- From refilling and returning to everyday green habits, the initiative shows how small actions can create meaningful impact
- Backed by cross-sector partners, measurable event design and ASEAN Records recognition, Sayang Green demonstrates how sustainability can be applied at scale
KUALA LUMPUR, 16 January 2026 – Sayang Green 2026, a three-day sustainability showcase held from 16 to 18 January at IPC Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya, was built on a simple idea: sustainability works best when it is easy, accessible and affordable. Initiated and organised by 180 Degrees Brandcom, the event moved beyond awareness to encourage Malaysians to take small, practical steps towards more sustainable daily habits.
Recent studies show that Malaysia ranks highest among 109 countries in dietary microplastic intake[1], with tiny plastic particles now commonly found in what we eat, particularly fish, which forms a key part of the Malaysian diet. This highlights how plastic waste has moved beyond landfills and oceans and into the food chain. At the same time, Malaysia is reported to generate an estimated 39,000 tonnes of solid waste every day, while recording one of the highest carbon dioxide emissions per capita in the region, highlighting how everyday consumption and lifestyle choices are placing increasing pressure on the environment[2],[3].
Sayang Green responds to this growing urgency by shifting the conversation from why sustainability matters to how Malaysians can act today, encouraging small and practical switches in everyday habits that can reduce waste at the source.
“Sustainability is no longer a distant issue; it’s already part of our daily reality,” said Mr. Chan Fong, Founder of 180 Degrees Brandcom and initiator of Sayang Green. “Sayang Green was created to make a greener living feel doable. It’s not about changing everything overnight, but about empowering people to start with simple switches that fit naturally into everyday Malaysian life.”
Making Green Choices Easier Through Collaboration
Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad, a key partner of Sayang Green, supports the initiative by showcasing how Virtual Credit Cards can enable greener everyday behaviour by removing the need for plastic cards altogether. By eliminating card production and delivery, Virtual Credit Cards help reduce material use and associated carbon emissions, while still offering a convenient and secure way for consumers to manage everyday spending. “At Alliance Bank, we believe that sustainability becomes more effective when it fits naturally into how people already live and bank,” said Ms. Gan Pai Li, Group Chief Consumer Banking Officer of Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad. “As The Bank For Life, we focus on making sustainable choices practical and accessible in everyday banking by harnessing innovation and technology. Solutions such as the Virtual Credit Card help reduce reliance on plastic cards and paper and provide customers with a more seamless and secure payment experience. Through collaborations with like‑minded organisations, we are proud to play our part in helping Malaysians embrace sustainable practices in their daily lives.
From sustainable materials to circular design, partners play an active role in demonstrating how greener alternatives can work in real life. “Sustainability is not just about choosing a ‘green’ material, but about how products are designed, structured and used over time,” said Mr. Ji Ken Loo, Managing Director of De Carton. “Through Sayang Green, we want people to experience how well-designed cardboard structures can replace single-use setups, reduce waste and still be practical, durable and visually engaging in everyday spaces.”
Designing Sustainability with Measurable Impact
Beyond showcasing greener alternatives, Sayang Green also applies sustainability at the event design level, with measurable impact. The event’s carbon footprint was calculated in accordance with ISO 14064-1, with total emissions recorded at 12.56 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) within the defined project boundary.
As part of its carbon management approach, Sayang Green adopted cardboard-based event structures, which are lighter, modular and highly recyclable. Compared to conventional plywood setups of the same scale, this approach could potentially reduce overall project emissions by up to three to four times, by lowering transport, construction and disposal-related emissions. The decision reflects Sayang Green’s focus on practical, achievable carbon reduction through smarter design choices.
ASEAN Records Recognition for Sustainable Event Design
During the launch, Sayang Green 2026 was formally recognised by the ASEAN Records, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability through design, infrastructure and execution.
Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad, as the partner of Sayang Green, was recognised by ASEAN Records for achieving the First Consumer Bazaar Designed with Environmentally Friendly Principles Applied Uniformly Across All Functional Zones. The recognition reflects the consistent application of sustainability principles across the planning, design and execution of the entire event experience.
In addition, De Carton was officially listed in ASEAN Records as the First ESG Consumer Bazaar Constructed Using Recyclable Cardboard-Based Event Infrastructure, Planned Around Circular Economy Principles, Supplied by a Single Provider. The recognition highlights the use of recyclable cardboard structures across the event’s infrastructure, demonstrating how sustainable materials can be applied at scale without compromising functionality or design.
Together, the recognitions underscore how collaboration between brands, designers and platforms can turn sustainability from intention into tangible, real-world application.
A Shared Space for Everyday Sustainable Living
Hosted at IPC Shopping Centre, Sayang Green brings sustainability into a shared space Malaysians already visit as part of their daily life, reinforcing the idea that greener habits can start anywhere.
“Shopping centres are shared spaces where daily routines happen,” said Ms. Karyn Lim, General Manager of IPC Shopping Centre. “By hosting Sayang Green at IPC, sustainability becomes something families can experience together, making it more relatable, inclusive and easier to adopt as a habit.”
Turning Awareness into Action
Sayang Green 2026 features a series of on-ground activations, workshops and partner-led experiences designed to encourage hands-on participation and simple habit changes.
Visitors can explore clean energy solutions from Plus Xnergy, with on-site information on flexible payment options, including up to 36-month instalment plans in collaboration with Alliance Bank. Responsible consumption is brought to life through battery return mechanics by Elexer, which encourage visitors to dispose of used batteries responsibly in exchange for discounts on Elexer rechargeable batteries.
Everyday household switches are also highlighted through special event offers by Earthya, while daily hygiene routines are addressed through promotional pricing and purchase-with-gift initiatives by ZP. ReadyCare showcases environmentally friendlier home and personal care practices, featuring refill-and-return mechanics that demonstrate how small habit changes can be easily adopted.
The experience is further complemented by NatureLoop, where visitors can participate in creating functional items from recycled plastic, reinforcing circular-economy principles through creativity and design.
Beyond products, sustainability is also explored at the community and urban level. Gamuda Land showcases how ESG principles are integrated into township development through the Gamuda Green Plan, highlighting the role of sustainable planning in shaping liveable communities. Meanwhile, Blueshark brings clean mobility into the conversation by presenting its electric motorcycles, offering visitors a closer look at how electric transport can be part of everyday commuting through quieter, cleaner and more energy-efficient alternatives.
By focusing on low-friction participation and tangible experiences, Sayang Green demonstrates that greener living does not require perfection, but simply a willingness to start. Members of the public are invited to take part in Sayang Green 2026 and begin making small switches that contribute to a more sustainable future.
[1] The Star (2024). Retrieved from: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/06/05/our-alarming-plastic-diet
[2] The Star (2024). Retrieved from: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/01/02/39000-tonnes-of-solid-waste-daily
[3] Malaysia Population Research Hub. Retrieved from: https://mprh.lppkn.gov.my/malaysias-carbon-footprint/
