Old Soles, New Life – EcoKnights https://ecoknights.org.my Empowering Sustainable Living Mon, 11 Sep 2023 16:38:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.5.15 [FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE] First playground surface built using recycled shoes unveiled in Malaysia https://ecoknights.org.my/first-playground-surface-built-using-recycled-shoes-unveiled-in-malaysia/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=elementor-11333 https://ecoknights.org.my/first-playground-surface-built-using-recycled-shoes-unveiled-in-malaysia/#respond Thu, 27 Oct 2022 01:00:19 +0000 https://ecoknights.org.my/?p=11333

The success of this playground will pave the way for more eco-friendly and sustainable sports infrastructure built in the future.

Kuala Lumpur, October 26 2022 – EcoKnights, an environmental sustainability organization along with partners — Dow, a global materials science company, and Life Line Clothing Malaysia, a textile recycling company, announced the launch of Malaysia’s first playground with its surface refurbished using rubber granules from recycled shoes. The recycled shoes were from the Old Soles New Life campaign where used shoes are recycled into sports infrastructures including jogging tracks, fitness corners and playgrounds. The unique built is the first of its kind in the country and is located at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Tadom (A) School in Banting, Selangor.

The Old Soles New Life campaign launched three months ago on 20 July has successfully repurposed some of its collected used shoes into this more eco-friendly and sustainable playground surface. The success of this playground lends confidence to more such builds in the future and for the Old Soles New Life campaign to become self-sustainable in the long run. Three months after its launch, the campaign has collected over 10,700 pairs of shoes or 3,000 kgs of shoes, preventing the shoes from ending up in landfills for hundreds of years, which aligns with the project’s goal of diverting waste away from landfills and is one of the nation’s more prominent waste management solutions. With close to 30 shoe collection points placed across Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur and Johor, there are plans to add more.

Reducing waste generation and increasing recycling rates will contribute to the development of a greener global community, paving the way to a circular economy from the ground up. The event was graced by Y.M Tengku Dato’ Dr. Hishammuddin Zaizi, following his statement on the positive results of these partnerships between NGOs and stakeholders. “The goal of sustainable construction is to create projects that benefit society and the environment, and more companies are needed to support this type of initiative. This project’s collection of 10,000 pairs of shoes is encouraging for Malaysia’s recycling efforts.” He mentioned

“Dow is proud to contribute expertise and technology towards building this playground. We advocate the use of recycled and safer materials, and with our environmentally friendly binders, we are confident that this playground will be welcomed by children,” said Paul Fong, Country Director for Dow Malaysia and Singapore. “As one of the key campaign partners for Old Soles New Life, we are excited to see that the wheel of the circular economy has started rotating through this built.” He added

“This campaign demonstrates how good and strong support from the local community, authorities, and councils will result in a good business model that creates job opportunities that can pique the interest of more people in eco-friendly products that last longer and use safer materials,” said Dr. Yasmin Rasyid, Founder and President of EcoKnights.

While Mr Dale Warren, CEO of Life Line Clothing Malaysia, emphasised the importance of making a larger change beginning with the community itself. He stated, “Overconsumption is one of the issues that occur in the local context; thus, the importance of having such a project, introducing a circular economy.” It recycles what we consume at one point and repurposes it for another purpose.”

Referring to Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Tadom (A), underwent a tragic flood in December 2021, damaging the compound including the groundless school playground. Continuous efforts from the campaign have successfully revitalized the school playground as part of the collective responsibility to help the community and improve students’ lives by providing them with a safe and secure playing environment. Using rubber granules from collected shoe soles, combined with Dow’s water-based and solvent-free binder technology, will provide a more environmentally friendly and safe playground surface option, as part of an initiative to reduce waste.

“The playground is an essential facility for our preschool children, and it was severely damaged by last year’s flood.” “Thankfully, the Old Soles New Life project was successful in improving our school’s infrastructure, ensuring our children’s safety, and allowing them to freely enjoy the playground,” said Pn Mimi Hidayah, Headmaster of SK Bukit Tadom (A), who represented the school community on the day.

