Upcycling To Turn Waste Into Treasure
8 August 2017- Penang – Wallets, cardholders and baskets are just a few useful products that can be made from used recycled packaging. The list should grow even longer with the public’s increasing commitment to ‘upcycling’ as a means to reproduce new handy items using recyclable materials.
As part of their dedication toward generating awareness on the importance of reducing waste to conserve the environment, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (F&NHB), the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Tetra Pak Malaysia recently organised two upcycling workshops in Penang to encourage the public to transform used packaging into new useful materials.
On August 2, 2017, 29 teachers from 19 schools that have won and participated in the “Kempen Kitar Semula F&N & MBPP” over the past six years were invited to take part in an upcycling workshop, held at Komtar. The workshop was conducted as a way of showing F&NHB, MBPP and Tetra Pak’s appreciation to the schools for their support in the recycling campaign throughout the years. During the workshop, the teachers were taught to make everyday items such as wallets, card holders and baskets from recycled drink carton materials.
Meanwhile, 36 representatives from the Penang Muslim Tamil Association (PERJUANITA), Penang Cheshire Home, D. Home Mental Association, Caring Home Centre (Persatuan Mencegah Mangsa Dera Pulau Pinang), Association of Disabled Persons and Senior Citizens, Community Organisation of the People’s Housing Project (PPR) in Jalan Sungai and Penang Federal Special Education Secondary School participated in an upcycling workshop organised by F&NHB, MBPP Department of Community Service and Tetra Pak on August 3, 2017. Held at the Penang Youth Centre, the upcycling workshop aimed to teach the participants creative ways of creating new usable products of good quality and aesthetics from recycled drink cartons.
Cariessa Goh, Corporate Affairs Manager of F&NHB said the Company is constantly reaching out to community members and encouraging them to take ownership of the environment for them to understand how their actions can affect their lives, communities and the future of the planet.
“Upcycling is an innovative way of looking at things differently by seeing the beauty and potential in waste such as paper, plastic, metal and glass. We usually discard old and unwanted items from our homes without realising that with a little bit of imagination, we can convert them into beautiful and usable products. During the workshops, the participants were thrilled with their newly-made objects such as attractive baskets that can be filled with biscuits and cakes or even sold as gift baskets. They were enthusiastic about learning how to make new things from unused recycled products and sharing their new skills and knowledge with others,” said Goh.
“F&N has always been a strong advocate of sustainable ways of living and upcycling is a simple and easy form of conserving our natural resources and reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and our natural surroundings. It is also an excellent way for people to hone their creativity and find value in everything around them while doing their bit for Mother Nature. Hopefully, our effort will inspire society to care for our planet, explore the untapped possibilities of upcycling and create a sustainable future for everyone,” Goh added.
The latest initiatives by F&N complement its annual “Kempen Kitar Semula F&N & MBPP” that is currently running until August 31, 2017, to educate and instil a recycling culture among school students through fun and creative ways.