ESG

Malaysia’s push toward sustainable plastics is guided by the Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics 2018–2030, a national initiative aimed at tightening control over plastic materials and environmental claims. Supporting this direction, the Malaysian Green...

The global plastic waste crisis is no longer just an environmental issue—it is increasingly a carbon problem. Every stage of the plastic lifecycle, from production to disposal, contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. While efforts to reduce plastic usage continue,...

Penang is set to reinforce its standing as Malaysia’s leading green state. By September 2026, plastic bags will no longer be used in public spaces, and drink straws must be made from soluble materials. State Executive Councillor Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo stressed that...

Across the region, green startups are emerging as powerful agents of change, tackling marine plastic pollution, food insecurity, waste mismanagement, and carbon market transparency. Behind the rising investment figures and policy announcements are founders building...

Admin: We’re excited to have Desmond from REKAFFEE with us today to share more about how coffee waste is being transformed into sustainable, circular solutions for the future. Admin: Desmond, what inspired you to pioneer this initiative? Desmond: The idea came from...

The US packaging industry is entering a period of structural change. Rising environmental awareness, evolving consumer expectations, and tightening regulations are reshaping how packaging is designed, produced, and disposed of. Within this transition, compostable...

Perak’s decision to move towards a full ban on single-use plastic bags from January 1, 2026 is more than an environmental gesture. It is a quiet acknowledgement that price signals alone — especially weak ones — do not drive behavioural change, and that regulatory...

For many organisations today, sustainability is no longer optional. Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations have become a basic requirement for doing business, not just a reputational add-on. Across industries, companies are investing heavily in ESG...

July 2025, Indonesia is stepping up efforts to address its plastic waste crisis by promoting the development and use of biodegradable plastics through biotransformation technology. According to Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, this technology uses living...

Across Asia, the fight against plastic pollution is entering a more decisive phase. Since 2020, governments have moved beyond awareness campaigns and recycling slogans, introducing concrete regulations that directly affect how packaging is produced, used, and priced....

California is taking a major step to fight plastic pollution. Starting in 2026, all single-use plastic bags will be banned, and stores that ignore the law could be fined up to $5,000 per day. What’s Changing in NapaNapa County will ban plastic carryout bags in...

Sirim Bhd is targeting to certify around 2,000 Malaysian companies with environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-related certification by the end of this year, as part of efforts to prepare local industries for increasingly stringent global market expectations....

In July 2025, Malaysia’s Federal Government has officially banned plastic waste imports from 16 countries, including the United States. This move, which encompasses recycled plastics commonly used in cosmetics and personal care packaging, disrupts a key supply chain...

November 2025, England has officially passed a new law banning the sale and supply of wet wipes containing plastic, marking a major step in the fight against plastic pollution in rivers and seas. The legislation, driven by widespread public support and mounting...

Ditch Wax-Coated Papers in the Kitchen: Why They Aren’t as Safe as You Think Many households rely on wax paper and parchment paper for cooking and food preparation, believing they are harmless conveniences. However, a closer look reveals that these coated papers may...

In a decisive step toward environmental reform, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law that bans all plastic shopping bags at grocery stores starting in 2026 — effectively ending the long-standing “paper or plastic” question at checkout counters. The...

In February, in a move that reopens one of America’s most symbolic environmental debates, U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to end the federal government’s transition away from plastic straws — effectively reversing the policy initiated by...

Vietnam’s manufacturing sector is entering a decisive phase. Sustainability is no longer a voluntary initiative but a core requirement for global competitiveness. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards have become the new passport for manufacturers...

The debate over plastic waste in the UK has taken a sharp turn as the Waste and Resources Action Program (WRAP), a leading environmental NGO closely aligned with the Labour Party, calls for a government ban on plastic packaging for 21 common fruits and vegetables....

Selangor is stepping up its fight against plastic waste. Starting next year 2026, the state government will enforce a ban on the use of plastic bags for three days a week—Friday through Sunday—across all business premises. State Executive Councillor for Public Health...

Malaysia is taking a tougher stance on plastic waste. Beginning July 1, 2025, the country will prohibit imports of plastic scrap unless they are officially approved under new government regulations. The move aligns Malaysia with the Basel Convention and its 2019...

The Philippines, long ranked among the world’s top sources of ocean plastic, is taking bold action to clean up its act—starting with its biggest polluters. In 2023, the country rolled out Southeast Asia’s first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law, requiring...

In 2024, it was reported that Singapore's recycling rate has slipped from 62% in 2013 to just 52% in 2023—falling short of the 70% target outlined in the nation’s Zero Waste Masterplan. The usual suspect? Overflowing blue bins filled with food-contaminated...

Malaysia’s Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, has issued a stark warning: too many corporate and government-led “green” initiatives are little more than greenwashing—superficial efforts that lack genuine impact. In a...