Project Title: Project Paplet – Saving the world, one page at a time
Duration: More than 1 year since June 2016, still ongoing
Location: Malaysia ( KL, Damansara, Bangi, Kedah, Perlis) and US (University of Illinois)
Project Paplet is a campaign to curb wastage of paper
Objective: Encourage the public to utilize both sides of paper before throwing/recycling.
Background: Recycling paper uses caustic chemicals and produces harmful byproducts and emissions.
Problem: Excessive wastage of paper in Malaysia. Each Malaysian consumes 110 kg of paper in a year, equivalent to 3 million tons & only 5% was recycled
Solution: Project Paplet collects one-sided used paper from universities /firms and make booklets out of it to promote efficient use of paper & reduce amount of paper sent for recycling
Tonnes of paper saved: We have made an estimated 20,000 Paplets which equates to 2 tonnes of paper.
A lot of beneficiaries: We partnered with 74 institutions, including the United Nations High Commission of Refugees (UNHCR). Through this partnership, 50 refugee schools across Malaysia was able to get sufficient booklets to aid them in their studies. Project Paplet America has also helped autistic children gain the books for their education.
Shareable Toolkit : We have also made toolkits to help companies and institutions carry out Project Paplet in their premises.
How did this project create impact to the employees/ volunteers?
- Spread the pride and awareness
The employees are more aware of responsible consumption of resources. Promote and teach other the concept of paperless, reuse and recycle in the community and contribute to building a greener environment.
- Real impact of saving the papers
Gain ownership to reuse , recycle, and fully utilizing both side of the paper.
What impact has this project created in the community / nation?
- Project Paplet raised awareness in 12000+ people on responsible consumption of papers and the importance of reusing before recycling through events, media coverage and social media.
- Donation of booklets to UNHCR helps the students in 50 refugees schools & 15 orphanages across Malaysia as education materials.
- Project Paplet saved >2 tonnes of paper to date, saving 8,000 kW of energy.
Who were the partners in this project and what their roles?
- Education Institutions:
UNITEN–Co-organised our flagship event
University of Illinois (UIUC)–Introduced this project to USA
Youth Leadership Academy–Provided guidance and a platform
YLA education- Project Hero
- Corporate:
UEM Sunrise Bhd–event venue sponsor
DC Print–Donated us 1 ton of used-paper
The Star & NST–Media exposure
- Beneficiaries:
UNHCR
15 Orphanages & Autism School in USA
How was this project help to advance the chosen SDG?
Tangible:
Reused 2 tonnes of paper which means 34 trees, 760 gallons of oil, 6 yards of landfill space, 8000kW of energy and 14000 gallons of water saved.
Intangible:
Awareness through “Start Your Own Paplet” initiatives that allow public to further understand the benefits and convenience of reusing paper. People start to know how they could “save the world, one page at a time.”
