On a mission to increase environmental awareness

SEEING more people bring bags and containers when out shopping is a goal for Hwang Pei See.

The 54-year-old mother of two, who was born in Penang and grew up in Kuala Lumpur, aims to create and spread awareness on environmental conservation.

Now living in Ipoh, Perak, she is encouraging folk to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle through her Ipoh Refill Zero Waste store.

Situated in Taman Ipoh Selatan, Hwang said the main products in her shop were eco-friendly items such as detergents, tableware, shampoo and floor cleaners.

“When I moved here, I found that people were still opting for single-use plastic bags and rarely bring their own bags when shopping.

“In my store, we encourage customers to bring their own containers or bottles when buying products.

“If they don’t bring any, they can get it from us and reuse it for the next refill,” she said when met at the shop.

Hwang said the products had been carefully selected for her store.

Signs with environmental messages in front of Hwang’s shop in Ipoh Garden, Perak.

“I do not want to pollute the water when it goes down the drain,” she said, adding that the cleaning liquids were also paraben-free and gentle on the skin.

“The products are supplied by an Ipoh-based company, so carbon footprint is also reduced,” she added.

Apart from cleaning products, Hwang said the shop also sold pre-loved clothing, grains and nuts, dried fruits, pet kibble, cooking oil, handicrafts made from recyclable waste and Bokashi composting equipment.

“Our products are not expensive, so hopefully more people will embrace our concept.

“By reducing the usage of packaging, there will be less rubbish sent to the landfill too.

“I hope to help cultivate a new habit among Ipoh folk, that they bring their own containers and bags whenever they go shopping,” she said.

Before setting up the shop, Hwang said she created a group called Zero Waste Perak on a social media platform to find like-minded people.

Not long after the group was formed, she said she was approached by Biji-biji Initiative – a collective of social enterprises and non-governmental organisations to accelerate sustainable development – to join its Environmental Accelerator Programme and become a green economy change-maker.

“My mission then was to spread awareness on unpackaged retailing, to reduce production of single-use packages and promote this concept in Perak.

Hwang showing some of the items made from recycled waste.- Photo: RONNIE CHIN/The Star

“I had six months to achieve my key performance index, which was to set up five refill stations that sell laundry detergent, toilet cleaner, floor cleaner, and dish detergent.

“I now have three refill stations in Ipoh, with one in Lumut and another in Manjung,” she added.

Hwang said she also partnered with a cafe in Bukit Merah to hold a “Zero Waste Bazaar” last year.

“A lot of people asked me to organise more events as they were excited about it.

“I was glad that my actions have managed to create a ripple effect,” she said.

Hwang said it had always been her passion to educate and create awareness about preserving the environment.

“I have been involved with a turtle conservation project for about 20 years at my diving resort on Pulau Perhentian in Terengganu.

“Having enjoyed spending so much time in nature, it saddens me to see rubbish in the waters,” she said, adding that she was also a licensed diving instructor.

“If we do not reduce our bad habits, our children and grandchildren will be living on top of landfills.

“There are already properties in the Klang Valley that are built on top of former landfills,” Hwang pointed out.

She said that after the two-day bazaar, she started to think of new goals for herself.

“A shop did not cross my mind initially, as I have a lot of commitments, which included looking after my teenage children, the resort and the turtle conservation project,” she said.

“Then I talked to my supplier who manufactures the cleaning liquids, and they wanted to partner with me on this endeavour.

“Ipoh had yet to have a refill store at the time, so the timing was right.”

Hwang said she was working on another project named “Hungry Room”.

“It is related to zero waste and still a work in progress.

“I have carved out a space in the shop to make foodstuff such as fruit jams, ice-cream, broth or paste from unsold vegetables and fruits that I collect or buy at a bargain price,” she said.

She is also working towards becoming a social enterprise.

“To be one, we need to be in business for half a year.

“We also have to be at least 65% profitable to allow us to be sustainable.

“The remaining 35% will be tied in with community projects, which for us is single plastic-use reduction,” she added.

Hwang said Ipoh folk were quite interested in the idea of buying cleaning product refills.

“It is still a bit slow moving but we are hopeful of reaching out to more people and spreading awareness, including to those in neighbouring shops.”

She said there was also a trolley placed outside the shop to collect used plastic or glass bottles and jars.

“If you want to send in unused bottles and jars, ensure that the items are cleaned first.

“Those that are in good shape will be reused by customers, while the rest will be sent for recycling,” added Hwang.