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

Since 2018, DECATHLON has been committed alongside the World Clean Up Day association with the desire to educate everyone to practice their sport in a more responsible way. Last year, DECATHLON brought together 27,000 people in 40 countries to clean up more than 77 tonnes of litter.

This waste collection day has now become an unmissable event with family and friends. And this year, for the very first time in Malaysia, Decathlon has managed to unite more than 200 sports lovers around this cause, to collect waste in two different locations around Kuala Lumpur. The two groups gathered at a river logboom in PPR Sri Terengganu, Sentul, and at a roadside public park in Seksyen 17, Petaling Jaya.

The result of this environmental action spoke for itself. A total of 710.3kg of waste has been collected and sent to the relevant public authority, with 35.4% of it being recyclable.

Decathlon then hosted an event at their Petaling Jaya store, during which the local NGO Zero Waste Malaysia managed to raise awareness on the waste situation, but also educated sports users on the importance of preserving the spaces in which they practice sports. As a reminder, an average Malaysian generates about 1.2 kg of trash daily.

Adrian Lafage, Sustainability Leader at Decathlon Malaysia shared his thoughts on the importance of such actions: “It is important for us to take this kind of sustainable drive as a starting point, to set an example and show our beloved sportspeople how to adapt their daily habits and be more conscious about their waste consumption. On a corporate level in Malaysia, we have launched our workshop and second-life initiatives to extend the life of our products, and therefore promote a better circular economy. Thankfully, this event was a success thanks to our involved sports lovers community, who is extremely engaged in protecting our playgrounds”.

Arnaud Sauret, CEO of Decathlon Malaysia also added: “Here in Malaysia, the natural landscapes provide us a considerable amount of opportunities to practice sport, especially thanks to places such as the tropical rainforest, mangrove areas and untouched coral reefs. It is our duty to remain self-aware of our impact, and try to act responsibly when it comes to protecting it.”

This awareness campaign has also been successful thanks to the partnership with the local NGO EcoKnights, who was the officially appointed partner of Decathlon.

EcoKnights is a non-governmental environmental organization established in 2005. The organization focuses on working with key stakeholders to drive and empower sustainable actions for a better planet. Sustainable community development is the core of all EcoKnights’ efforts and this is delivered through policy advocacy, on-ground and hands-on community efforts, corporate partnerships, youth volunteerism and strategic engagements and fundraising.

Programme Director of EcoKnights, Fadly Bakhtiar also shared: “Partnerships such as today (between Decathlon, EcoKnights, Local Councils and the general public) are crucial for capacity building in developing countries. What we do today will be passed down to future generations. In the spirit of World Clean Up Day and as responsible citizens, each individual must do their part to set a good example for everyone to participate in volunteerism and activism to contribute to Malaysia’s sustainability.”

Decathlon is the world’s largest sports retailer with the mission of sustainably making the pleasure and benefits of sport accessible to the many. Founded in 1976 – Decathlon fuels the passion for sports with over 1,700 stores in some 70 countries. On the 15th of October 2022, Decathlon Malaysia will open its 10th store in Cyberjaya in DPulze Mall. The team of accomplished sportswomen and men want to offer the best offer of sports products and services to all. On top of offering more than innovating 5,000 sports products on 60 sports, Decathlon Malaysia is also a wellness center supporting all sports lovers before, during and after their practice through sports events & classes, healthy food restaurant, physiotherapy services, advice & recommendation from experts… Join MY Decathlon Club now!

Decathlon Malaysia Media contact
nawel.hamzaouiduchemin@decathlon.com

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

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

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

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

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/ 

-End-

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 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BY JUNE 25 2021

ECOKNIGHTS JOINS BULLMART TO HIGHLIGHT ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND BRING BENEFITS TO MALAYSIA

A campaign and long-term collaboration to increase donations and to build brand awareness across industries.

EcoKnights is joining hands with Bullmart to create a more sustainable community and is calling everyone to take action in being a part of the Sustainable Practices Movement.

