Established in 2022, Mindful Zero Waste began its journey as a distributor of solid shampoo soaps, gradually expanding its offerings to encompass a wide range of zero waste products.Founded with the aim of promoting a zero waste lifestyle in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia, Mindful Zero Waste has since evolved into a robust business dedicated to fostering sustainable practices within the local community.

As a passionate advocate for zero waste living, business owner, and content creator, I have embraced online platforms to promote and operate my business effectively. Mindful Zero Waste maintains active social media profiles on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and XiaoHongShu, allowing us to connect with individuals and spread awareness about sustainable living practices. Additionally, our online shops operate seamlessly through WhatsApp Business and Shopee Malaysia, ensuring accessibility and convenience for our customers.

While our online presence remains robust, Mindful Zero Waste also actively participates in local offline events, including artisan markets and educational pop-ups. We have established partnerships with local artisanal studios, salons, and solo distributors to consign our products, further expanding our reach within the community.

The inception of Mindful Zero Waste was rooted in a simple yet powerful mission: to promote zero waste living in Miri. Despite the city's designation as a green city in 2005 (Ho et al., 2012, l. 1), there are lack of significant progress by the city council towards achieving this goal until recent years (Ringgit, 2024) (Mahadi, 2023) (Choo, 2023). While the Miri City Council has implemented measures such as "Say No to Plastic " and “Say No to Styrofoam” banning single-use polystyrene packaging at eateries (Mayor Message, n.d., para. 4), there remains much to be done in addressing issues such as water pollution, open burning, landfill waste, and single-use plastics in the community (Ho et al., 2012b, para. 9) (Smart World Sustainability (SWS) Curtin Malaysia, 2021) (Sidi, 2019) (Liong et al., 2021).

While various private sectors and corporations have made commendable efforts towards sustainability (Hassan, 2021) (Rantayy, 2023) (Raphael, 2023), there remains a disconnect between these initiatives and the wider community. Many individuals are unaware of the significance of these efforts and do not perceive them as relevant to their daily lives (DayakDaily, 2020) (Then, 2019).

Mindful Zero Waste aims to bridge this gap by serving as a conduit between the community, local authorities, and corporations, with a focus on addressing environmental issues aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12 and 13.

SDG 12 focuses on responsible consumption and production, while SDG 13 addresses climate action (Goal 12 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs, n.d.) (Goal 13 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs, n.d.). Mindful Zero Waste integrates these goals into its business practices through various strategies:

1. Zero Waste Packaging: We implement zero waste packaging for product deliveries and checkouts, refusing single-use plastics and utilizing compostable materials where necessary. Every product has a smaller environmental impact the more times it is used (United Nations Environment Programme, 2021). By refusing the use of single-use plastic flyers and reusing bubble wraps, we aim to minimize our environmental footprint and promote sustainable packaging practices.

2. Compostable and Reusable Products: Products can become waste for a variety of reasons, such as being made for single use, failing as a product, or becoming antiquated or out of style or technology (Awasthi et al., 2021). We offer a curated selection of compostable and reusable products, promoting responsible consumption and waste reduction. Our product range includes items such as linen soap nets, bamboo cotton facial rounds, and cotton sanitary pads, all of which are designed to easily decompose in home compost systems.

3. Natural Solid Cleaning Products: The UN's 17 sustainable development goals for environmental protection can be met by herbal soaps made of plant-based renewable resources according to the green chemistry principle. These goals include the development of clean energy, good health, sustainable community development, ensuring a safe life, and providing high-quality water (Chirani et al., 2021). Mindful Zero Waste prioritizes natural solid soap cleaning products without excessive packaging, to reduce plastic bottle usage in regular liquid cleaning products. Our range of natural soap cleaning products offers effective cleaning solutions while minimizing environmental impact.

4. Locally Sourced Products: There is pressure from stakeholders to lessen adverse environmental effects as a result of the extensive use of the logistics and transportation network, which is primarily dependent on fossil fuels and produces a high output of carbon emissions (Herold & Lee, 2017). We include locally sourced products in our inventory to reduce carbon emissions from logistics, support local producers, and promote the use of local materials. For example, our Engkabang Body Bar series features "tree butter," a local ingredient sourced and manufactured by local soap makers, reducing the need for imported ingredients, and supporting local economies.

5. Textile Mending and Upcycling Services: Mindful Zero Waste provides textile mending and upcycling services to promote the reuse and prolong the lifespan of textiles. Textile wastes with blends of different fibers make recycling more difficult and occasionally impossible (Celep et al., 2023), making reuse and upcycling essential strategies for reducing textile waste and minimizing environmental impact.

6. Upcycled Textile Handicrafts: We offer upcycled textile handicrafts to promote local artisanal products and repurpose textiles. Our range of upcycled products includes items such as bags, accessories, and home decor, all handcrafted from reclaimed textiles, reducing waste, and supporting local artisans.

Looking ahead, Mindful Zero Waste is committed to expanding its impact within the community. Future plans include establishing a physical refill shop, producing products locally to reduce reliance on imports, and initiating community projects such as community gardens and educational talks. The possibilities for collaboration and positive change are endless, and Mindful Zero Waste remains open to partnerships and opportunities to further advance its mission of promoting sustainable living in Miri and beyond.

