Etika Sdn Bhd, one of Malaysia’s leading beverage and dairy companies, is taking a bold step towards sustainability with the launch of the Semporna Waste Management Program, in collaboration with Reef Check Malaysia (RCM) and supported by the Malaysian Recycling Alliance (MAREA).
This pilot initiative, set in Kg. Sri Aman, Semporna, aims to establish a fully functional, community-led waste management system, addressing one of Sabah’s most pressing environmental issues — plastic pollution and poor waste management affecting both local communities and marine life.
Tackling a Local Problem with Long-Term Vision
For years, Semporna has faced challenges in managing household waste, with improper disposal practices threatening not just land environments but also coral reefs and marine ecosystems.
Recognising this, Etika’s programme focuses on creating a sustainable and replicable waste management model that other coastal communities can adopt.
Through this initiative, Etika provides end-to-end support, including:
- Conducting waste audits and data collection,
- Establishing proper waste segregation and collection infrastructure,
- Training residents on recycling and waste reduction, and
- Building continuous engagement within the community to ensure long-term adoption.
A Vision Rooted in Collaboration
According to Santharuban Thurai Sundram, Chief Executive Officer of Etika Group of Companies, the initiative represents more than just corporate social responsibility — it’s about creating real, community-driven change.
“Through this collaboration, we aim to support an effective and practical solution to a real community challenge. Sustainability must include the people most affected, and this project allows us to work directly with local stakeholders to create meaningful, long-term impact,”.
Etika’s collaboration with Reef Check Malaysia, an NGO known for its marine conservation work, and MAREA, an alliance dedicated to improving recycling in Malaysia, ensures that this initiative is backed by both scientific expertise and logistical support.
Government Support for a Cleaner Sabah
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah (KePKAS) has praised the programme as a milestone for sustainable development in the state.
“Beyond addressing waste management challenges, this initiative helps preserve the natural beauty and biodiversity that make Sabah a world-renowned destination.
By equipping the community with the skills and infrastructure to manage their environment responsibly, we’re protecting our marine ecosystems while empowering residents to take ownership of their surroundings.”
This effort aligns with Sabah’s eco-tourism goals, reinforcing the state’s reputation as a global leader in conservation and sustainable tourism.
Community Empowerment Through Action
At the heart of this project is community empowerment. By 2028, all 99 households in Kg. Sri Aman are expected to have proper waste bins, with at least 90% of them practicing waste segregation.
The project also aims to divert more than 10,000 kilograms of waste from the environment over the next three years. Villagers will play an active role
in this transformation — some will be employed as waste collectors and coordinators, while recyclable materials will be sold to aggregators, with profits reinvested into local recycling and community initiatives.
A Blueprint for Nationwide Change
Adzmin Fatta, Programme Manager at Reef Check Malaysia, highlighted the importance of the initiative as a pilot model for Malaysia’s waste management framework:
“The Kg. Sri Aman project highlights the importance of structured, community-based implementation. By piloting a practical system at the local level, it provides a model that can inform government strategies and guide future programmes in other communities facing similar challenges.”
Beyond environmental improvements, this project also supports Malaysia’s broader circular economy and sustainability goals, ensuring that waste is not just managed but transformed into a resource for community benefit.
Building Partnerships That Matter
To ensure long-term impact, Etika and its partners are engaging with key government stakeholders, including the Semporna District Council (MDS), District Office, and KePKAS, aligning the initiative with regional development plans.
This collaboration ensures scalability — meaning that once proven successful, this model can be implemented in other coastal and rural communities across Sabah and beyond.
Towards a Cleaner, Greener Malaysia
Etika’s Semporna Waste Management Program is more than just an environmental project — it’s a social movement built on cooperation, awareness, and responsibility.
By working hand-in-hand with local communities, NGOs, and government bodies, Etika is setting a powerful example of how the private sector can play a leading role in sustainability — not through short-term CSR, but through long-term transformation.
As Malaysia continues its journey towards becoming a greener nation, initiatives like this stand as proof that meaningful change begins at the community level — and with the right partnerships, it can ripple across an entire country.
Keywords:
- Etika Malaysia,
- Reef Check Malaysia,
- Semporna Waste Management,
- community-based sustainability,
- Sabah eco initiatives,
- waste segregation Malaysia,
- MAREA,
- marine conservation Malaysia,
- Etika sustainability program,
- community empowerment Malaysia