EcoKnights is a youth-led non-governmental environmental organization focusing on driving actions for a better planet and aims to empower everyone to live sustainably. This collaboration with Bullmart will allow EcoKnights to reach a wider audience and empower more Malaysians to live sustainably while giving them better rewards.

Bullmart, a Social Commerce Sharing Platform+ that focuses on bringing mutual benefits to everyone through simplifying entrepreneurship offers rewards for all its users – both buyers and sellers. The platform allows users the opportunity to earn a passive income through lifetime referral rewards. Bullmart looks to solidify its contribution towards environmental conservation and sustainability through this collaboration with EcoKnights. Additionally, the partnership will help to increase Bullmart’s brand awareness and further grow its user database.

Fadly Bakhtiar, Programme Director of EcoKnights stated that this partnership allows EcoKnights to run more sustainability-driven programs to communities through the donation drive by Bullmart. 

“This campaign signifies a great commitment for EcoKnights to reach out to more people and empower them to live sustainably. We are thrilled to be working with Bullmart as we not only get to connect with more people about sustainable living, but also encourage a conversation about social entrepreneurship, e-commerce and sustainable business practices with Bullmart,” added Fadly. 

The long-term collaboration will begin with an Eco Campaign running from 25th June to 30th June on the Bullmart Platform and on both EcoKnights (@ecoknights) and Bullmart’s (@bullmart_my) Instagram accounts. Throughout the duration of the campaign, Bullmart will donate RM5 to EcoKnights for every transaction using the code “ECO15” for FREE shipping with a minimum purchase of RM15. Furthermore, EcoKnights is entitled to earn unlimited lifetime rewards through referral bonuses and group bonuses. EcoKnights will also be working with influencers Aloneinoasis, Muntazar Gufran, and TV host Diana Rusdi in hosting three IG-live shows as follows:

25/6 3:00pm-3:30pm on An Ocean of Plastic

26/6 2:00pm-2:30pm on Composting 101: Tips & Tricks on Composting from Home

28/6 3:00pm-3:30pm on Garden of Wild Flowers
30/6 3:00pm-3:30pm on Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Plant Parent?

All live shows are open to the public and can be directly accessed through EcoKnights Instagram and will be featured on Bullmart’s account. Tune into the live shows and make purchases during the campaign to stand a chance to win exciting giveaways and prizes!
Download the Bullmart App and create an account using the following link https://bullmart.com/buyer/signup?referral=EcoKnights or use “EcoKnights” as the referral code to help EcoKnights’ fundraising efforts while earning a passive income for yourself!

Media Kit link: bit.ly/ek-aseancares-2020-mediakit

17 December, Kuala Lumpur – The passionate group of young people from the environmental NGO, EcoKnights, have travelled back to Kuala Lumpur from their recent trip to Pasir Gudang, Johor after meeting with 300 indigenous Seletar community, aiding them with food supplies and hygiene kits. 

Through the implementation of ASEAN CARES, which is made possible by 3M as the main funder of the program, with the support of the United Way Worldwide and the ASEAN Foundation, EcoKnights has since helped over 1,000 at-risk individuals and communities in Malaysia who were deeply affected by the pandemic. 

“It’s important that 3M holds true to its core values during this pandemic by supporting our communities and improving lives. The projects with United Way form part of a $20 million commitment made by 3M at a corporate level to support COVID-19 relief projects globally, and we’re grateful that some of this funding is helping the most vulnerable people in society impacted by the COVID-19 crisis in Malaysia during these exceptional times,” said Mr. GT. Lim, Country Leader of 3M Malaysia.  

The event in Kuala Lumpur (KL) marked the fourth checkpoint of item distribution after visits to Selangor, Johor, and Sabah by the appointed civil society organization, EcoKnights. The KL event was graced by the presence of Dr. Yang Mee Eng, Executive Director of ASEAN Foundation, Fadly Bakhtiar, Programme Director of EcoKnights, representatives from the Women for Refugees, as well as the EcoKnights team and fellow volunteers. 

In retrospect of the hardship that Malaysians went through during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EcoKnights team was driven to provide fundamental essentials geared towards the specific needs of the KL beneficiaries, including infant care for mothers who are in need of diapers and wet wipes.