Society’s future and present well-being are dependent on both sustainable growth and climate action. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DSM), Malaysia’s recycling rate in 2019 surpassed the predetermined target of 28.1%, which is an increase of 3.5% compared to 24.6% in 2018. In the following year under the authority of Solid Waste Corporation (SWCorp), the recycling rate recorded in the country was 30.67%. This positive trend can be attributed to the involvement of individuals and social groups who are environmentally conscious and keen on resolving waste management issues while also supporting Malaysian communities.

Notes to Editor:

  • EcoKnights and its partners have provided nearly 30 shoe recycling points throughout Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur, and Johor so far, collecting 10,700 pairs of shoes or 3,000 kgs of shoes.
  • The goal of collecting an estimated 4000 pairs of shoes to be converted into granules for the playground’s surface area has been met.
  • Collected and recycled shoes were turned into children’s playground surfaces at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Tadom (A), Banting, Selangor, an indigenous school catering to 100 indigenous students.

ABOUT ECOKNIGHTS®

EcoKnights® is an impact-driven sustainability organisation that provides and delivers development and environmental interventions to communities, government agencies, learning institutions, and companies to mobilise and catalyse the stakeholders towards sustainable development across trans- and interdisciplinary fields to build bridges towards achieving sustainable communities and companies across four main pillars. Each pillar helps to strengthen the legacy of EcoKnights as it empowers the Knights to ideate, create, run and organise meaningful projects to impart long-lasting sustainable and economic impact to the country.

ABOUT  DOW

Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth; asset integration and scale; focused innovation and materials science expertise; leading business positions; and environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership to achieve profitable growth and deliver a sustainable future. The Company’s ambition is to become the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world. Dow’s portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated, science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Dow operates 104 manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 35,700 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $55 billion in 2021. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.


ABOUT LIFE LINE CLOTHING MALAYSIA (LLCM)

Life Line Clothing Malaysia (LLCM) was formed in 2013 with one goal in mind to reduce Malaysia’s fabric waste pollution and divert textiles away from landfills. LLCM collect used textiles and household good across Malaysia by working closely with the communities, corporations and local governments. LLCM also offer hundreds of textile drop-off locations and frequently holds collection drives throughout the country by working hand-in-hand with a number of institutions including schools, places of worship and universities but also developing strong relations with small and large companies. In order to help local charities finance their admirable causes, LLCM also collaborates with them to generate significant revenue by providing the infrastructure and logistics for the collections.

Old Soles, New Life

Old Soles New Life is a shoe recycling program initiated by EcoKnights, Dow and LLCM to introduce Malaysia’s inaugural shoe waste ecosystem. More details about this campaign are retrievable at this link: https://ecoknights.org.my/oldsolesnewlife/

*For media inquiries, you may contact: 

EcoKnights:
Shahirah Anuar
Mobile: +60 115634 2344

Email: shahirah@ecoknights.org.my

Dow:
Kow Sin Yee
Mobile: +65 9815 9557

Email: kow@dow.com

Life Line Clothing Malaysia:

Andrew Jackson
Mobile: +60 18666 2004
Email: andrew@upcycle4better.com

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National Autism Resource Centre FSKM Lancar Kempen ‘Old Soles New Life’ https://ecoknights.org.my/national-autism-resource-centre-fskm-lancar-kempen-old-soles-new-life/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=national-autism-resource-centre-fskm-lancar-kempen-old-soles-new-life https://ecoknights.org.my/national-autism-resource-centre-fskm-lancar-kempen-old-soles-new-life/#respond Thu, 25 Aug 2022 14:32:07 +0000 https://ecoknights.org.my/?p=11277

National Autism Resource Centre (NARC), Fakulti Sains Komputer & Matematik telah bekerjasama dengan EcoKnights Malaysia iaitu sebuah organisasi alam sekitar bukan kerajaan dalam melancarkan kempen’ Old Soles New Life’ iaitu kempen kitar semula kasut. Kerjasama ini juga turut mendapat sokongan dari Dow Malaysia dan Life Line Clothing Malaysia iaitu syarikat kitar semula tekstil terkemuka. Kempen ini merupakan pertama kali dilakukan di Malaysia yang melibatkan pengurusan ekosistem sisa kasut.

