, Sarawak. Taking a step beyond the shore, the Company also undertook an underwater clean-up and the planting of corals, in two locations: Mabul Island, Sabah, and Perhentian Island, Terengganu, as part of efforts to protect Malaysia’s marine ecosystem and restore precious coral reefs. The team also made a return visit to check the corals that were planted in Mabul Island last year, which coincided with the Company's momentous 110th anniversary.
Nestlé Cares volunteers making a positive impact on beach cleanliness across six beach locations. About Nestlé Malaysia
Nestlé is the world’s largest food and beverage manufacturer. Headquartered in Switzerland, Nestlé is present in more than 180 countries around the world, and our 270,000 employees are committed to Nestlé’s purpose of unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come. Our performance is driven by our Nutrition, Health and Wellness strategy. Nourishing Malaysians since 1912, Nestlé has earned the trust of our consumers through our quality brands and products. We are committed to improving the lives of the communities in which we operate, whilst maintaining our Halal excellence and integrity.
This is in line with our promise of delivering GOOD FOOD, GOOD LIFE to all. To learn more about how we have been nourishing Malaysians for over a century, do visit www.nestle.com.my or our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/Nestle.Malaysia.
For more information, please contact:
Shaheen Zaffar
Nestlé (Malaysia) Berhad
Tel: (+603) 7965 6456
E-mail: [email protected]
Shahida Irawan or Yasmin Kadir
acorn communications
Tel: (+603) 7958 8348
E-mail: [email protected]