Revive! Campaign: Corporate Comm final year students drive paper waste awareness

Bachelor of Corporate Communication (Honours) final year students initiated a vibrant campaign named “Revive!”, with the goal of promoting the recycling of festive red packets (Angpow) and their transformation into innovative decorations or new products. The opening ceremony of the campaign took place at UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 4 April 2024.

From left: Aivy Cheong, Prof Dato’ Ewe, collaborators, sponsors and UTAR staff during the ribbon-cutting ceremony

Present at the opening ceremony were UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI) Dean Dr David Tneh Cheng Eng, FCI Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Ts Dr Ang Kok Yew, FCI Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Dr Cynthia Lau Pui-Shan, FCI Deputy Dean for Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes Assoc Prof Thinavan Periyayya, FCI Head of Department of Mass Communication Mr Kenneth Lee Tze Wui, Revive! Chairperson Aivy Cheong Ka Way, collaborators, sponsors, UTAR staff and students.

Opening remarks by Prof Dato’ Ewe

Prof Dato’ Ewe said in his speech, “I am incredibly proud of our students for taking the initiative to organise such a meaningful event that benefits our society and the environment. Their commitment to making a positive impact speaks volumes about their character and their understanding of their role as responsible citizens and future leaders.”

He added, “In today’s world, sustainability is not just an option; it’s a necessity. Our focus on paper waste management is a step towards building a more sustainable future for our cities and communities. By fostering a sense of environmental responsibility and community involvement, we hope to encourage everyone to explore artistic and creative ways to reuse or recycle, thus reducing paper waste.”

Aivy Cheong

Aivy Cheong, in her welcome address, said, “Over the past 4.5 months, we have explored various waste management methods that are not only achievable by university students but also impactful for our community. We have learned that while many are aware of recycling paper and newspapers, few realize that festive packets can also be recycled. One of the key aspects of our initiative is to educate the community on the proper management of used festive packets. These packets, though seemingly simple, contain ink that cannot be recycled like normal papers.”

She concluded, “Through “Revive!”, we aim to serve as an eye-opener for the community, showcasing the potential of these packets in creating something new and useful. It is not just about recycling; it is about reimagining the possibilities and promoting sustainable efforts.”

Artworks from recycled materials

Aivy Cheong leading the guests through the exhibition

The event included an exhibition, featuring paper artworks crafted from recycled materials. Collaborating with first-year Architecture students, the “Revive!” team exhibited movie-themed artworks fashioned from paper. These artworks, conceptualised by Corporate Communication students, were brought to life through the hands-on construction efforts of the Architecture students as a component of their coursework.

From left: Dr Thanaseelen, Ms Tsia and Mr Wong

Furthermore, the event featured an enlightening educational forum titled “University-led sustainable practices initiative to achieve zero emission by 2050” by UTAR FCI academic Dr Thanaseelen K.P. Rajasakran, Waste Management Association of Malaysia (WMAM) Senior Executive Ms Tsia Mun Kaik and Recircle Sdn Bhd Co-founder Mr Wong Chin Yuan, underscoring UTAR’s commitment to sustainability. Additionally, a Fabric Angpow workshop, conducted in collaboration with Kloth Malaysia, provided participants with hands-on experience in making fabric Angpow. These post-ceremony activities aimed not only to engage the attendees but also to foster a culture of sustainability and creativity within the UTAR community.

“Revive!” organising committee handing over 77 kilogrammes of festive red packets to Yit Mun Enterprise Sdn Bhd

Before this, “Revive!” also conducted a one-and-a-half-month festive red packet collection campaign, during which they collected a total of 77 kilogrammes of festive red packets. These were then handed over to Yit Mun Enterprise Sdn Bhd for recycling.

Yit Mun Enterprise Sdn Bhd played a crucial role as an important partner in the event. The company has been dedicated to waste management since 1998, bringing valuable expertise and support to the initiative. The festive red packet collection campaign garnered support from both UTAR and the Sungai Long community, highlighting the collaborative spirit and community involvement in the initiative.

Lion dance performance at the opening ceremony

Participants enjoying themselves at the game booths

Fabric Angpow workshop

Lucky draw winners

Click here to watch highlight video.