Kempen yang berlangsung selama dua bulan bermula dari 4 Ogos sehingga 18 September 2022 ini merupakan fasa pertama projek untuk mendedahkan model ekosistem kitar semula sisa kasut kepada komuniti di Malaysia. Antara jenis kasut yang boleh disumbangkan ialah semua jenis kasut bergetah atau elastomer seperti kasut sukan, kasut sekolah dan but bola sepak tanpa kancing logam, selipar dan juga sandal. NARC mensasarkan jumlah kutipan sebanyak 3,750 pasang kasut atau 1,125 kg. Warga UiTM dijemput untuk mengitar semula kasut terpakai dan yang tidak digunakan ke dalam tong sampah kasut yang disediakan di Kompleks Al-Khawarizmi, Fakulti Sains Komputer dan Matematik.

Berdasarkan statistik dari Lembaga Pembangunan Pelaburan Malaysia (MIDA) telah menganggarkan bahawa jumlah sisa pepejal yang dijana pada 2021 ialah 38,427 tan sehari, dengan 82.5 peratus dilupuskan di tapak pelupusan sampah. Memandangkan kasut mempunyai jangka hayat yang lebih pendek, tapak pelupusan sampah telah menunjukkan peningkatan dalam sisa kasut. Kempen ini akan menangani masalah ruang yang terhad di kawasan tapak pelupusan sampah seterusnya mengurangkan kesan kepada alam sekitar di Malaysia.

Dalam projek ini, pihak Dow Malaysia akan memproses tapak (bahagian bergetah) kasut yang diambil dari sumbangan warga UiTM untuk dikisar dan seterusnya menghasilkan butiran getah. Butiran getah ini akan digunakan dalam pembinaan infrastruktur terutamanya permukaan padang sukan. Antara projek yang telah berjaya dilakukan adalah di taman permainan yang dibina di Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Tadom (A), Banting, Selangor, sebuah sekolah orang asli yang rosak teruk akibat banjir pada Disember 2021.

Presiden EcoKnights, Dr Yasmin Rasyid turut menyatakan bahawa dengan kerjasama ini secara tidak langsung EcoKnights dapat menunjukkan cara bagaimana sisa kasut terpakai boleh digunakan semula untuk tujuan lain dan akhirnya dapat menjana ekonomi sekeliling.

Dalam masa yang sama, Encik Dale Warren sebagai Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Life Line Clothing turut menyatakan bahawa dengan inisiatif ini sedikit sebanyak dapat Dow Malaysia dapat membantu memainkan peranan utama dalam melaksanakan kitar semula kasut di Malaysia.

Pengerusi National Autism Resource Centre (NARC), Professor Dr. Nursuriati Jamil menyambut baik kempen ini dan berharap warga UiTM akan bersama menyokong dengan menyumbang kasut lama di tong pengumpulan terletak di FSKM. Kerjasama di antara UiTM dan pihak industri ini merupakan salah satu tanggungjawab sosial korporat (CSR) dan ini adalah bukti komitmen UiTM dalam menyumbang kembali kepada masyarakat. Pada masa akan datang, NARC merancang untuk bekerjasama dengan Industry, Community and Alumni Network (ICAN) UiTM dan UiTM Green Centre (UGC) untuk projek yang melibatkan kelestarian universiti dan komuniti.

— UiTM News Hub

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Puchong folk giving old shoes new life https://ecoknights.org.my/puchong-folk-giving-old-shoes-new-life/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=puchong-folk-giving-old-shoes-new-life https://ecoknights.org.my/puchong-folk-giving-old-shoes-new-life/#respond Thu, 25 Aug 2022 14:20:30 +0000 https://ecoknights.org.my/?p=11273

Kingston Law, nine, contributing used shoes from his household to the “Old Soles, New Life” programme’s recycling bin at Lake Edge, Puchong. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star

Residents of Lake Edge in Puchong, Selangor, are taking their recycling to the next level with the “Old Soles, New Life” programme.

The initiative processes the rubber parts of old footwear into granules used to create safe playground surfaces, running tracks and floor padding.

The programme is a collaboration between sustainability organisation EcoKnights, materials science company Dow Chemical and textile recycling company Life Line Clothing Malaysia (LLCM).

Lake Edge Residents Association chairman Mariam Osman said at the launch, a single wheelie bin was quickly filled up with old shoes.

“There is good awareness among residents on green efforts as we also have a twice-monthly collection of recyclable materials and garden waste,” she added.

