(Standing; fifth from left) SMG's chief business officer Lydia Wang, chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt and chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng, alongside Coca-Cola Malaysia public affairs, communications and sustainability senior manager Wan Ahmad Syazwan Mohamed, Coca-Cola communications senior manager for Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia Fauziah Syafarina Nasution and Malaysia Plastics Recyclers Association (MPRA) chief delegate and Precious Plastics Malaysia director Yoong Yi with Teams M.eco, FS² and PlastX at the Star Next-Gen Eco Innovators programme inter-university finale at Menara Star, Petaling Jaya on Nov 29.
WHAT if the next breakthrough in solving plastic waste didn't come from seasoned professionals but from university students brimming with creativity and determination?
From classrooms to boardrooms, a group of young, passionate minds embarked on a transformative journey to tackle one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time – plastic waste.
Star Media Group Bhd’s (SMG) Star Next-Gen Eco Innovators programme provided the platform for these aspiring changemakers to turn their innovative ideas into tangible business solutions that address real-world challenges related to plastic waste.
Breaking from tradition, the programme embraced a digital approach for student presentations, with participants showcasing their innovative solutions in SMG’s virtual green screen studio, Studio Maya. This cutting-edge method streamlined the process and highlighted the programme’s commitment to leveraging technology for impactful engagement.
As a sponsor, Coca-Cola Malaysia pledged its support to the programme in finding solutions to complex plastic waste challenges.
The programme culminated last week with an engaging inter-university finale at Menara Star, Petaling Jaya, on Nov 29, which involved 10 teams of university students from Sunway University, Taylor’s University, UCSI University, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation and UNITAR International University.
Team M.eco from Sunway University emerged as champions with their innovative solution called MecoBin, while Team FS² and Team PlastX from UCSI University finished in the first and second-runner up spots with their solutions PEGnology and Mobile Truck for 3D-Printed Recycled Goods.
Team M.eco presenting their innovative solution to the panel of judges during the inter-university finale.
Closing the recycling gap
The Star Next-Gen Eco Innovators programme proved that impactful solutions for sustainability can stem from the fresh ideas of university students.
Team M.eco – comprising Harith Ikmal Zainudin, Jeanette Tan En Jie, Ch’Ng Sue Wei, Penny Chua Si Yun and Tan Kai Ling – began their journey with a shared vision to empower B40 communities with a solution for easy recycling.
Through brainstorming sessions and countless meetings, they developed MecoBin, an electronic recycling bin integrated with a point-based reward system to incentivise recycling behaviours while easing financial burdens on underprivileged households.
“Our recycling bin for the B40 community aims to promote sustainability and accessibility. By integrating reward systems and running awareness campaigns, we hope to create a lasting impact and make recycling a sustainable habit in local communities,” said the team.
The university students’ journey didn’t stop at ideation, as they worked tirelessly to refine the logistics of their project.
“Once the plastic bottles are deposited into the MecoBin, they are sent for recycling and reprocessed into recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) bottles. This circular process not only reduces production costs but also promotes sustainable resource management by reusing materials,” said Team M.eco.
An accompanying app enhances the system by allowing individuals to earn points for every bottle recycled. These points can be redeemed for daily necessities, creating tangible benefits for B40 households.
“Our solution contributes to the social responsibility of businesses by offering a platform that directly supports B40 communities while fostering environmental sustainability. It also allows B40 individuals to earn essential household items at no additional expense,” they said.
Reflecting on their journey to becoming winners of the programme, Team M.eco emphasised the importance of collaboration in bringing their solution to life.
“Teamwork is definitely the most important factor, along with proper communication techniques. Although we all come from different backgrounds, M.eco brought us together to share the same goal of contributing to local communities while advocating for sustainability.”
Team FS² putting on a lively presentation for the judges using SMG’s green screen studio, Studio Maya.
Redefining recycling with biodegradable innovation
Team FS² brought a scientific lens to the competition, proposing an inventive alternative to conventional plastic bottle labels.
Comprising Forensic Science and Food Science with Nutrition students, Lee Kit Yee, Lynna Lum Lum, Chai Jia Yan, Anjeanette Tiffney, Kew Jun Yi and Yee Jo Ann, the team’s solution – PEGnology – enables an entire plastic bottle to be recycled seamlessly, eliminating barriers caused by non-recyclable plastic labels.
By converting non-recyclable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into polyethylene glycol (PEG), PEGnology replaces traditional flax labels with PEG-based labels, allowing for the production of 100% recyclable plastic bottles.
“We wanted to contribute to Coca-Cola's sustainability efforts by designing a recyclable label to complement the bottle's recyclability,” the team explained.
They added that they were also able to leverage knowledge and skills gained during their studies.
“Since we are a group of students from an Applied Sciences background, our solution focused on applying what we learnt in our Microbiology, Organic Chemistry and Polymer Chemistry classes.
“It is amazing that we can finally apply what we have learnt to real-world applications.
“By replacing traditional labels with our PEG-based labels, we address both environmental and economic challenges, offering businesses a transformative approach to reduce plastic waste by utilising PEG-based labels as a sustainable replacement for traditional non-recyclable flax labels.”
The team also looked back on the challenges they faced during the development process, such as refining the chemical composition of the labels to ensure scalability.
“This experience taught us the value of discipline and teamwork, and how sustainability in business is not just about minimising waste – it’s about innovating processes and materials to create value in a way that benefits both businesses and the planet,” said Team FS².
Team PlastX members Chin Wen Yen, Rhenu Chandran, Gan Mu You and Oh Khang Chiang.
Repurposing plastic waste with mobile technology
With a vision to combine sustainability and technology, Team PlastX introduced the concept of a mobile 3D printing truck.
This innovative vehicle collects PET plastic bottles and processes them into PET filaments which can be transformed into 3D-printed products, demonstrating a hands-on approach to plastic waste management.
Team PlastX members, Chin Wen Yen, Zainab Alkabbani, Gan Mu You, Rhenu Chandran and Oh Khang Chiang, shared that their solution not only encourages recycling and reusing plastic bottles but also increases community awareness and involvement with their roving truck.
“Our mobile 3D-printing truck promotes a circular economy by closing the loop and reducing dependency on virgin plastic materials in manufacturing and production processes.
“By collecting and processing plastic waste locally, the truck lifts the burden off the community waste management systems and can reduce plastic litter in public spaces,” said the team.
Looking ahead, the team has plans to bring their concept to life by building a PET filamentor prototype and testing its functionality.
“If we are successful, this would be a good way to repurpose plastic waste and create opportunities for students to engage with 3D printing technology and its applications,” they said.
With creativity and determination, these university students are proving that innovative and sustainable solutions for the future can come from anyone, regardless of age or experience.
To register interest and stay informed about future opportunities with the Star Next-Gen Eco Innovators programme, click here.
