The community of Mambang Diawan, Kampar, witnessed a significant milestone as the “We Want No Plastic” project was soft-launched at Pusat Khidmat Rakyat ADUN Malim Nawar on 27 July 2024. This groundbreaking initiative, spearheaded by 62 dedicated Public Relations students from UTAR under the guidance of UTAR Faculty of Arts and Social Science academic Ms Diong Fong Wei, aims to tackle the pressing issue of single-use plastic pollution in Malaysia, aligning with the nation’s Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics 2018-2030.

The ceremony was evidence of the students’ thorough planning and creativity, offering a diverse range of engaging activities that captivated attendees throughout the day.

One of the standout features of the event was the future-themed recyclable fashion show titled “Spice to Fantastic 1.0.” This innovative showcase featured 10 models, comprised of committee members parading clothing redesigned from recyclable materials. The fashion show not only highlighted the students’ commitment to environmental sustainability but also celebrated the potential of recycled materials in the fashion industry. The wide-ranging mix of clothing styles, from goth and elegance to futuristic and floral, highlighted the infinite possibilities of sustainable fashion. The show concluded with a delightful appearance by the mascot “Fantastic,” leaving the audience both entertained and inspired.

Another interactive element was the DIY booth, where participants engaged with committee members to create art from reusable materials. Attendees had the opportunity to paint butterflies made from repurposed plastic bottles and craft reusable bags from old shirts. The project’s merchandise, including tote bags and tumblers, was also met with enthusiastic support from the public and guests alike.

A highlight of the event was the educational forum on waste management and microplastics. The forum featured insights from industry experts such as Mr Mohd Izham bin Ahmad from Majlis Daerah Kampar (MDKpr), Dr Tai Nyok Ling from Zaneco Sdn Bhd, Mr Muhammad Aswad bin Abd Rashid from Green Energy Asia, and Ts Dr Wong Ling Yong from UTAR Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT). The forum shed light on critical issues such as the staggering amount of waste produced by households daily and the ingestion of microplastics.

Mr Mohd Izham emphasised the importance of public awareness and community action, citing MDKpr’s ongoing environmental initiatives, including e-waste recycling and 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) campaigns. He praised the students’ efforts and said, “Thank you UTAR PR CSR Project students for taking part and joining hands with the PERAK BERSIH DAN SIHAT (PERAK BEST) event. Together, we strive to make Perak a cleaner and pollution-free state.”

The event also received notable support from Puan Bavani Veraiah (Shasha), Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Malim Nawar, who lauded the collaboration between UTAR and MDKpr and announced a generous RM1,000 donation to the project. “Congratulations to the ‘We Want No Plastic’ project committee members for their high commitment and determination,” she enthused.

UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, highlighted the university’s commitment to environmental sustainability by announcing that starting 1 October 2024, UTAR will phase out non-degradable plastic bags and straws across its campuses. This initiative, which includes the adoption of alternative packaging options by food vendors, aims to foster a culture of environmental responsibility within the UTAR community.

Chen Zhi Shan, the Project Director of “We Want No Plastic” reflected on the ongoing challenge of raising public awareness about single-use plastics. She expressed the group’s determination to continue promoting environmental consciousness and deepening public understanding of these critical issues.

The event received positive feedback from participants, with one attendee saying, “Thank you very much for organising such a beneficial event. I think it was highly successful because of the hard work and team spirit of the committee members. Apart from being beneficial to the participants, I hope that this was also a good learning experience for the UTAR PR students.”

The “We Want No Plastic” project not only exemplifies the dedication of UTAR’s Public Relations students but also serves as a powerful reminder of the collective effort required to combat environmental challenges.

Prior to the soft launch, the “We Want No Plastic” members kicked off their “We Want No Plastic” project with a vibrant flash mob at Kampar Wet Market on 13 July 2024. They showcased a series of performances designed to highlight the environmental impact of single-use plastics and promote eco-friendly alternatives. Highlights included a vocal rendition of ‘Rasa Sayang’ with new lyrics on reducing plastic use, an unplugged version of “Fight Song”, and a medley featuring “Waka Waka”, “Shape of You” and “Sugar”. The students also used musical instruments crafted from repurposed plastic materials, such as shakers and castanets. The event concluded with a dynamic flash mob dance to the Chinese song ‘Ye Lang Disco’ which carried a message on environmental conservation.