Every piece of plastic ever made still exists in some form. It floats in our rivers. It lines our oceans. It enters our bodies and threatens our future.

Yet there is hope when industries choose to act with intention.

On 30 June 2025, The Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSD ) Malaysia, with the support of WWF-Malaysia, hosted the Plastic Circularity Clinic for Hospitality and Strategic Partnership Ceremony at Aloft KL Sentral. This was more than just an event. It was a call to reimagine how we produce, use and manage plastic. A recognition that plastic should not be treated as waste but as a resource to be used responsibly and kept in circulation. A shared commitment to building systems where sustainability is not an add-on but a way forward.

This milestone event brought together business leaders and sustainability advocates to explore practical pathways towards circularity in the FMCG, hospitality, and retail sectors.

Key Highlights:
Launch of the WWF-Malaysia Plastic Circularity Toolkit, a digital resource to help businesses identify gaps and advance plastic stewardship. Click here for more details https://wwfplastictoolkit.com/

Sector-specific Circularity Clinic for Hospitality, co-delivered with knowledge partner Malaysian Recycling Alliance (MAREA), featuring insights and peer exchange

Strategic Partnership Ceremony formalising the collaboration between BCSD Malaysia and WWF-Malaysia, aimed at driving systemic change through shared learning and action.

In her address, Sophia Lim, Executive Director / CEO of WWF-Malaysia, shared:

This is more than collaboration. It is an alliance for impact. Let this partnership be a call to shift from commitment to action because only together can we turn the tide.

Voices from the event brought clarity to both barriers and breakthroughs:

AEON during the panel discussion titled 'Scaling Circular Solutions across FMCG, Hospitality, and Retail Sector', highlighted its efforts across the value chain, including eliminating plastic straws, redesigning packaging, and introducing ESG-focused supplier programs that reward sustainable practices.

MAREA reminded us that recovery is possible when there is real value in recycled materials. Without strong markets and clear policies, plastic will keep ending up in rivers and landfills. It all starts with local collection and is strengthened by policy, industry action, and public support.

Voluntary Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) was discussed as a proactive step while waiting for regulatory shifts, with examples from countries where transition to mandatory systems improved recycling rates.

With appreciation to:

WWF-Malaysia for developing the Plastic Circularity Toolkit and supporting this important initiative
BCSD Malaysia for organising and coordinating this multi-stakeholder effort
MAREA is producer responsibility organisation (PRO) leading voluntary EPR efforts in Malaysia.
SPRG Malaysia as Communications partner, supporting the initiative's visibility
Aloft KL Sentral as Sustainability partner and venue host

Let this partnership be a spark that transforms circularity from concept to business imperative.

Event highlights from a morning where collaboration led the conversation and purpose shaped the path ahead.

#wwfmy #BCSDMalaysia #MAREA #SPRGMalaysia #AloftKLSentral #PlasticCircularity #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #ESG #HospitalitySector #TogetherPossible #PlasticToolkit #BusinessForSustainability #AEON