Article: Intel kickstarts recycling campaign

Monday June 22, 2009

INTEL Malaysia celebrated the World Environment Day 2009 by launching its Solid Waste Recycling Campaign 2009.

Themed 'From Land to Ocean: Our Commitment to the Environment', the annual campaign will see 28 NGOs and participating schools in Penang and Kulim collecting recyclable waste throughout the campaign period which is the whole year.

The proceeds from their efforts will then be donated back to them.

Intel Malaysia managing director Atul Bhargava said the World Environment Day was an important platform for the company to reinforce its commitment towards sustainable environmental initiatives.

"One of the many commitments that we hold on to is to incorporate environmental performance goals throughout our operations.

"In 2008, we became the largest purchaser of green power in the United States according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. It estimated that Intel's record purchase has the equivalent environmental impact of taking more than 185,000 cars off the road each year," he said in his speech at the launch of the campaign at its Bayan Lepas plant on Thursday.

He said this year marked the seventh consecutive year that the campaign was held.

"We have collected more than 200 tonnes of recyclable waste over the last two years," he said.

"Apart from that, we have also driven many other unique initiatives to continuously increase the awareness and build a culture of conservation which, I am proud to say, have received strong support from the community.

"Through our community-led Intel Mangrove Tree Planting programme, over 400 volunteers from Intel and various sections of the community have helped to plant 4,000 mangrove saplings last year to create a protective buffer zone for coastal areas," he said.

The company's other programmes include the Intel Malaysia Marine Conservation Programme where employees are encouraged to get together to save the turtles.

During the launch of the campaign, science exhibition booths were put up by schools.

Participants of last year's campaign received RM13,000 and 52 recycled laptops.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Metro: North 22 June 2009