CIMB Foundation Launches the Zero Waste Initiative to Address Waste Management and Promote Sustainable Development

14 July 2018

The initiative is part of the Foundation’s flagship Community Link programme that encourages CIMB employees to champion the needs of their local communities.

Kuala Lumpur: CIMB Foundation today launched the Zero Waste & Urban Farm Community Model at Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Tun Dr. Ismail (SKTTDI) 1, aimed at encouraging minimal food waste and cultivating green consumption within the surrounding community. The model which is championed by CIMB Group Commercial Banking staff in collaboration with AXILE Consulting Sdn. Bhd., was officiated by Dato’ Hamidah Naziadin, CEO of CIMB Foundation, alongside Effendy Shahul Hamid, CEO of CIMB Group Commercial Banking, Ahmad Shazli Kamarulzaman, Deputy CEO of CIMB Group Commercial Banking, Puan Ramnah Darus, Headmistress of SKTTDI (1), and Azlan Yaacob, Managing Director of AXILE Consulting Sdn. Bhd.  

Through this model, SKTTDI (1) will be able to treat their food waste and convert them into compost using the composting machine. The machine that can convert food waste into 15 liter compost within 24 hours will be permanently stationed at the school as a way to inculcate minimal wastage and sustainable consumption habits within the community. On the other hand, the compost could also encourage the development of more green spaces within the area.

Dato’ Hamidah Naziadin said, “Food waste management has always been one of the government’s areas of concern. Malaysians waste 15,000 tonnes of food per day – in which 8,000 tonnes is avoidable food waste, with 3,000 tonnes of food going to landfills that are still good to consume, based on a report from the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp). Hence it is truly encouraging to see CIMB’s own employees taking the initiative to address food waste and ultimately paving the way for communities to practice a minimal waste and greener lifestyle. The Foundation hope spread this initiative in other communities in Malaysia if this produces encouraging results from the community.”

The initiative had initially undergone a trial period at Taman Tun Dr. Ismail (TTDI) for the past two months where the composting machine was stationed at Masjid At-Taqwa and the police station. A total of 15 kilograms of compost was produced throughout the trial period where residents were free to take and utilize the compost for their own use. In the next few months, CIMB Foundation will install 5 composting machines permanently around TTDI while volunteers from CIMB and AXILE Consulting Sdn. Bhd. will carry out training sessions on how to garden, farm and use the composting machine.

This year, CIMB Foundation’s sustainability efforts also include the construction of micro hydro in Long Resingan, Sarawak, empowering 30 families with lifetime electricity and water supply, as well as providing 120 portable solar panels to 120 families in Bentong, Pahang and Lawas, Sarawak.