SHAH ALAM - In a major stride towards environmental sustainability, KDEB Waste Management (KDEBWM) and Nestlé Malaysia have signed a Collaboration Agreement to roll out Programme SELKitar, the next phase of Malaysia’s largest voluntary Extended Producer Responsibility (VEPR) initiative under Project Save.
The initiative was formalised in a signing ceremony attended by key state leaders, marking a strong commitment from both public and private sectors to combat plastic waste and strengthen the circular economy in Selangor.
KDEBWM Managing Director Datuk Ramli Mohd Tahir, highlighted that the collaboration goes beyond a typical agreement, embodying a united commitment, shared vision and collective responsibility toward sustainability.
He added that it is a meaningful milestone for KDEBWM to join forces with a progressive partner like Nestlé Malaysia, whose leadership in environmental stewardship, packaging innovation and circular economy efforts serves as an inspiring model for the industry and beyond.
"To Nestlé Malaysia, we sincerely thank you for your willingness to collaborate with KDEBWM. Your proactive stance in joining this voluntary initiative demonstrates real leadership in sustainability.
"We are grateful for your trust, your investment in this programme and your partnership in helping to build a more responsible and efficient waste management ecosystem in Selangor,” he said at the signing ceremony event held at Shah Alam Convention Centre (SACC) earlier today.
Programme SELKitar aims to expand Nestlé Malaysia’s existing Door-to-Door Collection and Recycling Programme to an additional 17,000 landed households in Subang Jaya and Sepang beginning May.
This builds upon Project Save, which since its launch in 2020 has diverted more than 33,000 tonnes of waste, including over 20,000 tonnes of plastic, from landfills and oceans. The effort currently spans more than 200,000 households in the Klang Valley and Penang.
Highlighting the programme’s transformative approach, Datuk Ramli said that the VEPR scheme and Programme SELKITAR mark a strategic shift in how we manage waste, especially plastic and post-consumer packaging.
"It focuses not just on disposal, but on recovery, recycling and rethinking our consumption patterns. Through this programme, we aim to create a sustainable loop that engages producers, consumers and waste managers in a meaningful way.
"At KDEBWM, we believe in the power of collaboration. We know that tackling environmental challenges cannot be done in isolation. It requires collective action of public-private partnerships, policy support and most importantly, the will to act,” he added.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who was also present, highlighted the state's environmental direction.
"We are pleased to witness initiatives such as Programme SELKitar shaping environmental consciousness in our state.
"The implementation of Act 672 in Selangor signals our commitment to uniform, sustainable waste practices and this partnership reflects our belief that progress can only be achieved through joint, sustained effort,” he mentioned.
Meanwhile, Selangor’s Executive Councillor for Public Health and Environment, Jamaliah Jamaluddin applauded the initiative’s alignment with state policies.
"Programme SELKitar is not only in sync with Selangor’s sound environmental policy but also represents a significant step forward in how we engage communities in waste management for the long term.
"By combining infrastructure with education and awareness, we are creating a ‘recycling-ready’ Selangor that is better equipped to build a more sustainable future,” she said.
In addition, Nestlé Malaysia’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Juan Aranols reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to environmental sustainability, saying that creating shared value is central to how Nestlé addresses environmental challenges.
He added that Programme SELKitar builds meaningfully on their ongoing Project Save, turning their pledge to combat plastic waste and encourage circular resource use into concrete action.
"With the continued expansion of our Door-to-Door Collection and Recycling Programme, we move closer to our vision of a Malaysia free of plastic waste, where post-consumer packaging is sustainably managed through effective collection systems.
"This partnership with KDEBWM reinforces Nestlé’s global pledge to achieve plastic neutrality by 2025, ensuring that none of our packaging ends up in landfills or oceans,” he said.
Programme SELKitar will implement tailored collection strategies for both open and gated communities, promoting operational efficiency and educating residents on household waste segregation.
Recyclables will be transported to a Material Recovery Facility in Bukit Puchong, while participating households will receive Communication, Education and Public Awareness (Cepa) materials to support a simplified, single-stream recycling system.
The VEPR scheme also supports Selangor’s 2025 Budget priorities to reduce landfill dependency and increase recycling rates across local municipalities. Already in discussion is a second phase of expansion to include strata residences and suburban villages.