Corporations join hands to help save Belum-Temengor Rainforest

The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) received a RM34,290 boost towards their on-going efforts to protect the Belum-Temengor Rainforest.

The contribution was as a result of the ‘Protect the Rainforest’ campaign, a joint collaboration by Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Nestlé (Malaysia) Berhad and Tetra Pak (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

In total 240,005 beverage packets weighing 3,429 kilograms were collected for recycling through this campaign. For every kilogram collected, Tesco, Nestlé and Tetra Pak contributed RM 10 (collectively) to be donated to the MNS.

The beverage packet recycling campaign, held in October, was aimed at enhancing the awareness among the Malaysian public about the importance of preserving our natural rainforest, specifically the Belum-Temengor Rainforest and at the same time increase the awareness of beverage packet recycling.

Present to hand over the cheque to Mr. Andrew Sebastian, Head of Communications of MNS, were En. Azlam Shah Alias, Government Relations and Legal Affairs Director, Tesco Malaysia, Mr Teo Heng Keat, Business Unit Manager, NestléLiquid Drinks and Ms Terrynz Tan, Communications and Environment Director, Tetra Pak (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (see pic below).



According to Sebastian, the Belum-Temengor rainforest is a hilly mountainous region straddling the Main Range of Peninsular Malaysia. It is currently the largest tract of unprotected natural forest that is rich in bio-diversity. It is also home to some of Asia’s most treasured flora and fauna such as the magnificent hornbill, the Malayan tiger and the Sumatran rhinoceros. Although the Royal Belum State Park is legally protected, illegal wildlife hunting and logging threatens its existence and its occupants, be it plants or animals. He stressed that educational, awareness and proactive measures remain MNS’ priority to ensure the Belum-Temengor Rainforest is well protected.

Echoing his sentiments, Tan of Tetra Pak said, “Every little thing we do for the sake of our environment can go a long way. The environment is an integral part of our core business operation, and in line with our motto, “PROTECTS WHAT’S GOOD”™, this collaboration is an extension of our commitment towards preserving the environment. That is why we ensure that materials utilised to create our Tetra Pak packets are sourced from well-managed and certified forests. We are pleased to be able to collaborate with Tesco Stores and Nestlé Malaysia to further our environmental cause,” said Tan.

En Azlam Shah of Tesco Stores Malaysia shared that this campaign has evoked a positive recycling habit among customers. “More customers are starting to consider the environment when they shop and bring in carton boxes, newspapers and plastic bottles for recycling. Tesco has very strong green initiatives programmes. We have 8recycling collection centres today and we plan to build recycling facilities at all our future stores. At stores, we have achieved a total of more than 30 million kg of carton boxes from our daily operations since 2006,” said En Azlam.

As part of the campaign’s initiative to encourage public action, Nestlé Malaysia also organized a redemption programme. Consumers received a packet of MILO UHT 250ml in return for every 10 Nestlé beverage packets they brought in for recycling. “This simple redemption programme proved to be success in encouraging the public to recycle their beverage packets. Out of the total beverage packets collected 70% were Nestle branded. We are truly excited by the support shown by the public throughout this campaign and we hope this will encourage a sense of responsibility to adopt recycling as a long term habit,” stressed Teo.

The cheque presentation to MNS took place in SHA Paper Mill Sdn Bhd in Shah Alam, where Mr Lim Eng Lee, General Manager-Operations explained how the used beverage packets undergo a hydropulping process and are then recycled to produce other useful paper products such as box boards, office stationeries, paper bags, paper towels, envelopes, egg trays and many more. Mr. Lim stressed that Tetra Pak packets are 100% recyclable and the fibre recovered from Tetra Pak packets are of high quality.


Giving the thumbs up for recycling at the SHA Paper Mill in Shah Alam

Delightful Christmas Treats from BreadTalk®

The time of joy is in the air, as children and adults alike are caught up in the holiday mood and the flurry of festive year-end celebrations. Come celebrate this festive period with the warm smell of freshly baked breads and delight your loved ones with delicately crafted festive cakes featuring fantastical winter landscapes and irresistible mini Santas brought exclusively to you from BreadTalk®.

ENCHANTING CAKES FOR A FESTIVE TIME

From top to bottom: Blackforest Star, Chantilly Snow,The Chocolate Logs, from RM65 – RM69 each.

Day or night, Chantilly Snow will bring out the sparkle in your loved ones’ smiles with the adorable Santa and Mr. Snowman peeking out between succulent strawberries and mini pine trees. Enfolded within a snowy white edible “landscape” is a delightful vanilla chiffon cake with mixed fruits.

