Malaysians have been introduced to the recycling concept for more than a decade ago through awareness and promotions. However, the recycling rate among Malaysians is still relatively very low, 17.5% in 2016 (ISWA, 2017). 

To boost the recycling rate in Malaysia, this project is developed with central aim to engage school students around Klang Valley to start recycle. 

Through GEC’s SMART (Start Managing All Resources Together) Ranger Programme, school students will be empowered through practical action on sustainable solid waste management and they will be introduced to Recycle for Life (RFL) programme - a systematic buy-back system that allows exchange of recyclable items with money.

Duration: April 2018 - March 2020

Funder: Coca Cola Foundation

Partners: Recycle For Life (RFL), River of Life Public Outreach Programme (ROLPOP), State Education Department (Kuala Lumpur & Selangor), Ministry of Education (MoE), Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Malaysia

Target Groups: 80 schools within Klang Valley area engaging around 500 students per school

Aim/objective:

The goal of this project is to introduce a systematic buy-back system to increase the recycling practices among students to enhance the waste reduction mechanism and stimulate a culture of recycling among the school community.

The project aims to achieve its goal through 3 objectives, which are:

• To promote Zero waste concept to the schools in Malaysia through SMART Ranger programme;
• To establish and promote recycling programme through customised buy-back system that allows the students to venture into a business model; and
• To enhance awareness, knowledge and skills among the youths especially the school students on recycling practices to increase the current recycling rate and inculcate the environmental friendly behaviours.

Summary of Project Achievements:

• The project was launched on 25 July 2019 by Mr. Gareth McGeown, CEO Coca-Cola Bottlers Malaysia at SMK (P) Methodist Kuala Lumpur. 105 students from 14 schools were invited. It received coverage from total PR value of RM 56,622.
• 9 SMART (Start Managing All Resources Today) Rangers Training of Trainers (ToT) were conducted with focus on promoting Zero Waste Concept through GEC’s 4R2C Approach: Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Compost and Close the Loop (buying back items made out of recycled materials).
• 154 schools were engaged in the recycling initiatives. In total, 47,903 kg of recyclables and 600 unit of e-waste were collected and saved from ending up in the river or landfills. The project collaborated with Recycle for Life (RFL) vendor for recyclable wastes collection on monthly basis. 
• 49 Kawasan Rukun Tetangga (KRT) and Residential Associations as well as officers from agencies; MPAJ, MPK and JPNIN were encouraged to collect recyclables. In 2 years, the communities and agencies officers collected 25,566 kg of recyclables and 335 unit of e-wastes.
• Successfully engaged 46 schools to conduct composting, 94 schools establish school gardening, 45 schools focused on used cooking oil collection, 15 schools organise workshops on soap and candle making from used cooking oil and 9 schools exposed students on upcycling activities. Besides that, 55 local communities and agencies, practice at least one of the listed SMART Ranger initiatives.
• Organised a recycling competition for a period of 6 months. Successfully engaged 17 schools registered to participate in the competition; nine (9) secondary schools and eight (8) primary schools.

For more information on the project, please contact outreach@gec.org.my .