“ASEAN CARES embodies the commitment voiced by ASEAN Leaders during the Special ASEAN Summit on COVID-19 and the Special ASEAN Plus Three Summit on COVID-19, which calls for a coherent, multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder and whole-of-ASEAN community approach in combating the pandemic. We seek to engage all parties, from multinational society to local communities, to work together in delivering large-scale COVID-19 relief aid to those that are marginalised and in desperate need. Through this initiative, we hope that private and public sectors will join hands together to do our part to reduce the suffering of the people due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.” Executive Director of ASEAN Foundation, Dr. Yang Mee Eng said.

Women for Refugee is the outreach partner of EcoKnights for the ASEAN CARES programme – KL edition, and is an NGO that aids refugee women and communities in Malaysia. Their mission is to equip these groups with literacy and technical skills to build refugee communities that are resilient and have access to education as their basic human rights. 

“We are adamant about creating a new narrative around community service: it’s important to honour the people and communities we serve. At WFR, our women are not our charity cases, they’re our stakeholders. They have bought into us just as much as we buy into them – dignity remains at the center of what we do,” expressed Davina Devarajan, co-founder of Women for Refugees.

Close to 160 daily supplies and hygiene kits were distributed to approximately 200 beneficiaries from the Kuala Lumpur region which comprised of refugees, migrants, and the urban poor. Held at an open garage space in Selayang Baru, the beneficiaries also underwent an educational workshop that highlighted health and safety measures on how to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 virus, through a 30-45 minute demonstration by the EcoKnights team, specifically on the proper hand-washing method and the importance of wearing face masks. 

“We give emphasis on the health and safety measures for ASEAN CARES. This is evident from the educational Training for Trainers workshop, in which EcoKnights conduct a live demonstration on hand-washing steps and the importance of wearing a face mask as hygienic care needs to be given the utmost priority among Malaysians, especially during a global pandemic. We hope that today’s group of beneficiaries are empowered and able to persevere through this difficult time… We also hope that through our digital campaign, the public will become more conscious about the plight of the underrepresented communities and be encouraged to take action that can lessen the burden shouldered by these groups”, expressed Fadly Bakhtiar, Programme Director of EcoKnights.

Recently, on the 12th of December, EcoKnights also managed to fulfil the aid distribution in Sabah, through its outreach partner, Future Alam Borneo. Over 1,000 individuals benefited from this distribution including 170 families that comprised of communities from Kg. Mangkalinau and Kg. Forest in Sandakan, and Kg. Bahagian and Kampung Bogaya Baru in Batu Sapi. 

Future Alam Borneo is a not-for-profit society that focuses on environmental awareness and sustainability among communities. Through ASEAN CARES, the communities from Sandakan and Batu Sapi, Sabah not only received proper food supply and hygiene kits, but they were also given educational materials and safety tips on how to prevent COVID-19 from spreading further through the EcoKnights’ Training of Trainers program. 

ASEAN CARES aims to provide access to food and basic hygiene for vulnerable individuals and groups within Malaysia such as families with children, people with disabilities, women-headed households, elderlies, refugees, migrants as well as pregnant and lactating women. The final distribution location by EcoKnights for the ASEAN CARES programme will be in Banting, Selangor. 

Notes to Editor:

1. EcoKnights distributed 300 food supply and hygiene kits to 300 indigenous Temuan individuals at Bukit Lanjan, Selangor (First Phase) on 18 and 21 November respectively. 
2. Another 300 kits were distributed to 300 indigenous Seletar individuals in Pasir Gudang, Johor (Second Phase) on 6 December, reaching out to 4 Seletar villages in total.
3. A total of 300 kits were distributed within the Sabah region (Third Phase), further benefiting approximately 1,000 individuals in total. 
4. Another 158 supply sets were distributed to refugees, migrants, and the urban poor (B40) of Kuala Lumpur (Fourth Phase), benefitting close to 200 individuals of these groups. 
5. The final distribution (Fifth Phase) will be held in Banting, Selangor to benefit underrepresented groups of refugees, migrants and the urban poor within the Selangor area (tentative date is 22^nd December 2020).
6. More information about Project BUMI: Meet the Needs humanitarian aid under ASEAN CARES is retrievable at this link: https://ecoknights.org.my/asean-cares/

-End-

About EcoKnights®

EcoKnights® is a not-for-profit environmental 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 five 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 a long-lasting sustainable and economic impact on the country. More information about EcoKnights is available on its official website at ecoknights.org.my

About 3M

At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily. With $32 billion in sales, our 96,000 employees connect with customers all around the world.

