Often it seems we’re drowning in waste. In some cases, literally so. In the world’s seas and oceans, plastic waste has been accumulating at alarming speeds, engulfing large swathes of water and choking marine life in the process. On land too, there is way too much waste, putting great strains on…

If you want a cautionary example of wasteful human activities run amok, look no further than Hong Kong. It’s not that residents of the Chinese territory are more wasteful than others in the developed world; rather, it’s that they have run out of space to store their trash. One of…

If you live in Penang and fail to separate your trash, you may well have to pay for it. Literally: RM250, by way of a fine. The fine came into effect on June 1 and is aimed at encouraging locals to abide by the island’s recycling drive. “The council will conduct…

Wearable technologies are becoming increasingly popular: smartwatches, fitness bands, virtual reality headsets. According to some industry experts, by 2020 the wearables market will be worth $34 billion. Wearables that replicate the features of smartphones are cool gadgets. But can they also be tools for sustainability? The answer is yes. Recycling old technologies With…

Malaysians need plenty of energy daily. They need it to power their electronic devices, their air-conditioners, their cars, and their homes and offices. The trouble is that they end up wasting much of that energy. Being far more energy efficient could not only save Malaysians plenty of money but it could also…

Rampant littering has long been a problem across Malaysia, in some places reaching endemic proportions. Heaps of trash dumped on streets are not only unsightly; they are dangerous too, posing health hazards to people and threats to the environment. “Littering is a recurring problem that raises serious public health concerns which…

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – we’re all familiar with the famous Three R’s of environmental friendliness. Familiar, yes, but not necessarily in tune with them. If you’re Malaysian and regularly sort your household waste into the various types of recyclables before disposing of it into separate designated bins, well done: you…

During the picturesque Hindu Thaipusam festival, which falls on January 24 this year, large crowds of Tamil devotees, other citizens and foreign tourists all engage in joyous merrymaking and colorful processions around Malaysia. In acts of religious charity, local organizations hand out food to worshipers and celebrants alike, routinely doing…