O-I BJC Malaysia’s Glass Ambassador Program has launched its first student competition for glass bottle recycling.
The program’s goal is to reduce solid waste deposits in landfills by increasing public awareness of the benefits of glass bottle recycling for environmental sustainability and the circular economy. The contest runs on KITARecycle, a smartphone app designed to encourage recycling by awarding recycling points (RP) and rewards. KITARecycle accepts over 25 types of recyclable items, and organizers expect to collect up to 10,000 kilograms of used glass bottles for recycling from 30 primary schools in Johor.
Involving primary school students in the competition is an example of O-I BJC Malaysia’s long-term commitment to environmental sustainability. To encourage community involvement, O-I BJC Malaysia has supplied the 30 participating schools with recycling bin facilities to facilitate recycling activities by students, teachers, and parents, in addition to offering cash prizes as incentives.
The contest is made possible through a strategic collaboration between the Johor State Education Department (JPNJ), the Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB), and the integrated waste management provider, SWM Environment. Launched in September, it runs through January 2023.
Incorporating Sustainability and STEM Elements
The contest incorporates sustainability education elements with the application of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Project Based Learning (PBL). The program complements the Johor State Education Department’s Sustainability Education Action Plan for 2019-2030.
Using Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions, the contest creates a forum for sharing knowledge about sustainable waste management and glass bottle recycling practices and involving industry players and educators. As a result, participating schools are becoming small ambassadors for glass bottle recycling—increasing the involvement of the local community in recycling activities.
Glass Ambassador Program
O-I BJC Malaysia’s Glass Ambassador Program focuses on increasing awareness around the circularity of glass, stimulating social impact, energizing economic development, advancing manufacturing aptitude, and achieving a sustainable future.
O-I BJC Malaysia has targeted initiatives to grow and improve glass recycling by promoting best practices to improve environmental and economic impacts. The Glass Ambassadors promote the benefits of recycling glass, educating the public about O-I BJC Malaysia’s use of recycled glass to make new glass containers. This process uses fewer raw materials and less energy, reducing carbon emissions.
