A Nationwide Effort for a Cleaner Malaysia

On June 29, 2025, before the sun had fully risen, more than 8,400 participants across Malaysia gathered at 52 locations for the “Kuala Lumpur Tzu Chi Environmental 30 Plogging Event "Go Green, Go Plogging" campaign with the theme "30 Years of Environmentalism, Walking Together Towards Sustainability."” In just two hours, they collected 3,937 kilograms of trash and recycled 3,646 kilograms of materials, demonstrating a powerful commitment to environmental protection.

This large-scale initiative, organized by the Tzu Chi Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Branch, brought together people from all walks of life—families, students, corporate teams, and government representatives. The event was not just about picking up litter; it was a lesson in environmental responsibility and a call for collective action to protect the planet.

Building on Three Decades of Environmental Advocacy

The mission of environmental mission protection of the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Branch began in 1995 with a handful of volunteers. Over the past thirty years, their efforts have grown into a nationwide movement, reaching deep into communities and crossing ethnic boundaries. The focus has expanded from recycling to include education on reducing plastic use and fostering a mindset of environmental stewardship.

In line with World Environment Month’s theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution,” the event aimed to raise awareness about the urgent need to end plastic waste. Volunteers invited government officials, business leaders, educators, NGOs, and families to join forces, making this the largest environmental action in the branch’s 30 years history.

Collaboration Across Sectors

The event’s success was rooted in collaboration. Local governments and city councils not only approved venues but also sent representatives and provided logistical support. YB Elizabeth Wong Pua Pei Ling (潘佩玲), State Assembly Member for Bukit Lanjan Member of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Bukit Lanjan, highlighted the importance of integrating environmental practices into daily life, not just during special events. She encouraged everyone to make recycling and waste sorting a habit, noting that “when we pick up and sort trash, we are injecting love and warmth into our communities.”

Businesses also played a significant role. Public Bank’s regional manager, Cheng Chuan Siew (蕭增川), led around 500 staff members in the plogging activity, emphasizing that environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) is a core value for the company. “The Earth belongs to all of us. By starting within our company and encouraging employees to participate, we can turn small efforts into meaningful change,” he said.

Tan Sri Vincent Tan (陳志遠), founder of Berjaya Group and a Tzu Chi volunteer, invited corporate leaders and staff to join, urging religious groups, NGOs, and businesses to take part in such activities. He pointed out that these efforts can address areas that city councils may not fully cover and foster a sense of responsibility among the public.

Tan Sri Wee- Chai Lim Lim (林偉才), founder of Top Glove, also led his team in the event. Employee Puteri Nadhirah shared that Top Glove regularly organizes environmental activities and that joining this event added a sense of humanistic care to their corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. She believes that environmental education should start young and suggested government incentives to encourage recycling.

Media outlets, including radio station 988, helped spread the word, amplifying the event’s impact and inspiring broader participation.

Environmental Action as Disaster Prevention

Improper waste disposal has contributed to flooding in many parts of Malaysia, as trash clogs drainage systems. Yongping Liu (劉永萍), who joined the event with her son, shared a personal story about a colleague who lost their life during a flood rescue. “Some problems, like policies, are beyond our control. But we can start with ourselves,” she said. By involving her child in the event, she hopes to instill a sense of responsibility for not littering and protecting the environment.

Youth Perspectives and Lasting Change

Young people also played a key role. Renfeng Chen (陳仁豐), a student from SEGi University, participated in plogging for the first time and was surprised by the amount of hidden trash in the city. “Usually, when driving, the streets look clean, but there’s actually a lot of trash in places we overlook,” he said. The experience gave him a new perspective on environmental issues and reinforced the idea that everyone has a role to play.

He observed that while many young people use eco-friendly products, they often overlook the importance of reducing waste at the source. Chen advocates for more engaging activities like plogging to make environmental protection fun and accessible for the younger generation.

A Collective Step Forward

As each act of kindness grows from a single gesture to a collective movement; the face of the nation can truly change for the better. The plogging event was a milestone for the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Branch. Unlike disaster relief efforts, that this proactive initiative took place during peaceful times; aiming to prevent problems before they arise. Every participant—whether a parent and child, a long-time community volunteer, or a first-time corporate team—contributed to a cleaner, greener Malaysia.

Written by Li-Xin LiLay Sim Lee (李麗心), Xin-Yan JiangSiew Yen Kong (江欣燕), Zhi-Jie Li (李智傑), Hooi Ching LewHui-Jing Liu (柳慧晶)

Source: 雪隆環保30 彎腰的當下撿起了良知