IT started with a curious glance into a rubbish bag outside a laundry shop in Bangi, Selangor, in 2019.
Dr Richard Ng, who was working in the town at the time, noticed piles of discarded detergent packets and wondered if they could be put to better use.
He took the packets home, cleaned them and learnt how to weave them into useful items – an experiment that eventually inspired him to teach others the craft.
Today, the Ipoh City Watch (ICW) president also turns discarded rice bags and other plastic packaging into colourful handmade souvenirs such as bags, vases, pen stands and tissue holders.
“I would approach restaurants, offering to exchange rice bags for garbage bags.
“If they gave me 200 rice bags, I would give them 20 garbage bags in return to dispose of their waste,” he said when met at the ICW office in the Perak capital.
“I would then wash and dry the materials before cutting them into strips for weaving,” he added.
Ng gleaned tips to turn the materials into usable items from videos posted on YouTube.
“My aim is to reduce plastic pollution while teaching single mothers how to make and sell these items,” he said, adding that he had conducted numerous community workshops.
“A small souvenir requires about five rice bags, while a larger one may use up to 30.
“It takes me about three to four hours to complete an item now; the process took much longer when I first started.”
Although he took a two-year hiatus from weaving, Ng recently resumed production with a new line of eco-friendly items.
“I am now making appreciation plaques using these recycled materials.
“They feature colourful weaving, giving each commemorative item a distinct look.”
Ng believes there is a market for these handmade items, particularly among tourists looking for sustainable souvenirs.
He said some of his creations had been displayed during low-carbon and car-free day events.
Ng said he was trying to scale the initiative into a structured community project.
“I plan to start with residents at the Kinta Heights flats, teaching them the craft and exploring opportunities for them to earn money from their creations.
“I also plan to engage with hotels to explore the possibility of bringing visitors to observe the weaving process and participate in workshops.
“I hope that people will see discarded packaging differently – not as rubbish, but as a resource waiting to be transformed,” he said.
Those interested in learning the craft or purchasing recycled souvenirs can reach Ng via WhatsApp at 013-533 0989 or e-mail richng8888@gmail.com