This season of twinkling stars, indulge in the romance of rich chocolate chiffon paired with luscious dark cherries. With its succulent strawberries and chocolate stars, Blackforest Star is a must-have for cake connoisseurs and chocolate lovers alike.

No Yuletide season is ever complete without a chocolate log. The Chocolate Logs lends the distinctive BreadTalk® twist to a well-loved classic. Melt-in-your-mouth smooth chocolate mousse is encased in a traditional fluffy-soft chocolate chiffon and topped with a glaze of rich velvety chocolate ganache.

From left: Fruity Snow, Merry Brownie, RM5.50 each.

BreadTalk®’s richly baked homemade fruit cake and decadent walnut brownie are ideal tokens of appreciation to your loved ones, or a indulgent pairing with your favourite hot drink for that relaxing December afternoon.

ENTICING BUNS FOR A SCRUMPTIOUS SEASON
Delight your senses with BreadTalk®’s tantalising Christmas themed breads and pastries, from RM2.80 – RM3.20 each. With a magical selection to choose from, there is definitely something for all in the family.

A creamy custard filling enrobed in a soft bun, Custard Choc Noel is drenched with delicious chocolate and is sure to have you carolling for more!



Amp up the holiday cheer factor with Happy Tree, a bun featuring the yummy-licious mix of chocolate chips and dry mixed fruits such as healthy raisins and blueberries. A surefire hit at gatherings, this is one bun that will make you the talk of any celebration!



Brace yourself for squeals of delight from little ones and grown-ups alike when the adorable Snowman takes centre stage. A light mixed fruit bun cradled within a silky white chocolate casing, Snowman’s cheerful chocolate smile is crowned with a solid chocolate top hat.



Succumb to the temptation of custard cream enfolded within a light, soft bun in this Winter Wonderland. A perfect snack for any time of the day.



Holly Jolly combines the best of a chewy, airy bun with a crisp golden ‘bo luo’ topping. Capping off the lovable button nose and chocolate chip eyes is a sweet strawberry cocoa icing that is guaranteed to leave you hankering for more.


BreadTalk®’s Christmas treats are back in town until 31 December 2010! So hurry now to your nearest BreadTalk outlet! For enquiries, please call 03-2141 3028 or email Ms. Denise Ker at denise.ker.my@breadtalk.com.

Yeo's Celebrates Chrysanthemum Tea Month

For more than 40 years, Yeo’s Chrysanthemum Tea has been synonymous with social gatherings, wedding celebrations and festivals where family and friends come together in celebration.

In celebration of this nostalgia-tinged journey that has fostered relationships over the years and in encouragement of its continuity, Yeo Hiap Seng (Malaysia) Berhad (Yeo’s) declared the month of November 2010 as Yeo’s Chrysanthemum Tea Month at its official launch held at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara recently.

Official launch of the Yeo's Chrysanthemum Tea Month

Yeo’s Chrysanthemum Tea Month kicked-off with an enlightening chit-chat session with Mr. Vincent Chui, General Manager – Marketing of Yeo Hiap Seng (Malaysia) Berhad (Yeo’s), Mr. Paul Jambunathan, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Sunway Medical Centre and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Dr. Loh Ki Ho, President of the Malaysian Association of Traditional Chinese Naturopathy.

The panel shared their views on the significance of Yeo’s Chrysanthemum Tea Month and the interactive activities that Yeo’s had in store for families and friends this month.

Yeo’s Vincent Chui said, “We also chose November as Yeo’s Chrysanthemum Tea Month in celebration of chrysanthemum as the Birth Month Flower of November and the flower’s association to cheerfulness and optimism as aligned to Yeo’s significant tagline, “Lead a Joyful Life”. We believe that Yeo’s Chrysanthemum Tea has certainly brought people closer in celebration of togetherness, joy and health over the last 40years, and we hope to see this carrying on for a long time coming.”

Yeo’s Chrysanthemum Tea is made from the finest natural chrysanthemum flowers known as Chrysanthemum Morifolium from Hangzhou, China - the best chrysanthemum flower in the nation and grown in a high quality controlled environment. The tea is processed through the Ultra Heat Treatment (UHT) technology to retain its natural taste and nutritional content with no added preservatives or flavouring.

