Promoting awareness: Coca-Cola Malaysia public affairs, communications and sustainability senior manager Wan Ahmad Syazwan Mohamed gave a talk to the university students on the circular economy of plastic packaging. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star
RANKED as one of the most widespread pollutants on the planet, plastic waste is more than just a blemish on the landscape – it poses significant dangers to ecosystems and the wellbeing of communities.
With millions of tonnes discarded annually, the growing plastic pollution crisis threatens wildlife, contaminates waterways, increases greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to long-term environmental degradation.Responding to this global challenge, Malaysia has stepped up its commitment to sustainable waste management through various initiatives, such as the mandatory extended producer responsibility project, to foster a more circular economy and reduce negative environmental impact.
Championing youth in sustainability
Building on this national momentum, Star Media Group Bhd’s (SMG) Star Next-Gen Eco Innovators programme calls on university students to join in and help shape solutions to manage plastic waste and abate plastic pollution.
The event kicked off last week at Sunway University, while the second leg of the programme took place yesterday at UCSI University in Kuala Lumpur, where 51 students participated.
UCSI University Trust head Shannen Choi said programmes like this are crucial as they provide university students with the platform to make their ideas a reality. “It’s important for university students, who are future leaders, to take charge of their futures – especially in protecting the environment,” said Choi, who is also an adviser to the student-led Youth Beyond Boundaries fraternity.“Innovation doesn’t amount to much if there’s no platform to facilitate it. That’s why programmes like this are so valuable as they connect students with industry practitioners and allow them to try out their ideas and build confidence along the way.
Coca-Cola Malaysia public affairs, communications and sustainability senior manager Wan Ahmad Syazwan Mohamed (second row; centre) with UCSI University students at the Star Next-Gen Eco Innovators programme workshop held at UCSI University in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star
“I hope this programme inspires them with new ideas on how they can contribute to making the world a better place, empowering them to become the change agents of the future.”
The programme will also be held at Taylor’s University and Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation.
As a key sponsor, Coca-Cola Malaysia has pledged its support to the Star Next-Gen Eco Innovators programme in finding solutions to complex plastic waste challenges.
Star Next-Gen Eco Innovators
Themed “Transforming Plastic Waste into Sustainable Solutions”, the Star Next-Gen Eco Innovators programme tasks undergraduates with addressing pressing environmental issues and business challenges related to plastic waste.
The university students are encouraged to turn the tide on plastic pollution through collective innovative thinking by developing implementable and sustainable solutions for plastic waste. This will cultivate their creative potential and empower them to become future “eco-innovators”.
The initiative will engage students through a one-and-a-half-day educational workshop that focuses on the circular economy of PET packaging and plastic waste.
Facilitators and trainers guide participants to employ lateral thinking techniques like the Scamper model (Substitute, Combine, Adjust, Modify, Put to other uses, Eliminate, Reverse) to challenge traditional ideas and encourage solutions, aiming to redefine value chains in sustainable ways.
UCSI University BSc (Hons) Food Science with Nutrition student Rachel Tan said the programme can serve as a platform for like- minded individuals to collaborate and develop innovative solutions for future generations.
“I joined this programme to learn more about current business practices towards sustainability so that I can understand what efforts are being made and what challenges are holding businesses back,” said the 21-year-old.
“Understanding these concepts is crucial in recognising how plastic waste impacts the environment and what we can do to address it.”Another UCSI University undergraduate, Oh Khang Chiang, who is pursuing a BSc (Hons) Biotechnology, said the programme would not just educate the university students on sustainable practices, but also enable them to apply these concepts in their everyday lives.
“A lot of workshops or events provide you with knowledge but it ends there (at the learning phase), so you don’t have the opportunity to apply it,” Oh said.
“Star Next-Gen Eco Innovators gives us the chance to showcase our ideas and skills, after obtaining the information we need. This allows us to apply the knowledge gained to do something different and create a positive change.”
The university students will be put into groups of five and tasked to develop actionable proposals for effective plastic waste management. The top two groups from each university will move on to the inter-university finale on Nov 29, where they will compete with their winning proposals.At the finale, the business proposal prototype submissions will be evaluated based on various criteria including theme, creativity, originality and feasibility.
The judges will also assess each proposal’s relevance and potential impact, ensuring that the solutions address business challenges and contribute to a more sustainable future.
The programme’s broader aim is to inspire a ripple effect across local communities. By engaging students in these real-world issues, SMG and Coca-Cola Malaysia hope to not only elevate awareness but also foster practical advocacy.
