Latest news with #Ecopod
New Straits Times
08-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Govt exploring best approach to develop progressive plastic waste policy
PUTRAJAYA: The government is exploring the best approach to introduce a more progressive policy on plastic waste management, which has become the country's biggest challenge, said Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. He said poorly managed plastic waste could lead to various issues, including health problems for the people. "This is a major concern at the government level. We already have the Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics 2018-2030 and the Malaysia Plastics Sustainability Roadmap 2021-2030. "(However,) the challenge lies in translating these into comprehensive policies, and we also lack a clear legislative framework," he said at the launch of the Ecopod and the presentation of a Guinness World Records certificate here today. Nik Nazmi said Malaysia's participation in the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Conference of the Parties (BRS COPs), held from April 28 to May 9 in Geneva, Switzerland, demonstrated the country's commitment to tackling plastic waste management issues. "The Global Plastics Treaty has garnered worldwide attention, and discussions are ongoing to seek inclusive and progressive approaches. This is a key issue," he said. On May 2, Nik Nazmi said his attendance at BRS COPs underscored Malaysia's strong commitment to controlling transboundary movements of hazardous waste and its disposal. The meeting also served as the first platform for the country to voice Asean's stance, that the region should not be used as the world's dumping ground for toxic, problematic and hard-to-recycle waste. On the Ecopod, which was recognised by the Guinness World Records as the thinnest recycling vending machine, Nik Nazmi said its development aligns with the Malaysia Plastics Sustainability Roadmap 2021-2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He said the machine plays a significant role in supporting the nation's aspiration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 45 per cent by 2030 and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. – Bernama
The Sun
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia leads sustainability with launch of Atlas Ecopod, world's thinnest reverse vending machine
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has officially entered the record books with the unveiling of the Atlas Ecopod, now certified as the world's thinnest reverse vending machine. The Atlas Ecopod is specifically designed to collect and recycle polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and aluminum cans. Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said its development aligns with the Malaysia Plastics Sustainability Roadmap 2021-2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Speaking at the launch and Guinness World Records certificate presentation today, Nik Nazmi highlighted the machine's role in advancing the country's environmental targets, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 45% by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The Ecopod, a locally designed and built innovation, was developed by Atlas Vending, a subsidiary of the Etika Group of Companies. 'Malaysia still generates over one million tonnes of plastic waste annually. This presents a major challenge not only in urban areas but also in rural communities, affecting both public health and economic stability,' he said. Emphasising the need for more efficient recycling infrastructure, Nik Nazmi added that the Ecopod showcases how plastic waste can be compacted and processed effectively—reducing dependence on manual labour and lowering operational costs. He also said while steps have been taken to reduce single-use plastics, Malaysia still lacks clear regulations for dealing with plastics that can't be avoided. 'Last week in Geneva, I joined talks on the Global Plastic Treaty. We're pushing for a fair and forward-looking deal,' he said. 'But at home, we need stronger laws to support recycling of unavoidable plastic waste.' As part of a nationwide sustainability initiative, the Ecopad will see its first 100 units installed in high-traffic areas across Malaysia, encouraging the public to recycle used Etika beverage containers. The Ecopod is designed for scalability and easy use in urban areas. Its compact size allows it to be installed in tight spaces such as public transport stations, building lobbies, and schools—making recycling more accessible for all Malaysians. Each machine is equipped with a barcode scanner that verifies brands and rewards users for recycling Etika bottles and cans. Etika Group chief executive officer Santharuban Thurai Sundaram said the machine is a 100% Malaysian-made solution that blends sustainability with innovative technology. 'This milestone demonstrates Malaysia's capability to lead in the global green economy,' he said. 'It transforms recycling into an engaging experience, with AI-enabled systems and a rewarding mechanism that encourages eco-conscious behaviour among everyday users,' he added.
The Sun
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia unveils Atlas Ecopod, world's thinnest recycling machine
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has officially entered the record books with the unveiling of the Atlas Ecopod, now certified as the world's thinnest reverse vending machine. The Atlas Ecopod is specifically designed to collect and recycle polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and aluminum cans. Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said its development aligns with the Malaysia Plastics Sustainability Roadmap 2021-2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Speaking at the launch and Guinness World Records certificate presentation today, Nik Nazmi highlighted the machine's role in advancing the country's environmental targets, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 45% by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The Ecopod, a locally designed and built innovation, was developed by Atlas Vending, a subsidiary of the Etika Group of Companies. 'Malaysia still generates over one million tonnes of plastic waste annually. This presents a major challenge not only in urban areas but also in rural communities, affecting both public health and economic stability,' he said. Emphasising the need for more efficient recycling infrastructure, Nik Nazmi added that the Ecopod showcases how plastic waste can be compacted and processed effectively—reducing dependence on manual labour and lowering operational costs. He also said while steps have been taken to reduce single-use plastics, Malaysia still lacks clear regulations for dealing with plastics that can't be avoided. 'Last week in Geneva, I joined talks on the Global Plastic Treaty. We're pushing for a fair and forward-looking deal,' he said. 'But at home, we need stronger laws to support recycling of unavoidable plastic waste.' As part of a nationwide sustainability initiative, the Ecopad will see its first 100 units installed in high-traffic areas across Malaysia, encouraging the public to recycle used Etika beverage containers. The Ecopod is designed for scalability and easy use in urban areas. Its compact size allows it to be installed in tight spaces such as public transport stations, building lobbies, and schools—making recycling more accessible for all Malaysians. Each machine is equipped with a barcode scanner that verifies brands and rewards users for recycling Etika bottles and cans. Etika Group chief executive officer Santharuban Thurai Sundaram said the machine is a 100% Malaysian-made solution that blends sustainability with innovative technology. 'This milestone demonstrates Malaysia's capability to lead in the global green economy,' he said. 'It transforms recycling into an engaging experience, with AI-enabled systems and a rewarding mechanism that encourages eco-conscious behaviour among everyday users,' he added.
The Sun
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Govt exploring best approach to develop progressive plastic waste policy
PUTRAJAYA: The government is exploring the best approach to introduce a more progressive policy on plastic waste management, which has become the country's biggest challenge, said Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. He said poorly managed plastic waste could lead to various issues, including health problems for the people. 'This is a major concern at the government level. We already have the Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics 2018-2030 and the Malaysia Plastics Sustainability Roadmap 2021-2030. '(However,) the challenge lies in translating these into comprehensive policies, and we also lack a clear legislative framework,' he said at the launch of the Ecopod and the presentation of a Guinness World Records certificate here today. Nik Nazmi said Malaysia's participation in the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Conference of the Parties (BRS COPs), held from April 28 to May 9 in Geneva, Switzerland, demonstrated the country's commitment to tackling plastic waste management issues. 'The Global Plastics Treaty has garnered worldwide attention, and discussions are ongoing to seek inclusive and progressive approaches. This is a key issue,' he said. On May 2, Nik Nazmi said his attendance at BRS COPs underscored Malaysia's strong commitment to controlling transboundary movements of hazardous waste and its disposal. The meeting also served as the first platform for the country to voice ASEAN's stance -- that the region should not be used as the world's dumping ground for toxic, problematic and hard-to-recycle waste. On the Ecopod, which was recognised by the Guinness World Records as the thinnest recycling vending machine, Nik Nazmi said its development aligns with the Malaysia Plastics Sustainability Roadmap 2021-2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He said the machine plays a significant role in supporting the nation's aspiration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 45 per cent by 2030 and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