“Yeo’s Chrysanthemum Tea is the perfect drink with natural goodness which can be enjoyed on-the-go. So, let’s rekindle memories and establish togetherness during this special month of November in celebration of Yeo’s Chrysanthemum Tea Month with a cup of Yeo’s Chrysanthemum Tea,” added Chui.

Paul Jambunathan, Consultant Clinical Psychologist from Sunway Medical Centre and expert on adult and child psychology, shared his expertise on how we can continue to tighten ties with family and friends amidst hectic lifestyles.

“Chrysanthemums require adequate sunlight and water plus nutrition-rich soil in order to grow beautifully. In the same way, the immediate family forms the primary environment that families need in order to develop and produce well-balanced individuals. As the Chrysanthemum is a product of its 'growth ingredients', which in turn has a positive effect on others, the child is a symptom of his primary environment and it will have an effect on his health and society,” Paul said.

“The bond between family members can be strengthened through fostering openness at home. In addition, Malaysians should ensure the quality of family interactions in the form of meaningful conversations and all-inclusive activities that involve participation from the entire family,” he added.

Sharing the historical significance of chrysanthemum, Dr Loh Ki Ho, President of the Malaysian Association of Traditional Chinese Naturopathy said, “The ancient Chinese revered the chrysanthemum flower as one of the ‘Four Noble Ones’ which represent the four seasons. Blooming in its full glory during autumn, the chrysanthemum is the Flower of November and also symbolises happiness, optimism and joy. The Chinese believed that chrysanthemum brings laughter, long life and happiness in families.

“Chrysanthemum tea has always been a highly popular flower tea due to its sweet fragrance, refreshing taste and ease of preparation. Regarded as an ideal aid for detoxification in Traditional Chinese Medicine, chrysanthemum tea is known to alleviate ‘body heat’ and toxic materials accumulated in the body. Prolonged moderate drinking of the tea is known to be beneficial to the liver and eyes. Getting together with family and friends over cups of soothing chrysanthemum tea has been a healthy cornerstone of Asian culture for many generations,” he added.

As part of the festivity, a host of interactive consumer activities were held on Nov 13 and Nov 14 at the Centre Court at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara.

(Pic left): Children aged from seven to 12 years showed off their innovative outfits during the Yeo’s Joyful Runway Fashion Contest. The outfits were decorated with chrysanthemum flowers using natural elements in line with the contest’s yellow and pink theme. The Yeo’s Joyful Colouring Contest was divided into two age categories where the young artists showcased their talents with coloured pencils, crayons, water or poster colour.

The prizes for both the contests included Education Scholarships ranging from RM100 to RM300, a Canon Digital Camera, Yeo’s Goodie Bag, a Joyful Trophy, a Yeo’s Certification of Achievement and free subscription of Bintang Kecil magazine.

The Yeo’s Joyful Chrysanthemum Moments (Joyful Studio) contest in collaboration with Canon Marketing (Malaysia) Marketing Sdn Bhd captured joyful moments of consumers. The photo that best illustrates the mood, “Show The Joy, Share The Joy” will be declared the winner via phone call. The first prize winner will receive a Canon Digital Camera.

Talented students from Taylor’s University – School of Architecture, Building and Design built a replica of the Twin Towers Malaysia using Chrysanthemum Tetra Brik packages in the Yeo’s Joyful Structural Build initiative (pic left). As a token of appreciation, the ‘building crew’ each received a Yeo’s goodie bag and Certificates of Appreciation.

In the Yeo’s Chrysanthemum Info Section (Mini Exhibition) visitors learned the distinctive heritage and production process of Yeo’s Chrysanthemum Tea beverages manufactured since 1967 and how the once home-cooked chrysanthemum tea was turned into a good, healthy as home-cooked beverage in a pack.

Other interactive activities included family entertainment activities such as the Family Creative Fashion Dress-up with Yeo’s Chrysanthemum Tea using tetra brik paper, mime, clown, face painting and games.

Kids Collect 1.6 Million Beverage Cartons for Recycling

An astounding 1.6 million used beverage cartons was the grand total collected by primary school students in a keenly contested beverage recycling competition among chools across the Klang Valley. This incredible achievement marked a fitting culmination of this year’s Nurture for Nature school programme organized by Tetra Pak (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

Running for the second year, the Nurture for Nature programme is an environment-focussed programme. It is aimed at instilling passion and nurturing a habit amongst young Malaysian students to be proactive on environmental issues by cultivating the practice of beverage carton recycling. The programme is also supported by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM).

Describing the magnitude of the number of cartons collected, Ms Terrynz Tan, Communications and Environment Director of Tetra Pak (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd said, “If we line up all the cartons in a straight line, it would line the streets from Kuala Lumpur all the way to Ipoh!”

