SHAH ALAM: Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd has partnered with KDEB Waste Management Sdn Bhd (KDEBWM) to enhance its efforts in addressing plastic waste through sustainable solutions. Both parties signed a collaboration agreement to launch SELKitar programme, the latest phase of Nestle Malaysia's door-to-door collection and recycling programme under project SAVE, the largest voluntary extended producer responsibility (EPR) initiative in Malaysia.
Currently reaching over 200,000 households, to date, the project has diverted more than 33,000 tonnes of waste including over 20,000 tonnes of plastic, from landfills and oceans. Programme SELKitar will scale up these ongoing efforts to engage another 17,000 households in landed communities in Majlis Bandaraya Subang Jaya (MBSJ) and Majlis Perbandaran Sepang beginning May 2025. Discussions for a second phase of expansion including strata residences and suburban villages are already in progress.
The agreement signing ceremony was officiated by Selangor State executive councillor (EXCO) for Public Health and Environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin and attended by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Amirudin said such initiative shapes the environmental consciousness in the state.
"The implementation of Act 672 in Selangor signals our commitment to uniform, sustainable waste practices and this partnership reflects our belief that progress can only be achieved through joint, sustained effort," he said.
Nestle Malaysia chief executive officer Juan Aranols said the programme is a tangible demonstration of the company's commitment to addressing plastic waste and promoting the circular use of resources.
"With the continued expansion of our door-to-door collection and recycling programme, we move closer to our vision of a Malaysia free of plastic waste, where post-consumer packaging is sustainably managed through effective collection systems.
"This partnership with KDEBWM reinforces Nestle's global pledge to achieve plastic neutrality by 2025, ensuring that none of our packaging ends up in landfills or oceans," he added.
KDEBWM, as the waste management arm of Menteri Besar Inc, brings operational expertise that complements Nestlé Malaysia's experience in voluntary EPR initiatives.
The SELKitar Programme implements tailored collection strategies for both "open areas" and "gated and guarded" communities, promoting operational efficiency and educating residents on waste segregation.
Recyclables are collected separately from regular domestic waste and transported to a material recovery collection facility in Bukit Puchong for sorting and reprocessing, supporting a circular economy.
Residents will also receive communication, education and public awareness materials that promote a single-stream approach, allowing all recyclables to be placed in one container for collection, simplifying participation for households.
Project SAVE, Nestle Malaysia's largest voluntary EPR initiative, collaborates with local municipal councils, including in Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam, Klang and Pulau Pinang.