About Us - EcoRecycle Malaysia | Our Story, Mission & Team

Our Mission

To create a sustainable future for Malaysia by transforming how individuals, businesses, and communities approach plastic waste through practical education, innovative solutions, and collaborative action.

We believe that the plastic waste challenge facing Malaysia isn't just an environmental problem—it's an opportunity to reimagine our relationship with resources, create green employment, and build a more resilient economy. Through comprehensive training programs, we empower people with the knowledge and skills to turn waste into valuable resources while reducing environmental harm.

Our approach combines scientific rigor with practical application. Every workshop includes hands-on training with real recycling equipment, site visits to processing facilities, and actionable strategies participants can implement immediately. We don't just teach theory—we build capability.

Our Vision

A Malaysia where plastic waste is recognized as a valuable resource, circular economy principles guide business decisions, and every community has the capacity to manage waste sustainably.

We envision a future where:

Every Malaysian household understands how to properly sort and recycle plastics
Businesses design products and processes for circularity from the start
Communities have local recycling infrastructure and green employment opportunities
Malaysia becomes a regional leader in waste management innovation
The next generation inherits cleaner oceans, healthier ecosystems, and sustainable systems

This vision drives everything we do—from curriculum development to partnership building to policy advocacy. We're not content with incremental improvements; we're working toward systemic transformation.

Our Journey

Seven years of impact, innovation, and growth

2018

The Beginning

EcoRecycle Malaysia was founded by three environmental engineers frustrated by the gap between academic knowledge and practical implementation in waste management. Starting with a small facility in Georgetown and just five initial participants, we launched our first Basic Plastic Recycling workshop.

The response exceeded expectations—participants appreciated the hands-on approach and immediately applicable skills. Word spread quickly through environmental networks and community organizations.

2019

Expanding Reach

We expanded our program offerings to include Commercial Waste Management workshops specifically designed for businesses. Partnerships with Penang State Government and local municipalities provided access to larger facilities and enabled us to train community leaders at subsidized rates.

By year's end, we had trained 380 individuals and helped establish 8 community recycling programs across Penang. Our first corporate client—a manufacturing company—achieved 35% waste reduction within six months of completing our program.

2020

Adapting and Innovating

The global pandemic forced us to innovate rapidly. We developed hybrid training models combining online theory sessions with small-group practical workshops conducted under strict safety protocols. This approach made our programs accessible to participants across Malaysia, not just Penang.

We also launched our Educational Outreach program, partnering with 12 schools to bring environmental education to over 2,000 students. Despite challenges, 2020 saw us train 520 participants and divert 12 tons of plastic from landfills through supported community programs.

2021

Recognition and Growth

Our work gained national recognition when we received the Malaysian Environmental Excellence Award for Education and Capacity Building. This recognition opened doors to larger partnerships and funding opportunities.

We expanded our team from 6 to 15 staff members, opened a second training facility in Butterworth, and launched our Circular Economy Principles workshop for businesses ready to implement comprehensive sustainability strategies. Annual training participants reached 850, and supported community programs collectively diverted 25 tons of plastic from landfills.

2022

Regional Expansion

Building on our success in Penang, we began training master trainers from other Malaysian states who could replicate our programs in their communities. This train-the-trainer model enabled exponential growth in our impact without requiring proportional increases in our core team.

We also began hosting international participants from Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines, sharing our methodologies and learning from regional counterparts. The year concluded with 1,100 direct training participants and an estimated 3,500 additional people reached through trained master trainers.

2023

Innovation Hub

We transformed our Georgetown facility into a Circular Economy Innovation Hub—a demonstration center showcasing cutting-edge recycling technologies, circular product designs, and successful case studies. The Hub hosts regular tours for schools, businesses, and government delegations.

This year also saw the launch of our mentorship program, connecting workshop alumni with experienced practitioners for ongoing support. Training participants reached 1,450, corporate clients grew to 180, and community programs we've supported collectively exceeded 45 tons of annual plastic diversion.

2024

Policy Impact

Our data and case studies contributed to the development of Penang State's Updated Solid Waste Management Roadmap 2024-2030. We were invited to provide technical input on Extended Producer Responsibility regulations and participated in national consultations on circular economy policy.

We also launched a research program in partnership with Universiti Sains Malaysia, examining the economic and environmental impacts of community-based recycling programs. This research is helping us continuously improve our methodologies while contributing to the broader knowledge base.

2025

Looking Forward

As we enter our seventh year, we're more ambitious than ever. We're developing advanced certification programs for recycling professionals, expanding our corporate consulting services, and piloting innovative financing mechanisms to make recycling infrastructure more accessible to communities.

With over 2,500 training participants, 180 corporate clients, and 47 supported community programs, we're just getting started. The challenges are immense, but so is the potential for positive change. Together with our alumni, partners, and supporters, we're building the circular economy Malaysia needs.

Our Core Values

The principles that guide our work

Collaboration

Environmental challenges are too complex for any single organization to solve. We build partnerships across sectors, share knowledge freely, and create networks that amplify individual efforts. Success means collective impact, not individual recognition.

Innovation

We continuously seek better ways to educate, process materials, and organize systems. Innovation means being open to new ideas regardless of their source, testing rigorously, and scaling what works while learning from what doesn't.

Integrity

We base our teaching on scientific evidence and real-world results, not wishful thinking or greenwashing. When we don't know something, we say so. When we make mistakes, we acknowledge them and learn. Trust is our most valuable asset.

Inclusivity

Sustainable solutions must work for everyone. We design programs accessible to diverse participants regardless of educational background, income level, or language. Environmental stewardship shouldn't be exclusive—it must be universal.

Long-term Thinking

Quick fixes rarely solve complex problems. We focus on building capability, changing systems, and creating lasting impact rather than pursuing short-term metrics. Success is measured in decades, not quarters.

Results-Oriented

Good intentions aren't enough—we must deliver measurable impact. We track outcomes rigorously, publish our results transparently, and continuously improve based on evidence. Accountability drives excellence.

Meet Our Team

Dedicated professionals committed to environmental excellence

Dr. Aminah Hassan

Founder & Director

Environmental engineer with 15+ years experience in waste management systems. Holds PhD in Environmental Engineering from Universiti Sains Malaysia and has published 20+ research papers on plastic recycling technologies.

Ahmad Razak

Head of Training

Former operations manager at major recycling facility with 12 years hands-on experience. Specializes in commercial waste management and has trained over 1,000 business professionals across Malaysia.

Siti Nurhaliza

Community Programs Manager

Community development specialist who has established 47 successful recycling programs across Penang. Expert in stakeholder engagement and grassroots mobilization with background in social work.

Lee Wei Ming

Corporate Training Specialist

Former sustainability consultant for multinational corporations. Brings deep understanding of business operations and regulatory compliance to help companies implement effective waste reduction strategies.

Dr. Tan Swee Kuan

Research & Innovation Lead

Materials scientist researching advanced recycling technologies and circular economy applications. Leads our Innovation Hub and manages partnerships with universities and research institutions.

Nurul Izzah

Education Outreach Coordinator

Former secondary school science teacher passionate about youth environmental education. Develops curriculum and manages partnerships with schools across Penang, reaching thousands of students annually.

Our Story