Zero Waste Malaysia launches 2-Week Green Wira Showcase at 1Utama in conjunction with Plastic Free July 2024 to celebrate the success of zero waste school projects
SELANGOR (05/07/2024) – A recent publication highlighted Malaysia ranked highest for consumption of microplastics among 109 countries1. This shocking ranking is a timely reminder that more needs to be done to reduce waste and that we have to take immediate climate action for our health, the health of our planet, and the safety of our next generation. In conjunction with Plastic Free July 2024, Zero Waste Malaysia is organising a 2-week long physical exhibition at 1 Utama – The Green Wira Showcase. The Showcase is a 20 feet by 15 feet interactive display that gives the public a chance to understand why this programme exists, the gaps in our education system and the zero waste school projects that have been completed under the Green Wira Programme.
Over the past 12 Months, Zero Waste Malaysia has been running its pilot Green Wira Programme (GWP). GWP is an education programme that has empowered 50 educators from 30 schools in the Klang Valley through structured online modules, expert-led webinars, a physical boot camp, and customised coaching, potentially impacting over 33,000 students. From July 15th to 28th, that impact will be showcased through an interactive exhibition at Level 2, 1 Utama Shopping Mall – in front of the mall entrance to PJPac.
With support from the Axiata Foundation and Amazon Web Services (AWS), and endorsement from the Ministry of Education (KPM), GWP is thrilled to share its impact with the wider public. This exhibition combines themes of education and zero waste, hoping to raise awareness of the environmental gaps in the Malaysian education system and how the GWP addresses them. The exhibition will highlight the Top 2 teachers from this pilot programme and their contributions to building their zero waste schools with seed funding from the programme. Puan Khuzaimah Zaaim from SK Telok Panglima Garang and Puan Rosmira Ramlee from SMK Taman Melawati each received RM15,000 to run a Materials Recovery Facility (waste sorting centre) and Energy Efficiency Integrations at their respective schools.
The 2-week exhibition located on the second floor of 1 Utama embraces the idea of zero waste through sourcing of materials: renting, crowdsourcing via freecycling communities, and minimising the need for single-use disposables. The exhibition will also give passersby a chance to contribute to the programme by interacting with opinion boards, being some of the first to learn about the future of this programme, taking insta-worthy photos at the gamified photo wall, and standing a chance to win exciting prizes by participating in a social media campaign!
With lots to see and learn, the Green Wira Showcase is an invitation for all ages to drop by and learn about environmental education within school systems.
For more information, media representatives may contact media@zerowastemalaysia.org. For official marketing materials & photos from ZWM’s previous work, including photos from the GWP programme, please click here (album descriptions are available).
1New Straits Times (2024)
ABOUT ZERO WASTE MALAYSIA
Established in 2016, Zero Waste Malaysia (“ZWM”) is a non-profit organisation and community group based in Malaysia advocating for sustainable development and aiming to increase the local community’s awareness of sustainable living. Learn more about the cause at https://zerowastemalaysia.org.
ABOUT AXIATA FOUNDATION
As part of its mission, Axiata Foundation focuses on developing and nurturing young generations with critical skills to develop them into future digital leaders, under its Education Pillar. In addition, Axiata Foundation provides sustainable solutions to elevate quality of life for underserved and marginalised communities through its Community Investments pillar and aims to build a healthier planet through collaboration advocacy and innovation under its Environment Pillar. For more information about Axiata Foundation, visit: www.axiata-foundation.com
ABOUT AMAZON WEB SERVICESAmazon Web Services (AWS) is committed to making a positive difference around the world. To benefit our communities in regions where we build and operate our global infrastructure, we established a program called AWS InCommunities. AWS InCommunities launches long-term, innovative programs that will have a lasting impact in our regions around the world where we work, live, and raise our families. For more, please visit: https://aws.amazon.com/about-aws/global-infrastructure/aws-incommunities/