Posted on August 31, 2026
KUALA LUMPUR: Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd has strengthened its beach clean-up programme by bringing together employee volunteers, communities and partners nationwide to drive lasting impact through activities ranging from ghost nets and marine debris recovery to coral reef protection and environmental education.
The programme this year placed greater emphasis on community education and stewardship.
Held at Pantai Kelanang, Selangor, environmental restoration activities were paired with sustainability communication, education and public awareness (CEPA) sessions with Orang Asli residents from Teluk Tongkah and Permatang Buah Kelanang, providing them with practical guidance on waste segregation, recycling and responsible disposal.
The initiative aims to empower communities to take an active role in protecting their environment over the long term.
Chief executive officer Juan Aranols said Malaysia’s coastlines and marine ecosystems are precious natural assets that support livelihoods, food security and biodiversity, whereby protecting them requires sustained action, education and a shared commitment to stewardship of natural ecosystems.
“With my fellow community of Nestlé divers, I have seen firsthand both the beauty and fragility of our marine environment. From removing crown-of-thorns starfish that threaten coral reefs to recovering ghost nets left behind from fishing activities, our underwater conservation efforts have reinforced the importance of protecting these ecosystems for the long term,” he said.
Beyond Pantai Kelanang, the 2026 programme reached communities across Kedah, Kelantan, Johor, Sabah and Pahang, combining coastal clean-ups with underwater conservation activities.
In Pulau Tioman, Nestlé Malaysia partnered with the Fisheries Department and Reef Check Malaysia to remove the crown-of-thorns starfish in support of coral reef conservation.
Across all locations this year, almost 400 volunteers collected 1,259.51 kg of waste, bringing the total waste collected since 2019 to nearly 18 tonnes
Impact Revolution Enterprise co-founder and programme director Mohd Faisal Abdur Rani said that over the years, the coastal and underwater clean-up initiative evolved from an effort focused on removing waste into a broader platform for environmental awareness and community action.
“At several locations where clean-ups have been conducted consistently, we have observed lower volumes of waste collected during comparable periods. While factors such as tides, seasons and visitor activity can influence the amount of waste present, this is an encouraging sign that awareness and responsible waste disposal behaviours may be improving.
“It also reinforces the importance of sustained engagement, education and stronger community ownership of coastal environments,” he added.
The initiative is part of the Nestlé Sayang Komuniti volunteer platform, which enables employees to contribute directly to community and environmental causes.
Through strong collaboration with local communities, non-governmental organisations and public sector stakeholders, Nestlé Malaysia continues to create shared value for both people and the planet.
