Dow Chemical Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

Dow, together with key partners including EcoKnights and LifeLine Clothing Malaysia have launched Malaysia’s first used shoe recycling ecosystem in July 2022. The program repurposes used shoes into sports infrastructures including jogging tracks, playgrounds and fitness corners, hence diverting shoe waste away from landfills. The general public can drop off their shoes at any of the 30 shoe collection points across Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur and Johor. As of end October, more than 10,700 pairs of shoes have been collected.

The first playground with its surface refurbished using rubber shoe materials has been built in a school located at SK Bukit Tadom (A) in Banting, Selangor. The school caters to about 100 indigenous students. Additionally, the fabric tops from recycled shoes are being turned into protection padding mats for The National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM).

In supporting the autism community, Dow works with NASOM to continually engage people with autism at the urban farm which inculcates the values of sustainability, self-sustenance and independence to this community. Dow volunteers also participate regularly in the #PullingOurWeight litter pick program which recognized the value of plastic waste and that they should not be lost to the environment. Another long-term partner Dow works with is HOPEww Malaysia, involving youths in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) programs to the most recent mental wellness program for the B40 community.

Giving back to the community matters to Dow, and as a leading materials science company, we hope to inspire the community to think more sustainably and creatively.