Etika Powers Community-Led Waste Management in Semporna

Semporna’s stunning blue waters are famous for diving and island getaways, but they’ve also been struggling with a growing problem: plastic pollution. Now, a new partnership between Etika Sdn Bhd, Reef Check Malaysia (RCM), and the Malaysian Recycling Alliance (MAREA) is stepping in to make real change.

The trio just launched the Semporna Waste Management Program, a pilot initiative in Kg Sri Aman that aims to build a fully functional, community-based waste management system. Basically, it’s about helping locals take charge of their waste, and making sure it doesn’t end up in the sea.

???? “Through this collaboration, we aim to support an effective and practical solution to a real community challenge,” said Santharuban Thurai Sundram, CEO of Etika Group of Companies. “Sustainability efforts must include the people most affected, and this project provides an opportunity for us to work directly with local stakeholders to create meaningful, long-term impact.”

It’s a big move for Semporna, where years of poor waste management have hurt both the local community and marine life. The goal? By 2028, every one of Kg Sri Aman’s 99 households will have proper waste bins, and 90% of them will be separating their waste. The team is also aiming to divert over 10,000 kilograms of trash from the environment.

The initiative isn’t just about cleaning up, it’s about empowerment. Locals will be trained, employed, and supported to become waste collectors and coordinators. Recyclable materials will be sent to proper facilities, and any profits made will go straight back into community projects.

???? Reef Check Malaysia’s Programme Manager, Adzmin Fatta, said it best: “The Kg Sri Aman project highlights the importance of structured waste management policies and community-based implementation. By piloting a practical system at the local level, it provides a model that can inform government strategies, support regulatory frameworks, and guide future programmes in other communities facing similar challenges.”

Even the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) is on board, calling it a crucial step in sustainable development. They emphasized how it protects the environment while empowering locals, a win-win for both nature and people.

???? “Beyond addressing waste management challenges, it directly supports the preservation of the natural beauty and biodiversity that make Sabah a world-renowned tourism destination,” said KePKAS. “This partnership lays a strong foundation for future eco-tourism and conservation-led initiatives across the State.”

With support from Semporna District Council, KePKAS, and other local agencies, the project could become the blueprint for how Malaysian coastal communities fight back against waste.

At its core, this initiative proves that sustainability isn’t just about recycling — it’s about community, collaboration, and ownership.

Etika, RCM, and MAREA are betting that when locals lead the way, change sticks — and the oceans stay blue for generations to come. ????????