The Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) implements strategies under the National Cleanliness Policy. One such strategy is Strategy 3.2, “Generating Income (Waste to Money),” which encourages the creation of new products from recycled materials (upcycling). Generally, this policy boosts public awareness and fosters a culture of cleanliness and 3R practices while encouraging waste innovation as a source of income towards a circular economy.
In line with this concept, SWCorp signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Malaysia Design Council (MRM) on 17th December 2021, during the National Recycling Day (HKSK) 2021 celebration. This MoU marks a strategic collaboration between the two parties to promote Circular Design as a platform for environmental conservation and income generation for the community.
In this regard, SWCorp and MRM initiated the Waste to Wealth Innovation (WAWI) Design Competition 2023 to discover creative and innovative ideas from new designers and producers in Malaysia. The WAWI programme was introduced in 2021/2022 by MRM to encourage products that are beneficial to society.
WAWI is a proactive step aimed at increasing public and industry awareness of the potential of used and recycled materials as a commodity that generates income. This programme also supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12, which outlines the reduction of solid waste generation by 2030 through recycling activities, zero waste and effective waste management for sustainable development and environmental wellbeing.
The theme of the competition is “Aliran Fesyen Lestari “(Sustainable Fashion Trends). This theme was chosen to promote sustainability in fashion design through the application of the Circular Design concept and 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) practices.
The Aliran Fesyen Lestari (Sustainable Fashion Trends) theme was officially launched on 29 August 2022, by Yang Berhormat Senator Datuk Lim Ban Hong, former Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI), during the Symposium on Empowering Local Industries Through Circular Design and the Prize Giving Ceremony for the Waste to Wealth Innovation Design Competition 2021/2022 organised by MRM.
The Waste to Wealth Innovation Design Competition 2023 was officially launched at the 3R Family Appreciation Ceremony in conjunction with National Recycling Day (HKSK) 2022 at the Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Polytechnic in Pauh Putra, Arau, Perlis, on 3rd December 2022, by SWCorp Chairman, YBhg. Datuk Rizalman bin Dato’ Mokhtar.
The competition is divided into two categories: Community and Professional. The fashion designs contested include shirts, jackets, trousers, bags, accessories such as watches and bracelets, shoes, and hats. The competition ran from 1st January to 31st March 2023. A total of 421 entries were received, consisting of 308 entries for the Community category and 113 entries for the Professional category.