PROJECT SAVE (segregate, avoid, value and educate) is on track to reaching 300,000 households nationwide by the end of 2026.
Spearheaded by Nestlé Malaysia, it further strengthened community-led recycling in Kedah via Karnival Kitar at SMK Taman Selasih in Kulim.
The event brought together residents, schools, the local authorities, partners and community leaders through an educational roadshow, interactive booths and activities to drive awareness and recognise community contributions.
Introduced in 2020, Project SAVE is Nestlé Malaysia’s flagship voluntary recycling programme and the country’s largest extended producer responsibility (EPR) initiative.
It supports household separation-at-source through weekly door-to-door collection of dry mixed recyclables in collaboration with local councils, waste management concessionaires and private recyclers.
Now scaled nationwide, the programme has reached approximately 260,000 households across nine cities.
In 2025, it diverted an estimated 15,000 tonnes of solid waste, including 10,000 tonnes of plastics, from landfills and oceans.
Through Project SAVE and broader sustainability efforts, Nestlé Malaysia remains committed to driving collaborative solutions that empower communities and accelerate progress towards a more sustainable future.
Project SAVE expanded to Kulim, Kedah, in 2025 through a pilot programme with SWCorp, E-Idaman Sdn Bhd (EISB) and ESH Resource Management Sdn Bhd.
Since its launch, the programme has collected approximately 100,000kg of recyclables, including around 28,000kg of plastics, through its dedicated weekly door-to-door collection programme.
Nestlé Malaysia chief executive officer Juan Aranols said the progress showed that effective recycling started with strong partnerships and consistent systems on the ground.
“But systems alone are not enough; real change starts at home.
“We encourage all Malaysians to separate waste at home and make recycling part of daily life because when small actions become habits, they can drive meaningful nationwide impact,” said Aranols.
During the Kulim event, there was an exchange of a memorandum of understanding between Nestlé Malaysia and SWCorp, witnessed by guest-of-honour Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, the Tunku Temenggong of Kedah.
SWCorp chief executive officer Khalid Mohamed said, “Our collaboration with Nestlé Malaysia in Kulim underscores the importance of a well-structured collection system in enabling effective community recycling.
“Strong coordination among operational partners, local authorities and residents is critical to ensuring efficiency and sustaining participation.
“SWCorp remains committed to encouraging greater household involvement, which is essential to strengthening Malaysia’s recycling ecosystem and driving long-term impact,” he said.
