Nestlé deepens coastal conservation drive
KUALA LUMPUR: Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd has strengthened its beach clean-up programme by bringing together employee volunteers, communities and partners nationwide to drive lasting impact through activities ranging from ghost nets and marine debris recovery to coral reef protection and environmental education.
Nestlé (Malaysia) Bhd has bolstered its beach clean-up initiative by uniting employee volunteers, local communities, and partners to achieve lasting environmental outcomes. This year, the program placed a stronger focus on educating and engaging communities in safeguarding their surroundings. Activities at Pantai Kelanang, Selangor, included environmental restoration alongside sustainability communication, education, and public awareness sessions for the Orang Asli residents of Teluk Tongkah and Permatang Buah Kelanang, offering practical advice on waste segregation, recycling, and proper disposal.
Nestlé Malaysia's CEO, Juan Aranols, emphasized that Malaysia's coastlines and marine ecosystems are vital natural resources that support livelihoods, food security, and biodiversity. To ensure their protection, sustained action, education, and a shared commitment to eco-friendly stewardship are essential. Speaking of his own experiences, Aranols noted firsthand the beauty and fragility of the marine environment, from removing crown-of-thorns starfish that endanger coral reefs to gathering ghost nets abandoned by fishing activities.
Beyond Pantai Kelanang, the 2026 program extended to communities in Kedah, Kelantan, Johor, Sabah, and Pahang. Collaborating with the Fisheries Department and Reef Check Malaysia, Nestlé Malaysia joined forces to eradicate crown-of-thorns starfish in Pulau Tioman, contributing to coral reef conservation. Overall, nearly 400 volunteers collected 1,259.51 kg of waste in 2024, bringing the cumulative waste collected since 2019 to roughly 18 tonnes.
Mohd Faisal Abdur Rani, co-founder and programme director of Impact Revolution Enterprise, highlighted that the coastal and underwater clean-up effort has transformed from a waste removal initiative into a broader platform for environmental awareness and community participation. At locations where clean-ups have been consistently held, collected waste amounts have decreased in recent years.
Although various factors like tides, seasons, and visitor activity may influence waste accumulation, this indicates a positive trend in awareness and responsible waste disposal habits. Faisal stressed the significance of ongoing engagement, education, and stronger community responsibility for preserving coastal environments.
The initiative is an integral part of Nestlé's Sayang Komuniti volunteer program, allowing employees to directly participate in community and environmental projects. By collaborating closely with local communities, NGOs, and public sector stakeholders, Nestlé Malaysia continues to generate shared value for both people and the planet.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