EcoKnights founder and president Dr Yasmin Rasyid shared that less than a month after kicking off the programme on July 20, they had reached their collection target of 4,000 pairs of shoes to rebuild the playground of SK Bukit Tadom (A), an Orang Asli school in Banting, Selangor, which had been damaged by the December 2021 floods.

“We hope to replicate this effort for the playgrounds at PPR flats, Kemas preschools and community spaces in need,” she said.

Kinrara assemblyman Ng Sze Han and Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng were present at the launch along with Dow Chemical Singapore and Malaysia country director Paul Fong and LLCM chief executive officer Dale Warren.

“The Selangor government welcomes initiatives like this because we need to reduce the waste sent to landfills,” said Sze Han, who is also Selangor local government, public transportation and new village development committee chairman.

Michelle said collection bins for the programme were also available at Sunway University, Monash University, Taylor’s University and Inti International College in Subang Jaya.

Meanwhile, Fong said footwear suitable to be turned into sports surface materials included sports shoes, school shoes, slippers and sandals.

Dow Chemical will be sponsoring 75 bins which will be deployed in stages in the Klang Valley and Johor, including at the local councils of Subang Jaya, Shah Alam, Klang, Pasir Gudang, Iskandar Puteri and Johor Baru.

— The Star

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Kitar semula kasut terpakai langkah wajar demi generasi akan datang https://ecoknights.org.my/kitar-semula-kasut-terpakai-langkah-wajar-demi-generasi-akan-datang/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kitar-semula-kasut-terpakai-langkah-wajar-demi-generasi-akan-datang https://ecoknights.org.my/kitar-semula-kasut-terpakai-langkah-wajar-demi-generasi-akan-datang/#respond Thu, 25 Aug 2022 14:09:00 +0000 https://ecoknights.org.my/?p=11269
EXCO Kerajaan Tempatan Ng Sze Han (tiga, kiri) disertai penduduk ketika merasmikan program ‘Old Soles New Life, Repurposes Your Old Shoes’ di Lake Edge Residence Puchong pada 13 Ogos 2022. Foto NG SZE HAN

SHAH ALAM, 14 OGOS: Kerajaan Negeri mengalu-alukan inisiatif mengumpul kasut terpakai atau rosak untuk dikitar semula yang disifatkan lebih lestari berbanding dibuang ke tapak pelupusan sampah.

EXCO Kerajaan Tempatan Ng Sze Han berkata usaha dilaksanakan sekumpulan kejiranan Lake Edge Residence Puchong mengumpul lebih 100 pasang kasut wajar dan berpatutan demi masa depan generasi akan datang.

“Kasut yang masih elok akan dibaiki dan diberi kepada golongan memerlukan manakala yang rosak dikitar semula serta dijadikan bahan di taman permainan kanak-kanak atau gelanggang sukan,” katanya ketika dihubungi.

Sze Han berkata beliau percaya ramai individu mahu melupuskan kasut lama mereka tetapi tidak tahu di mana ia perlu dibuang.

“Mereka tidak mahu buang dalam longgokan sampah domestik, ini menunjukkan masyarakat kita sedar langkah tersebut tidak betul dan lestari.

“Justeru, dengan kesedaran tersebut saya percaya ramai mencari kaedah betul untuk menghantar kasut mereka kepada pihak boleh melupuskan. Saya berharap usaha ini diteruskan di kawasan lain juga,” katanya.

Terdahulu, Sze Han merasmikan program ‘Old Soles New Life, Repurposes Your Old Shoes’ semalam di Lake Edge Residence Puchong yang turut dihadiri Ahli Dewan Negeri Subang Jaya Michelle Ng Mei Sze.

— SelangorKini

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Old shoes to be part of school playground’s new surface https://ecoknights.org.my/old-shoes-to-be-part-of-school-playgrounds-new-surface/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=old-shoes-to-be-part-of-school-playgrounds-new-surface https://ecoknights.org.my/old-shoes-to-be-part-of-school-playgrounds-new-surface/#respond Tue, 16 Aug 2022 09:57:07 +0000 https://ecoknights.org.my/?p=11256 FANCY a playground where the surface is covered with rubber repurposed from used shoes?

