Volunteer Beach Cleanup, Pantai Morib Baharu.

Volunteer Beach Cleanup, Pantai Morib Baharu. 

On September 16th, The Body Shop Malaysia participated in the Ocean Conservancy’s 32nd International Coastal Cleanup to curb the presence and influx of marine litter in Banting. This was the 23rd year that The Body Shop has taken part in the world’s most widespread single-day volunteer effort to clean up garbage from local water bodies and waterways. 

For the first time, The Body Shop Malaysia collaborated with Majlis Daerah Kuala Langat, MDKL on 16th September 2017 to clean Pantai Morib Baharu in Banting, Selangor. The event was officiated by the councillor of MDKL, Mr Fazly Razaly accompanied by the director of MDKL, Tuan Hj Arpaaii Bin Hj Sanat. To hype the event, volunteers from German Malaysian Institute, Kolej Komuniti Kuala Langat, iM4U, Lightbulb Apparel and the public participated in this event. 

This participation reinforces The Body Shop’s commitment to sustainability and using business as a force for good, especially in accordance with its recent global CSR strategy, “Enrich Not Exploit”, a reaffirmation of the ethical principles the company was founded on: enriching its products, its people and its planet, and standing up for what is right. 

Datin Mina Cheah-Foong, Managing Director of The Body Shop Malaysia, said, “We're not just picking up trash to make the beach look clean. The main purpose of this is to pick up trash to keep it from blowing back out to the water and harm marine life. We have to realise the impact of trash and should be conscious about what will happen to trash if it’s not thrown away properly. The primary goal is to keep items from entering waterways, educating the community, and getting people outside to see the waste. In line with this new commitment that we have embarked on, we are even more committed to enriching our planet in every way possible.”

Datin Mina added that, “For us, being truly sustainable means shaping our business to work in line with the planet’s natural systems so they can replenish and restore themselves. Therefore, keeping our local waterways, beaches, lakes and rivers clean is not just for one day a year. It has to be done continuously.”

Volunteers have collected an amazing total of 1,432.30 kilograms (3157 pounds) of trash at Pantai Morib Baharu, Banting! Among the trash collected, some out of the ordinary findings such as a small refrigerator, umbrella, florescent light tube, pipes, ritual garlands and other common trash. To encourage volunteers to gather as much trash as possible and to make the cleanup interesting, a contest was held which allowed top 3 groups with heaviest trash collected to win prizes from The Body Shop. 

1,432.30 kilograms (3157 pounds) of trash at Pantai Morib Baharu, Banting

The cleanliness of our oceans plays a critical role on a global scale that cannot be overstressed. Ensuring that our oceans are not being treated as universal garbage disposals is one of the simplest ways to keep them clean and healthy. By being more mindful of the garbage we produce and actively taking part in beach cleanups, it is possible for everyone to contribute to the sustainable conservation of our oceans. 

Love Our Ocean~

The Body Shop® is committed to being an environmentally responsible retailer. We strive to ensure that our business activities will always contribute to the well being and aspirations of our current stakeholders without compromising the needs of future generations. We will apply best practice throughout our business activities, and take on a leadership role in areas where we can make a difference and set an example to our industry 

Ocean Conservancy educates and empowers citizens to take action on behalf of the ocean. From the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico to the halls of Congress, Ocean Conservancy brings people together to find solutions for our water planet. Informed by science, our work guides policy and engages people in protecting the ocean and its wildlife for future generations.