Journey to End Plastic Pollution

From 18 to 20 October 2024, the Malaysia Stop Waste Trade Coalition – comprising CAP, C4 Center, Greenpeace Malaysia, and SAM – held the impactful Journey to End Plastic Pollution exhibition at Pavilion Bukit Jalil. The event attracted a diverse audience, including concerned citizens, families, environmentalists, and government officials, all united by a shared commitment to addressing the plastic crisis.

The exhibition was a dynamic platform to raise awareness about the devastating effects of plastic pollution on both the environment and human health. Attendees engaged with a range of interactive displays, educational artwork, informative panels, and fun mini-games, all designed to illuminate the severity of the plastic problem while showcasing practical solutions. Visitors were also encouraged to sign petitions for a reduction in plastic production, with government servants playing a key role in highlighting the importance of policy reforms and stronger government action in combating plastic waste.

This event was not just an exhibition; it was a powerful call to action, urging individuals, industries, and policymakers to work together for a future free from plastic pollution.

Co2_karbondioksida

The exhibition featured a unique series of artworks by the Co2_karbondioksida art collective, using plastic waste collected from communities in Muar. Carefully cleaned and dried, the plastic was repurposed to create three iconic Malaysian dishes: nasi lemak, roti canai, and chicken rice. These striking pieces highlighted the staggering amount of plastic waste that enters our food chains and environment every day.

These artworks served as a stark reminder of the plastic crisis and its impact on our health. Studies show that we unknowingly consume around 15 grams of microplastics each month. By transforming everyday food into art, the collective underscored the urgent need to address plastic pollution and its hidden effects on both the planet and our well-being.

The Story of Sachets

Break Free From Plastic collaborated with award-winning photojournalist Ezra Acayan, recognized as the 2023 News Photographer of the Year in Asia Pacific and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Acayan’s striking images document the entire lifecycle of sachets, highlighting their journey from production to overflowing landfills, polluted waterways, and the impact on vulnerable communities.

In this educational display, a staff member engages visitors with the story of sachets – single-use, multi-layered packaging heavily promoted by global fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs). These sachets, used for everything from shampoo and detergent to instant coffee and sauces, are marketed at low prices but come with significant hidden costs. Sachets are made primarily from plastics and often mixed with paper and metal, which are difficult to recycle.

The staff highlighted the real costs tied to these seemingly convenient products, uncovering the individuals and communities that bear the burden of our dependence on single-use packaging.

Stop the Plastic Waste Trade

At the exhibition, a powerful display highlighted the pressing issue of plastic waste in Malaysia, revealing startling statistics about its impact on the environment. Every year, significant quantities of imported and mismanaged plastic waste find their way into the ocean, posing serious threats to marine life and coastal ecosystems. This ongoing pollution not only harms wildlife but also tarnishes our beautiful beaches, leaving lasting scars on nature.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the Philippines has been identified as the leading contributor of plastic waste to the ocean, with a staggering average of 3.3 kg per person in 2019. Malaysia closely follows, with approximately 2.29 kg of plastic waste per capita entering our waters. These figures emphasize the urgent need for action to address the plastic crisis affecting our oceans.

Through this informative display, visitors were not only educated about the severity of plastic pollution in Malaysia but also encouraged to reflect on their own consumption patterns and the collective responsibility to safeguard our environment for future generations.

Sunway Art

Sunway University’s artwork, Noktah, created from reclaimed plastic waste, serves as the centerpiece of a group exhibition focused on planetary health. In Malay, “Noktah” means “full stop”, yet this title holds a deeper significance. Just as three dots create an ellipsis, Noktah symbolizes continuity, growth, and progress toward a sustainable future. Each artist involved has aligned their projection mapping with one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), tackling themes like climate action, biodiversity preservation, responsible consumption, and public health. Through Noktah, the artists inspire viewers to see sustainability as an ongoing journey rather than an end.

Educational Mini-Games

The exhibition featured two engaging mini-games designed to educate visitors about plastic waste and promote sustainable alternatives.

The first game challenged participants to sort plastic waste into recyclable and non-recyclable categories. Attendees learned that only plastics labeled with numbers 1 (Polyethylene Terephthalate, PET), 2 (High-Density Polyethylene, HDPE), and 5 (Polypropylene) can be recycled. Families, including children, eagerly participated in this hands-on activity, gaining valuable insights into proper recycling practices.

The second mini-game invited visitors to match single-use items with their more sustainable substitutes. For instance, participants discovered that single-use cutlery can be replaced with stainless steel options, and plastic water bottles can be swapped for reusable tumblers. This interactive experience encouraged attendees to think critically about their consumption habits and consider eco-friendly choices in their daily lives.

Refill Station

The refill station at the exhibition promotes sustainable practices by encouraging visitors to bring their own bottles to refill various household products. This innovative system helps reduce plastic waste, as it eliminates the need to discard empty containers each time a product, such as detergent or dishwasher liquid, runs out.

The refill station offers a range of biobased products, including a baby series (dishwasher and detergent) as well as standard detergent, dishwasher, and multipurpose liquids. Made from plant-based ingredients, these products are gentler on the skin, making them an excellent choice for families. Moreover, the pricing is affordable compared to other biobased products, making it more accessible for consumers to choose environmentally friendly options without straining their budgets. This initiative not only fosters a culture of sustainability but also empowers individuals to take active steps toward reducing their environmental impact.

Fireside Chat: Planet or Plastic?

The “People or Plastic?” Fireside Chat was one of the main sessions of the event, bringing together Malaysia’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Y.B. Nik Nazmi bin Nik Ahmad, with prominent human rights and environmental advocates. Panelists included the Representative of Malaysia to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission of Human Rights (AICHR) H.E. Edmund Bon Tai Soon, and Honorary Secretary of Sahabat Alam Malaysia and Researcher for the Consumers’ Association of Penang Mageswari Sangaralingam, moderated by climate action and sustainability advocate Melissa Tan.

The panel dove deep into Malaysia’s plastic waste crisis, with Minister Y.B. Nik Nazmi addressing the challenges of fragmented policies across federal, state, and local governments. He stressed the need for a National Policy on plastics, aligned with global efforts like the Global Plastics Treaty, to create a unified approach toward tackling the issue.

Panelist H.E. Edmund Bon Tai Soon emphasized the importance of the ASEAN Declaration on Environmental Rights, urging Malaysia to champion this initiative as it chairs ASEAN next year. Y.B. Nik Nazmi reinforced Malaysia’s commitment, declaring, “We cannot miss this golden opportunity; for so long we’ve had this ASEAN way of ‘you mind your own business’.”

Bringing in a critical perspective, Mageswari Sangaralingam questioned the validity of plastic credits and the government’s plan to establish 18 Waste-to-Energy plants, warning that they might be “incinerators in disguise”. She urged the need to curb plastic production globally, stating that sustainability requires us to address the issue at its source, not just recycle the waste.

This session underscored the vital intersection between human and environmental rights and Malaysia’s responsibility to lead the way with impactful, lasting solutions in the region’s fight against plastic pollution.

Conclusion

As the “Journey to End Plastic Pollution” event came to a close, it left a powerful reminder: the time to act is now. Each session, discussion, and panel highlighted the urgent need for sustainable solutions that go beyond managing waste to reducing plastic production at its source. From policymakers and activists to community advocates, everyone gathered here shared a vision of a cleaner, healthier future. Together, we can and must break free from plastic pollution, creating a legacy of sustainability for future generations.