FANCY a playground where the surface is covered with rubber repurposed from used shoes?

This not only provides a smooth and safe play area, but is also an environmentally friendly move.

Non-governmental organisation EcoKnights together with materials science company Dow Chemicals Malaysia (Dow) and textile recycling company Life Line Clothing Malaysia (LLCM) are going one step further.

They have started a programme called “Old Shoes, New Life” where used shoes are being repurposed to upgrade a playground for SK Bukit Tadom in Banting, Selangor.

The two-month programme, launched on July 20, is the first shoe waste recycling initiative in Malaysia and SK Bukit Tadom has been selected to benefit from the first phase.

EcoKnights founder and president Yasmin Rashid said the goal was to see a significant behavioural shift among Malaysians in terms of material consumption, treated and discarded waste as well as repurposed materials.

Under the programme, LLCM has placed 17 bins throughout Klang Valley and Johor for the collection of old shoes.

EcoKnights programme director Fadly Bakhtiar said the number of bins would be increased later.

“We hope that the public will donate their old shoes and from that point, we can create an ecosystem by recycling shoe waste,” he said.

Around 4,000 shoes are needed for a 135sq m space of the SK Bukit Tadom playground, he added.

The old shoes, he explained, would be taken to a grinding facility in Singapore and turned into granules, after which Dow would provide a binding solution to produce the rubber surface.

Fadly said the grinding facility was currently only in Singapore.

“We hope to raise funds to have a similar facility in Malaysia as it is becoming expensive to have it done in Singapore due to transportation costs, among other things.”

Fadly added that they were currently in talks with local councils and property developers to provide the service of constructing sports and playground surfaces using repurposed shoes.

For details on the collection points, go to https://ecoknights.org.my/oldsolesnewlife/

—- The Star

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ECOKNIGHTS, DOW, LIFE LINE CLOTHING LAUNCH SHOE-RECYCLING CAMPAIGN https://ecoknights.org.my/ecoknights-dow-life-line-clothing-launch-shoe-recycling-campaign/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ecoknights-dow-life-line-clothing-launch-shoe-recycling-campaign https://ecoknights.org.my/ecoknights-dow-life-line-clothing-launch-shoe-recycling-campaign/#respond Thu, 21 Jul 2022 13:40:53 +0000 https://ecoknights.org.my/?p=11233 KUALA LUMPUR: Sustainability organisation EcoKnights, materials science company Dow and textile recycling company Life Line Clothing Malaysia, in their latest collaboration, have announced the launch of their shoe-recycling campaign – ‘Old Soles New Life’. 

In a joint statement today, they said the two-month campaign is the first phase of a project to achieve a permanent circular model of recycling shoe waste in the nation. 

“The public will be invited to recycle their used and unwanted shoes responsibly by dropping them into any of the shoe waste bins with distinct red lids and white bodies around Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur and Johor,” the statement said. 

The statement added that the soles of the collected shoes (rubberised parts) will be grounded into rubber granules and it would be used in infrastructure construction particularly on sports surfaces, to help reduce the current standard use of hazardous recycled tyres.

— BERNAMA

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First shoe waste recycling ecosystem in Malaysia https://ecoknights.org.my/first-shoe-waste-recycling-ecosystem-in-malaysia/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=first-shoe-waste-recycling-ecosystem-in-malaysia https://ecoknights.org.my/first-shoe-waste-recycling-ecosystem-in-malaysia/#respond Thu, 21 Jul 2022 13:35:17 +0000 https://ecoknights.org.my/?p=11230 KUALA LUMPUR: Ecoknights, Dow, and Life Line Clothing Malaysia are partnering to create the first shoe waste recycling ecosystem in Malaysia.

This two-month campaign, dubbed as Old Soles New Life, is the first phase of a project to achieve a permanent circular model of recycling shoe waste in Malaysia. 

The public will be invited to recycle their used and unwanted shoes responsibly by dropping them into any of the shoe waste bins with distinct red lids and white bodies around Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur and Johor. 

“This campaign will bring the concepts of recycling and sustainability accessible to everyone. ”

“It emphasises that anyone can do their part by simply dropping their used shoes in the allocated shoe bins to be recycled into sports infrastructures which can be used again,” said Paul Fong, Country Director for Dow Malaysia and Singapore. 