About United Way

United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. Supported by 2.9 million volunteers, 8.1 million donors worldwide and $4.8 billion raised, United Way is the world’s largest privately funded non-profit. We’re engaged in nearly 1,800 communities across more than 40 countries and territories worldwide to create sustainable solutions to the challenges facing our communities. United Way partners include global, national and local businesses, non-profits, government, civic and faith-based organizations, along with educators, labour leaders, health providers, senior citizens, students and more. 

About the ASEAN Foundation

Three decades after ASEAN was established, ASEAN leaders recognised that: there remained inadequate shared prosperity, ASEAN awareness and contact among the people of ASEAN. It was of this concern that ASEAN leaders established ASEAN Foundation in Jakarta, Indonesia, at ASEAN’s 30th Anniversary Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 15 December 1997. The ASEAN Foundation is an organisation from and for the people of ASEAN. The Foundation exists because of one vision: to build a cohesive and prosperous ASEAN Community. As an ASEAN body, the Foundation is tasked to support ASEAN mainly in promoting awareness, identity, interaction and development of the people of ASEAN.

About Project BUMI: Meet the Needs

Project BUMI is EcoKnights’ sustainability-driven project that aims to uplift underprivileged communities from poverty and empower them towards sustainable living. The goal is to ensure basic necessities are made available to all communities throughout the country. This includes a continuous supply of electricity, clean water and an internet connection, alongside access to basic healthcare and education for the communities.

______________________________________________________________________________

*For media inquiries, you may contact Ms. Fara at fara@ecoknights.org.my or 011-2321 0492

Media Kit link: bit.ly/ek-aseancares-2020-mediakit 

6 December 2020, Pasir Gudang, Johor – A group of young volunteers and dedicated members from the environmental NGO, EcoKnights continue their COVID-19 relief mission to benefit another 300 indigenous people from the Seletar community as part of the ASEAN CARES program. This noble humanitarian work is made possible by 3M as the main funder of the program, with the support of the United Way Worldwide and the ASEAN Foundation. 

As humanitarian needs soar high during the COVID-19 pandemic, ASEAN CARES aims to provide access to food and basic hygiene for vulnerable individuals and groups within Malaysia such as families with children, people with disabilities, women-headed households, elderlies, refugees, migrants as well as pregnant and lactating women.

“It’s important that 3M holds true to its core values during this pandemic by supporting our communities and improving lives. The projects with United Way form part of a $20 million commitment made by 3M at a corporate level to support COVID-19 relief projects globally, and we’re grateful that some of this funding is helping the most vulnerable people in society impacted by the COVID-19 crisis in Malaysia during these exceptional times,” said Mr. GT. Lim, Country Leader of 3M Malaysia.   

As Malaysia is hit by the second wave of the pandemic, EcoKnights, as one of the appointed civil society organisations from Malaysia, has now distributed a total of 600 supply kits to indigenous people in Selangor (Temuan) and Johor (Seletar) regions. They are further targeting to widen the scope next to the Sabah, Pahang and Kuala Lumpur regions.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has hurt a lot of people, especially the underprivileged communities like the Seletars. Assisting them in fulfilling their basic needs can ensure that they’ll be able to at least continue a decent life just like the rest of us. This is what sustainability is all about,” expressed Amlir Ayat, Vice President of EcoKnights. 

The event distribution saw the presence of Amlir Ayat, joined by Mohd Yazid Bin Beram from the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) Malaysia, head of representatives of the Seletar community as the beneficiary, as well as EcoKnights’ volunteers and organizing committee.

