KUALA LUMPUR – Environmental NGO Zero Waste Malaysia has launched its free-to-access ‘MY Zero Waste Life – Summarized’ handbook in a virtual event yesterday.
The handbook is a guide for individuals looking to change their lifestyle habits towards sustainable living.
The comprehensive compilation work is available in four languages – Malay, English, Mandarin and Tamil. It features a unique compilation of valuable insights, nifty hacks, anecdotes and useful information from experts and practitioners communicated through engaging illustrations and stories.
Zero Waste Malaysia head of finance, funding and external relations Jasreel Lim said that the environmental NGO is committed to advocating for a waste-free society. The handbook will be a step at ensuring the effort starts from an individual level, and eventually help expand towards a shared community effort in making a difference.
“Frankly, Malaysia’s track record at handling waste is not great as we ranked at second place in Asia when it comes to generating the most plastic waste.
“In addition, it seems as though the very beautiful tropical nature that we grew side-by-side with has become the unofficial dumping site when dealing with waste. Just look at your surroundings and you will definitely see,” noted Lim.
“Hence, any efforts to rethink and help shape the future of a clean and safe Malaysia must start from you and me, even amid the present pandemic.
“We hope the interactive handbook launched today can help people by being the go-to guide that shows simple steps with a big impact on how to live waste-free,” she added.
Lim shared that back in 2016, Zero Waste Malaysia started as a community group with only two people (with big aspirations) onboard.
“Since then, we have grown so much where today we have around 38,000 members on our Facebook group alone,” she said, noting how it signifies the nation’s growing interest in sustainable living.
Striving for a sustainable, waste-free Malaysia
The event also saw the support of the Ministry of Environment and Water (Kasa) with its Environmental Management Division undersecretary, Jamalulail Abu Bakar, officiating the virtual launch.
He highlighted: “Kasa is honoured to support any educational initiatives for a better – and more sustainable – future such as today. And rest assured we were very excited to find out what Zero Waste Malaysia has put forth."
On a more overarching view, Jamalulail noted that the launch of the handbook including the activities that Zero Waste Malaysia has pushed for thus far in empowering the network of communities across the country to preserve the environment is in line with the aspirations under Malaysia’s roadmap towards zero single-use plastic.
It is also seen as moving in tandem with the ministry’s commitment to upholding UN’s sustainable development goals, namely; SDG11 – Sustainable cities and communities, SDG12 – Sustainable consumption and production, and SDG14 – Life below water.
He added that environmental pollution and marine litter issues in Malaysia are among the concerns that Kasa looks into seriously. The objective, in reducing its impact together with like-minded bodies/agencies, through practical and achievable methods, is the way forward in a collective approach.
“The keyword here is ‘daily lifestyle’. Every day when we wake up, it starts with how we chart our environment (with best practices) for the rest of our lives.
“Systematic change could not be applied successfully if behavioural changes (on the individual and community level) do not take place to complement any forward-thinking policies and structure.
“We hope that this handbook is able to help nudge such behavioural changes among the public and create the needed awareness that we aspire for our future,” said Jamalulail.
The second half of the virtual launch also saw a sharing session between advocates of a zero-waste lifestyle. The discussion addressed recommended practices and ways of overcoming obstacles for change on the individual, community, and system levels.
Gain inspiration by following the discussion in the video below…
*Download the ‘MY Zero Waste Life – Summarized’ handbook to start your low-waste journey today by visiting https://zerowastemalaysia.org/bersamakitazerowaste
