KUALA LUMPUR (April 6): A group of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies in Malaysia has teamed up to establish the Malaysian Recycling Alliance (MAREA).

In a statement, MAREA said the alliance was formed to enable a voluntary, industry-led extended producer responsibility (EPR) group of like-minded companies to focus on boosting the value chain and significantly improve the collection and recycling of post-consumer packaging.

The first alliance of its kind in the country, MAREA comprises 10 initial members, namely Coca-Cola Malaysia, Colgate-Palmolive Malaysia, Dutch Lady Milk Industries, Etika Group of Companies, Fraser & Neave Malaysia, Mondelez International Malaysia, Nestlé Malaysia, Spritzer, Tetra Pak Malaysia and Unilever Malaysia.

The alliance said its goals will primarily revolve around enhancing collection, promoting the use of recycled and renewable materials as well as minimising post-consumer packaging leakage into the environment.

MAREA said it is committed to collaborating with the Malaysian government and other stakeholders interested in the matter to drive its goal of achieving circular economic solutions that are conducive to a cleaner and greener Malaysia.

MAREA chairman Juan Aranols, who is also Nestlé Malaysia chief executive officer, said the members of MAREA decided that they must proactively take action by creating the first EPR platform to radically improve how consumer packaging waste is managed in Malaysia.

“Through MAREA, we will rethink how we can make the packaging value chain more environmentally sustainable.

“However, change cannot be driven by one entity alone and requires proactive collaboration between FMCG companies, policy makers, consumers, recycling companies and other stakeholders who share an aspiration,” he said.

Meanwhile, MAREA general manager Pauline Goh said that with packaging waste escalating in recent times, environmental concerns are at an all-time high.

“Our aim is to promote sustainable end-of-life disposal of post-consumer plastic packaging waste through higher recyclability and recycled content. Changing consumer habits is also integral in our sustainability agenda and this can only come from sustained and effective programmes which we intend to roll out with partners and other stakeholders,” she said.

MAREA was incorporated on Jan 4 this year.