“In addition, environmentally-friendly technologies will be used in the builds which will be safer for people and the environment.”

Rubberised soles to be upcycled for infrastructure construction

The soles (rubberized parts) of public-collection shoes will be ground into rubber granule which will be used in infrastructure construction particularly sports surfaces. 

By doing so, it helps to reduce the current standard use of hazardous recycled tyres. 

The recycled shoe materials will be bound using Dow’s water-based and solvent-free binder technology in a playground built at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Tadom (A), Banting, Selangor, an indigenous school that was severely damaged by a flood in December 2021. 

When compared to traditional sports and playground surfaces, the result is both safer and more environmentally friendly.

Partnership to drive sustainability through public participation

Dr Yasmin Rasyid, Founder and President of EcoKnights, stated, “This partnership is a good example of public-private collaborations to drive sustainability through active public participation.

“We hope that this effort, among others, will open the path for demonstrating how waste can be reused for other purposes and, ultimately, how the circular economy works.”

“Our goal is seeing a significant behavioural shift among Malaysians in terms of how we consume materials, how we treat and discard waste, and, ultimately, how we reuse materials for a better or different purpose. 

“This is one way EcoKnights is driving the urgency of adopting a sustainable lifestyle to transition into a carbon-neutral nation.”


Mr Dale Warren, CEO of Life Line Clothing Malaysia, said in a statement on Wednesday “Our goal is to divert as many shoes away from landfills as possible and that can be achievable by working with members of the community and corporations who are aligned towards the same goal.”

The Malaysia Investment Development Authority estimates that the amount of solid waste generated in 2021 will be 38,427 tonnes per day, with 82.5 per cent disposed of in landfills.

Because shoes have a shorter life expectancy, landfills are seeing an increase in shoe waste. This could be the answer to addressing the limited space for landfills and reducing the environmental impact for a better Malaysia.

He continued, “This initiative could help play a major role in implementing shoe recycling in Malaysia and we are excited about the outcome of this collaboration. 

“We strive to develop and incorporate innovative technologies into our daily practice, and this tried-and-true concept is one we are eager to put into action.”

The Malaysia Investment Development Authority estimates that the amount of solid waste generated in 2021 will be 38,427 tonnes per day, with 82.5 per cent disposed of in landfills.

Source : https://borneoecho.com/2022/07/20/first-shoe-waste-recycling-ecosystem-in-malaysia/

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[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE] SHOE RECYCLING PILOT PROGRAM: BUILDING SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE AND REDUCING WASTE https://ecoknights.org.my/for-immediate-release-shoe-recycling-pilot-program-building-sports-infrastructure-and-reducing-waste/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=for-immediate-release-shoe-recycling-pilot-program-building-sports-infrastructure-and-reducing-waste https://ecoknights.org.my/for-immediate-release-shoe-recycling-pilot-program-building-sports-infrastructure-and-reducing-waste/#respond Wed, 20 Jul 2022 17:50:47 +0000 https://ecoknights.org.my/?p=11217 Kuala Lumpur, 20th July 2022 – Malaysia’s impact-driven sustainability organisation, EcoKnights announces the launch of Old Soles New Life, a shoe recycling campaign – partnering Dow, a leading global materials science company, and Life Line Clothing Malaysia, a prominent textile recycling company – to create the first shoe waste recycling ecosystem in Malaysia.

This two-month campaign is the first phase of a project to achieve a permanent circular model of recycling shoe waste in Malaysia. The public will be invited to recycle their used and unwanted shoes responsibly by dropping them into any of the shoe waste bins with distinct red lids and white bodies around Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur and Johor. 

“This campaign will bring the concepts of recycling and sustainability accessible to everyone. It emphasizes that anyone can do their part by simply dropping their used shoes in the allocated shoe bins to be recycled into sports infrastructures which can be used again,” said Paul Fong, Country Director for Dow Malaysia and Singapore. “In addition, environmentally-friendly technologies will be used in the builds which will be safer for people and the environment.”

The soles (rubberized parts) of public-collection shoes will be ground into rubber granules. These rubber granules will be used in infrastructure construction particularly sports surfaces, helping to reduce the current standard use of hazardous recycled tyres. The recycled shoe materials will be bound using Dow’s water-based and solvent-free binder technology in a playground built at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Tadom (A), Banting, Selangor, an indigenous school that was severely damaged by a flood in December 2021. When compared to traditional sports and playground surfaces, the result is both safer and more environmentally friendly.

