The Malaysian Recycling Alliance (MAREA) celebrated the first anniversary of its launch recently with a pledge to boost recycling rate to 25% of plastic waste of its members’ packaging volumes by 2025.
The celebration held on Jan 21, 2022 was officiated by the Environment and Water Minister Dato’ Sri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man. Also present was Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Dato’ Sri Dr Hj Ismail Hj Abd Muttalib.
Tuan Ibrahim said with the Environment and Water Ministry (KASA) being a key driver in steering efforts to attain Sustainable Malaysia 2030, the strategic thrust of Malaysia Plastics Sustainability Roadmap is to implement mandatory EPR initiatives and reach a recycling rate of 25% for post-consumer plastic packaging by 2025.
“In line with this, we are heartened by MAREA’s proactive pledge and voluntary initiatives which are very much aligned with our own vision and goals. Through this dynamic multi-stakeholder approach, the Ministry believes that the results can strengthen the recycling circular economy, leading to a more sustainable future for all Malaysians,” he said.
MAREA started operations on Jan 4, 2021 with 10 founding member companies, namely Coca-Cola Malaysia, Colgate-Palmolive Malaysia, Dutch Lady Milk Industries, Etika Group of Companies, Fraser & Neave Holdings Malaysia, Mondelēz International (Malaysia), Nestlé Malaysia, Spritzer, Tetra Pak Malaysia and Unilever Malaysia.
The alliance aims to promote circular use of packaging in Malaysia, by driving behavioural changes along the value chain and fostering high rates of segregation, collection and recycling.
Ismail said the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) would extend support to local authorities to drive positive socio-economic development, with the aim of ensuring healthy and prosperous communities.
“Responsible management of waste is integral to this, and this is why we are working towards achieving the country’s national recycling rate target. MAREA’s launch is highly laudable, bringing together fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) member companies that are eager to lead recycling initiatives with one unified goal,” he said.
MAREA has pledged to recycle a minimum of 25% of plastic waste of its members’ packaging volumes by 2025 which is also aligned with the national ambition under the 12th Malaysian Plan, as well as the Malaysia Plastic Sustainability Roadmap 2021-2030 recently launched by KASA.
Initially, MAREA’s focus will be on the collection, separation and recycling of the main types of post-consumer packaging materials, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, used beverage cartons (UBC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) packs and flexible plastic packaging.
MAREA chairman Juan Aranols, who is also Nestle Malaysia chief executive officer, said environmental conservation is the key priority.
“We have to protect the planet’s natural resources and preserve biodiversity and the ecosystems that support many of our communities. Plastic waste is an important environmental challenge and is a problem in Malaysia and across South-East Asia. We must raise awareness, and with the support of KASA and KPKT, we will join forces to accelerate the implementation of sustainable and enduring solutions.”
MAREA general manager Pauline Goh said the alliance will also carry out Consumer Education and Public Awareness programmes to the general public to facilitate behaviour change by educating on the importance of recycling and separation at source.
MAREA targets to commence these activities in the first quarter of 2022 with pilot projects in Selangor, Penang and Perak.
 celebrates the first anniversary of its launch with minimum 25% recycling rate pledge by 2025.){kind=link}