{"id":11333,"date":"2022-10-27T09:00:19","date_gmt":"2022-10-27T01:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecoknights.org.my\/?p=11333"},"modified":"2023-09-12T00:28:28","modified_gmt":"2023-09-11T16:28:28","slug":"elementor-11333","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecoknights.org.my\/first-playground-surface-built-using-recycled-shoes-unveiled-in-malaysia\/","title":{"rendered":"[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE] First playground surface built using recycled shoes unveiled in Malaysia"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The success of this playground will pave the way for more eco-friendly and sustainable sports infrastructure built in the future.<\/p>\n

Kuala Lumpur, October 26 2022<\/strong> – EcoKnights, an environmental sustainability organization along with partners \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

The Old Soles New Life <\/b>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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019 Dr. Hishammuddin Zaizi, following his statement on the positive results of these partnerships between NGOs and stakeholders. \u201cThe 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.\u201d He mentioned<\/p>\n

\u201cDow 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,\u201d said Paul Fong, Country Director for Dow Malaysia and Singapore. \u201cAs one of the key campaign partners for Old Soles New Life<\/em>, we are excited to see that the wheel of the circular economy has started rotating through this built.\u201d He added<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

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.”<\/p>\n

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\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Notes to Editor:<\/p>\n