Dr Yasmin Rasyid, Founder and President of EcoKnights, stated, “This partnership is a good example of public-private collaborations to drive sustainability through active public participation. We hope that this effort, among others, will open the path for demonstrating how waste can be reused for other purposes and, ultimately, how the circular economy works.” 

She added, “Our goal is seeing a significant behavioural shift among Malaysians in terms of how we consume materials, how we treat and discard waste, and, ultimately, how we reuse materials for a better or different purpose. This is one way EcoKnights is driving the urgency of adopting a sustainable lifestyle to transition into a carbon-neutral nation.” 

Mr Dale Warren, CEO of Life Line Clothing Malaysia, said in a statement on Wednesday “Our goal is to divert as many shoes away from landfills as possible and that can be achievable by working with members of the community and corporations who are aligned towards the same goal.”

He continued, “This initiative could help play a major role in implementing shoe recycling in Malaysia and we are excited about the outcome of this collaboration. We strive to develop and incorporate innovative technologies into our daily practice, and this tried-and-true concept is one we are eager to put into action.”

The Malaysia Investment Development Authority estimates that the amount of solid waste generated in 2021 will be 38,427 tonnes per day, with 82.5 per cent disposed of in landfills. Because shoes have a shorter life expectancy, landfills are seeing an increase in shoe waste. This could be the answer to addressing the limited space for landfills and reducing the environmental impact for a better Malaysia. 

Notes to Editor:

  • EcoKnights with their partners provided the first 30 shoe recycling points around Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur and Johor at the launch of the campaign. 
  • The shoes collected will be turned into a children’s playground at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Tadom (A), Banting, Selangor, an indigenous school catering to 100 indigenous students.
  • More information about the Old Soles New Life shoe recycling campaign  is available at https://ecoknights.org.my/oldsolesnewlife/ 

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ABOUT ECOKNIGHTS®

EcoKnights® is an impact-driven sustainability organisation that provides and delivers development and environmental interventions to communities, government agencies, learning institutions, and companies to mobilise and catalyse the stakeholders towards sustainable development across trans- and interdisciplinary fields to build bridges towards achieving sustainable communities and companies across four main pillars. Each pillar helps to strengthen the legacy of EcoKnights as it empowers the Knights to ideate, create, run and organise meaningful projects to impart long-lasting sustainable and economic impact to the country.

ABOUT  DOW

Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth; asset integration and scale; focused innovation and materials science expertise; leading business positions; and environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership to achieve profitable growth and deliver a sustainable future. The Company’s ambition is to become the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world. Dow’s portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated, science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Dow operates 104 manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 35,700 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $55 billion in 2021. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.

ABOUT LIFE LINE CLOTHING MALAYSIA (LLCM)

Life Line Clothing Malaysia (LLCM) was formed in 2013 with one goal in mind.. to reduce Malaysia’s fabric waste pollution and divert textiles away from landfills. LLCM collect used textiles and household good across Malaysia by working closely with the communities, corporations and local governments. LLCM also offer hundreds of textile drop-off locations and frequently holds collection drives throughout the country by working hand-in-hand with several institutions including schools, places of worship and universities but also developing strong relations with small and large companies. To help local charities finance their admirable causes, LLCM also collaborates with them to generate significant revenue by providing the infrastructure and logistics for the collections.

Old Soles, New Life

Old Soles New Life is a shoe recycling program initiated by EcoKnights, Dow and LLCM to introduce Malaysia’s inaugural shoe waste ecosystem. 

More details about this campaign are retrievable at this link: https://ecoknights.org.my/oldsolesnewlife/ 


*For media inquiries, you may contact: 

EcoKnights:
Shahirah Anuar
Mobile: +60 115634 2344

Email: shahirah@ecoknights.org.my

Dow:
Kow Sin Yee
Mobile: +65 9815 9557

Email: kow@dow.com 

Life Line Clothing Malaysia: 

Andrew Jackson
Mobile: +60 18666 2004
Email: andrew@upcycle4better.com 

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