The Seletar community’s main source of livelihood depends on marine and coastal biodiversity as 80% of the villagers work as fishermen, and they are also commonly known as Orang Laut (Sea People). 

“Even before the COVID-19 transpired, the community has faced environmental ramifications from urban development and polluted waters – further risking their source of livelihood. Now that the state is under the mandate of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), the situation may be detrimental at an even greater extent,” added Amlir who has been actively engaged with the Seletar community in the past.  

From today’s distribution at Balairaya Kg. Orang Asli Kuala Masai, five villages among the Seletar community benefited from the program which is Kg. Telok Jawa, Kg Kuala Masai, Kg Pasir Puteh, Kg Telok Kabong, and Kampung Orang Asli Pasir Salam. 

“ASEAN CARES embodies the commitment voiced by ASEAN Leaders during the Special ASEAN Summit on COVID-19 and the Special ASEAN Plus Three Summit on COVID-19, which calls for a coherent, multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder and whole-of-ASEAN Community approach in combating the pandemic. We seek to engage all parties, from multinational society to local communities, to work together in delivering a large-scale COVID-19 relief aid to those with desperate needs and to marginalised groups through this programme. Through this initiative, we hope that private and public sectors will join hands to do our part in reducing the suffering of the people due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Executive Director of ASEAN Foundation, Dr. Yang Mee Eng said.

In addition to the provision of fundamental care of food and hygiene kits, the community underwent training sessions (known as Training of Trainers) with EcoKnights on the safety and health measures of COVID-19 prevention. This included an interactive demonstration of the 20-second rule of hand-washing as well as the mandatory decree of properly wearing face masks to prevent the spread of the disease. 

Notes to Editor:

1. EcoKnights had distributed 300 food supply and hygiene kits to the Desa Temuan community at Bukit Lanjan, Selangor (First Phase) on 18 and 21 November respectively. 
2. This 300 item distribution at Pasir Gudang completes the Second Phase covering the Johor region.
3. The next distribution will be tentatively targeting the area of Pahang, Sabah, and Kuala Lumpur.
4. More information about Project BUMI: Meet the Needs humanitarian aid under ASEAN CARES is retrievable at this link: https://ecoknights.org.my/asean-cares/

-End-

About EcoKnights®

EcoKnights® is a not-for-profit environmental 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 five 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.

More information about EcoKnights is available on its official website at ecoknights.org.my

About 3M

At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily. With $32 billion in sales, our 96,000 employees connect with customers all around the world.

About United Way

United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. Supported by 2.9 million volunteers, 8.1 million donors worldwide and $4.8 billion raised, United Way is the world’s largest privately funded non-profit. We’re engaged in nearly 1,800 communities across more than 40 countries and territories worldwide to create sustainable solutions to the challenges facing our communities. United Way partners include global, national and local businesses, non-profits, government, civic and faith-based organizations, along with educators, labour leaders, health providers, senior citizens, students and more. 

About the ASEAN Foundation

Three decades after ASEAN was established, ASEAN leaders recognised that: there remained inadequate shared prosperity, ASEAN awareness and contact among the people of ASEAN. It was of this concern that ASEAN leaders established ASEAN Foundation in Jakarta, Indonesia, at ASEAN’s 30th Anniversary Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 15 December 1997. The ASEAN Foundation is an organisation from and for the people of ASEAN. The Foundation exists because of one vision: to build a cohesive and prosperous ASEAN Community. As an ASEAN body, the Foundation is tasked to support ASEAN mainly in promoting awareness, identity, interaction and development of the people of ASEAN.

About Project BUMI: Meet the Needs

Project BUMI is EcoKnights’ sustainability-driven project that aims to uplift underprivileged communities from poverty and empower them towards sustainable living. The goal is to ensure basic necessities are made available to all communities throughout the country. This includes a continuous supply of electricity, clean water and internet connection, alongside access to basic healthcare and education for the communities.

___________________________________________________________________________

*For media inquiries, you may contact Ms. Fara at fara@ecoknights.org.my or 011-2321 0492