PETRONAS Planting Tomorrow: A community-driven approach to sustainability

Borneo Post

19-05-2025

Nik Nazmi (right) trying his hand at sewing a bag from discarded textiles, assisted by Siti Azlina.
SOME 50 residents of Kampung Warisan Inanam and 48 from Kampung Cenderamata 2 Likas have taken waste management to another level, not only
reducing waste but turning it into income-generating products.
The villagers, consisting mainly of housewives, are the participants of PETRONAS Planting Tomorrow: Towards Sustainable Communities, a PETRONAS signature programme carried out in collaboration with Yayasan Hijau Malaysia (YHM), an agency under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability.
Through the programme, the participants were trained not only to reduce waste through recycling but also to upcycle it into valuable products.
Upcycling – From Trash to Treasure
The participants from Kampung Warisan Inanam focused on upcycling textile waste into bags and pencil cases, while Kampung Cenderamata 2 Likas upcycled plastic waste into beads, key chains, and coasters.
Ruhainah Rustan of Kampung Warisan Inanam said that she and her peers have sold various products made from discarded textiles since acquiring the skill through the programme.
'We received six months of training, and since then, we've been able to sell our products at PETRONAS and Kota Kinabalu City Hall events. It's not much, but at least we can supplement our incomes,' said the 47-year-old housewife.
Ruhainah (right) and fellow participants fromKampung Warisan Inanam with bags they made
from discarded textiles.
Ruhainah expressed hope for additional training, especially in producing larger items like bedsheets and blankets, saying she had never participated in such programme before.
Meanwhile, Rafidah Sarigan of Kampung Cenderamata 2 Likas said she and her peers grabbed the opportunity as soon as YHM and PETRONAS offered them to participate in the programme in February 2024.
According to the 41-year-old clerk, Kampung Cenderamata 2 Likas is no stranger to waste management, having been recognised as a 'clean village' for many years by Kota Kinabalu City Hall. Therefore, waste management and sustainability have long been close to the community's heart.
Rafidah showing bracelets produced from discarded plastic.
Rafidah, a member of the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK), said sourcing raw materials was easy as the villagers regularly separated waste and donated recyclable plastics to the local collection centre.
'So, when we were approached to join the programme, many villagers jumped at the opportunity. We participated in training sessions, and now we can make products from discarded plastics such as detergent containers,' she said.
'With the guidance provided, we've also learnt the commercial aspects of upcycling and have sold our products at various events. While we're not making significant income yet, we're looking forward to broadening our market and expanding our product range.'
Building Awareness Beyond Upcycling
Apart from upcycling training, the programme also included other environmental sustainability-related activities such as beach cleaning and environmental workshops involving students from nearby schools.
During his recent visit to Kampung Cenderamata 2 Likas, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad described the partnership between YHM and PETRONAS as a strong example of how strategic collaboration can contribute to the country's circular economy agenda.
Apart from reinforcing PETRONAS' role in supporting national sustainability goals, he said the partnership drives behavioural change at the grassroots level through the various activities that raised awareness on the importance of responsible consumption and waste management among the communities.
Discarded plastic and processed products.
'This initiative also empowers local communities by equipping them with practical skills to repurpose waste materials into useful and marketable products such as household items, souvenirs, and cleaning agents.
'This programme proves that when communities are actively engaged and empowered, they become powerful agents of change, turning waste into economic opportunities through upcycling and recycling waste into product initiatives.
'We are not only tackling pollution but also building local livelihoods. This initiative has sparked greater awareness, participation, and ownership at the grassroots level especially among women and micro entrepreneurs.
'It also fosters a long-term behavioural shift towards responsible waste management. With continued support and cross-sector collaboration, this model can be scaled nationwide to drive Malaysia's sustainability goals from the ground up,' he said.
Thanking PETRONAS and YHM for the initiative, Kota Kinabalu Mayor, Dato' Sri Dr Sabin Samitah said such programme not only benefits the participating communities but also helps City Hall in upkeeping the city's cleanliness.
Also present at the event was PETRONAS Senior General Manager, Strategic Communications, Group Strategic Relations and Communications, Siti Azlina Abdul Latif, and PETRONAS Sabah and Labuan Regional Office General Manager, Siti Ayu Abdul Wahab.
'Through the PETRONAS Planting Tomorrow: Towards Sustainable Communities initiative, we are empowering communities in the two villages to transform waste into valuable products.
'This grassroots effort promotes environmental sustainability and creates economic opportunities for the residents, particularly women and micro-entrepreneurs. It's a testament to the power of collaboration in building resilient communities,' Siti Azlina said. community Petronas Recycling sustainability Previous Article China's inbound tourism market boasts vast potential