Winning smiles: (First row; fourth from left) Coca-Cola communications senior manager for Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia Fauziah Syafarina Nasution, Coca-Cola Malaysia public affairs, communications and sustainability senior manager Wan Ahmad Syazwan Mohamed, SMG chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt, SMG chief business officer Lydia Wang, SMG chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng, SMG Brand Studio senior general manager Elicia Wee and SMG client brand marketing general manager Sara Chacko with the university student finalists at the Star Next-Gen Eco Innovators programme inter-university finale at Menara Star in Petaling Jaya yesterday. — Photos by YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
PLASTIC has added much value to our lives.
It’s a cheap, versatile and durable material used in countless applications that have made it indispensable across various industries, ranging from electronics and construction to medical supplies, textiles and food packaging.
However, this double-edged sword of convenience comes at a hidden cost.
Plastic bottles are among the largest contributors to environmental pollution, as they are often improperly discarded.
But, one innovative idea from a group of university students could help turn these bottles into a tool for social empowerment.
Meet Team M.eco, from Sunway University, whose groundbreaking solution – MecoBin – earned them the grand prize of RM10,000 at Star Media Group Bhd’s (SMG) Star Next-Gen Eco Innovators programme inter-university finale, held yesterday at Menara Star in Petaling Jaya.
The group emerged as champion from a total of 10 teams which competed at the inter-university finale.
The MecoBin is an electronic plastic bottle collection bin designed specifically for B40 communities.
This simple yet effective solution allows individuals to use the bin to accumulate points for every bottle recycled, which will be credited to their accounts via an accompanying app.
The university students made use of SMG’s green screen studio, Studio Maya, to present their innovative solutions to the judges during the Star Next-Gen Eco Innovators programme inter-university finale.
These points can then be redeemed for daily household necessities, easing the burden of low-income families.
The team also aim to collaborate with companies to provide discounts or free items for the gift redemption system, ensuring a steady flow of support.
“We are extremely happy and grateful to have been given this opportunity to explore our ideas to tackle plastic waste.
“Winning this competition has made all our hard work, tireless research and countless meetings worth it,” said the team. “Beyond the programme, we hope to continue working on our idea and look for partners or sponsors to expand our MecoBin to the next level.”
Team M.eco also offered some words of advice for future participants of the programme.
“Start simple and don’t think ‘too big’. Sometimes the simplest of ideas can be turned into something world-changing. It’s not about winning, but doing something that can help others.”Beyond the winning team, other creative ideas also stood out, earning accolades for their ingenuity.
In the first runner-up spot was Team FS² from UCSI University, who presented their innovative solution PEGnology, a method for converting non-recyclable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into polyethylene glycol (PEG).
Their solution, which earned them an RM7,000 prize, replaces traditional flax labels with PEG-based labels, enabling the production of 100% fully recyclable plastic bottles.
The second runner-up, Team PlastX from UCSI University, took home RM3,000 for their solution which uses a mobile recycling truck that repurposes plastic bottles into PET filaments for 3D printing.
Their concept focuses on decentralised recycling and turning plastic waste into practical, sustainable goods.
Other finalists also received a certificate for their involvement in the programme.
Students even had the chance to experience what it was like to be interviewed by SMG’s very own StarTV.
Empowering a new generation of innovators
The Star Next-Gen Eco Innovators programme was launched in September to empower university students to redefine how we approach real-world plastic waste challenges.
Embracing the theme “Transforming Plastic Waste into Sustainable Solutions”, the programme challenged them to develop sustainable solutions centred around a circular economy approach through collective innovative thinking, presented as actionable business proposals.
The aim is to mitigate plastic pollution and enhance plastic waste management with creative, future-oriented approaches. The programme was held across five universities in Klang Valley, namely Sunway University, UCSI University, Taylor’s University, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation and UNITAR International University.
As a sponsor, Coca-Cola Malaysia has pledged its support to the Star Next-Gen Eco Innovators programme in finding solutions to complex plastic waste challenges.
Encouraging innovation and sustainability
SMG chief business officer and Star Next-Gen Eco Innovators programme head judge Lydia Wang said it seeks to cultivate the next generation of sustainable champions, providing them with the skills and tools to become leaders in driving positive environmental change, equipping them to tackle pressing global challenges beyond plastic waste.
“At SMG, we are deeply committed to championing sustainability as one of our core values.
“This programme aligns perfectly with our mission to raise awareness, foster education and inspire action on environmental issues,” said Wang.
“The university students exhibited a deep understanding of very complex sustainability challenges.
“Through the programme, they were introduced to concepts like circular economy, empowering them to design commercially viable solutions.
“By addressing climate anxiety and the pervasive issue of plastic waste, we encourage them to internalise these challenges and develop holistic, forward-thinking solutions.
“These critical skills will position them to effect sustainable change in the future.”
A panel of esteemed judges and industry experts evaluated the innovative solutions based on various criteria such as relevance, implementation, creativity, originality, feasibility and potential impact.
Led by Wang, the judges were Coca-Cola Malaysia public affairs, communications and sustainability senior manager Wan Ahmad Syazwan Mohamed and Malaysia Plastics Recyclers Association (MPRA) chief delegate and Precious Plastics Malaysia director Yoong Yi.
Meanwhile, Yoong Yi noted the importance of fostering such innovative thinking among young minds.
“I work in the plastic recycling industry, and this is not something we can easily learn in schools or from the public,” he said.
“It’s a topic that not many people touch on, yet it’s vital to educate the next generation because they are living with plastics every day.
“This programme is a great way to engage them in plastic recycling, as it helps them to understand more about plastics, plastic waste, how to recycle or upcycle them and the role they can play in creating a sustainable future.”