Tan applauded the students’ dedication in collecting such a huge number of used beverage cartons and said it reflects the success of the Nurture for Nature programme. The enthusiasm of both students and teachers were evident by the cheers and thunderous applause that resounded as the winners of the beverage carton recycling competition were announced.

Students and teachers from the winning schools pose with their trophies, certificates and mock cheques.

SK Sri Kelana was declared the grand prize winner. The students who had worked relentlessly for the past six months to collect the most number of beverage cartons for recycling, proudly walked away with a cash prize of RM5,000 and a field trip for their Nature Rangers team.

Coming close in second place was SK Ampang Campuran and in third place, SK Cochrane Perkasa. They both took home RM 3,000 and RM 2,000 and also a trip for their Nature Rangers team respectively.

6 Kejora from SK Sri Kelana also received a special award and a trip as the classroom with the highest collection of beverage cartons throughout the duration of the programme and best SPOC (key teacher in charge) was awarded to Pn Ong Eng Too from SK Seksyen 9 Shah Alam.

“The environment is an integral part of our business operations, and in line with our motto, “PROTECTS WHAT’S GOOD”TM, this Nurture for Nature programme is an extension of our commitment towards the environment. We are very honoured to have on board the Ministry of Education and FRIM support us again this year to further our environmental cause,” explained Tan.

This year, the programme was extended to an additional 25 primary schools in Klang Valley compared to the maiden initiative last year, making it a total of 50 participating schools in 2010. “The increase in the number of schools caters to our children who are increasingly conscious of environmental challenges and recognise that they, regardless of their age, can play a part in conserving it!” said Tan excitedly.

Besides the beverage carton recycling contest, the core activities in the Nurture for Nature programme also included environmental talks. As a continuation from last year’s topic, “Recycling”, this year the subject matter was “Global Warming”.

Tetra Pak also assisted the 50 schools to set up a Tetra Pak Notice Board for students to read up on environmental issues and also track their progress in the contest. In addition, Tetra Pak also assisted the schools to set up a Nature Rangers team which comprises of 10 elected students to assist their teachers in the logistics of the beverage carton contest. They also functioned as motivators to encourage their peers to be more proactive about recycling.

According to Tuan Haji Mohd Anuar bin Abdul Hamid, Deputy Chief Director, Counselling and Discipline Management Sector & Daily School Management Department of the Ministry of Education, the Nurture for Nature programme is in line with the ministry’s effort to promote the 3R (reduce, reuse and recycle) concept especially in schools.

“We believe the formation of the Nature Rangers team will instil a sense of responsibility and team work amongst the students, and hope it will eventually become an extra-curricular society to allow more students to participate in environmental activities. We are aware that some schools have since set up their own eco-focus groups as a result of their involvement in last year’s programme. On behalf of the ministry, Tetra Pak and FRIM, we applaud their efforts!”

As a finale to this year’s Nurture for Nature, Tetra Pak also donated a total sum of RM 10,000 which will be channelled towards the maintenance of FRIM’s Environmental Education Centre (EEC). The EEC which was made a reality through Tetra Pak’s sponsorship last year was launched in June this year to serve as a strategic location for FRIM to organise talks, workshops and group activities for school children and the public. Tetra Pak also fitted the centre with recycling bins, stationeries and collaterals made from recycled beverage cartons.

Present to receive the donation on behalf of FRIM was Puan Norhayati Nordin, Head of Corporate Management. “FRIM is always seeking avenues and partners to implement environmental programmes especially for the young. It is imperative that children understand the environmental issues and learn to cultivate a sense of appreciation for our natural resources to ensure its continued existence for posterity. To complement Tetra Pak’s recycling activity, FRIM will, in 2011, institute efforts to reduce the use of polystyrene and encourage the use of environmentally friendly alternatives in its cafeteria,” said Norhayati.

FRIM's Puan Norhayati Nordin (left) receiving the mock cheque from Tetra Pak's Ms Terrynz Tan.

Echoing Tetra Pak’s sentiments, Norhayati stressed the importance for children to embrace their role as champions for Mother Earth. “Regardless of our age, every single one of us can do something and contribute towards the conservation and preservation of our environment,” concluded Norhayati.


The kids won a trip to the SHA Paper Mill in Shah Alam to witness the beverage carton recycling process and a trip to the Skytrex Adventure Park in Bukit Cahaya (Pic left and below).