References

Awasthi, A., Cheela, V. R. S., D’Adamo, I., Iacovidou, E., Islam, M., Johnson, M., Miller, T. R., Parajuly, K., Parchomenko, A., Radhakrishan, L., Min, Z., Zhang, C., & Li, J. (2021). Zero waste approach towards a sustainable waste management. Resources, Environment and Sustainability, 3, 100014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resenv.2021.100014

Celep, G., Tetik, G. D., & Yılmaz, F. (2023). Limitations of Textile Recycling: The Reason behind the Development of Alternative Sustainable Fibers. In IntechOpen eBooks. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.105118

Chirani, M. R., Kowsari, E., Teymourian, T., & Ramakrishnac, S. (2021). Environmental impact of increased soap consumption during COVID-19 pandemic: Biodegradable soap production and sustainable packaging. National Library of Medicine National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149013

Choo, J. (2023, February 13). Miri the first in Sarawak to adopt smart city initiative. Borneo SDG Summit 2023. https://borneosdgsummit.org/miri-the-first-in-sarawak-to-adopt-smart-city-initiative/

DayakDaily. (2020, December 22). MCC could save millions in waste management if people reduce daily waste. DayakDaily. https://dayakdaily.com/mcc-could-save-millions-in-waste-management-if-people-reduce-daily-waste/

Goal 12 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs: Goals 12 Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. (n.d.). United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal12

Goal 13 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs: Goals 13 Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. (n.d.). United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal13

Hassan. (2021, February 20). Miri girl guides join global push to reduce plastic usage. Borneo Post Online. https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/02/21/miri-girl-guides-join-global-push-to-reduce-plastic-usage/

Herold, D. M., & Lee, K. H. (2017). Carbon management in the logistics and transportation sector: an overview and new research directions. Carbon Management, 8(1), 79–97. https://doi.org/10.1080/17583004.2017.1283923

Ho, P., Lew, T. Y., Goi, C. L., Wu, M., Tang, F. E., Tan, C. K., Motalebi, F., & Ho, C. (2012a). Sustainable Development: A case study of Miri City using the Low Carbon Cities Framework (LCCF). Curtin Insight Article. https://news.curtin.edu.my/insight/2012-2/sustainable-development-a-case-study-of-miri-city-using-the-low-carbon-cities-framework-lccf/

Ho, P., Lew, T. Y., Goi, C. L., Wu, M., Tang, F. E., Tan, C. K., Motalebi, F., & Ho, C. (2012b). Sustainable Development: A case study of Miri City using the Low Carbon Cities Framework (LCCF). Curtin Insight Article. https://news.curtin.edu.my/insight/2012-2/sustainable-development-a-case-study-of-miri-city-using-the-low-carbon-cities-framework-lccf/

Liong, R. M. Y., Hadibarata, T., Yuniarto, A., Tang, K. H. D., & Khamidun, M. H. (2021). Microplastic occurrence in the water and sediment of Miri River Estuary, Borneo Island. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 232(8). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-021-05297-8

Mahadi, N. (2023, July 18). Lee: Innovation, new approaches the way to realise vision for Miri to be liveable resort city. Borneo Post Online. https://www.theborneopost.com/2023/07/18/lee-innovation-new-approaches-the-way-to-realise-vision-for-miri-to-be-liveable-resort-city/

Mayor message: Introduction of Miri City. (n.d.). Official Website of Miri City Council. https://miricouncil.gov.my/web/subpage/webpage_view/48

Rantayy, B. (2023, March 12). 250 participants remove 2,363kg of trash from Miri beach. DayakDaily. https://dayakdaily.com/250-participants-remove-2363kg-in-trash-from-miri-beach/#:~:text=250%20participants%20remove%202%2C363kg%20of%20trash%20from%20Miri%20beach,-Mar%2012%2C%202023&text=The%20event%20gathered%20250%20volunteers,praised%20NSJA%20for%20its%20effort.

Raphael, J. (2023, December 21). Miri’s EcoBrick Project gains entry into Malaysia Book of Records. Borneo Post Online. https://www.theborneopost.com/2023/12/21/miris-ecobrick-project-gains-entry-into-malaysia-book-of-records/

Ringgit, M. (2024, January 27). Car-Free Day focuses on greener, happier city | New Sarawak Tribune. New Sarawak Tribune. https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/car-free-day-focuses-on-greener-happier-city/

Sidi, K. (2019, May 12). Open burning by pineapple farmers causes haze in Sarawak. NST Online. https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/05/487777/open-burning-pineapple-farmers-causes-haze-sarawak

Smart World Sustainability (SWS) Curtin Malaysia. (2021). Consumption, waste generation and recycling practices in Miri amid COVID-19 and the future. Curtin Insight Article. https://news.curtin.edu.my/insight/2021-2/consumption-waste-generation-and-recycling-practices-in-miri-amid-covid-19-and-the-future/

Then, S. (2019, November 28). Ugly habit leads to dirty works. The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2018/07/17/ugly-habit-leads-to-dirty-works-solving-miris-river-pollution-may-require-workers-to-haul-up-waste

United Nations Environment Programme. (2021, November 23). How to reduce the impacts of single-use plastic products. UNEP. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/how-reduce-impacts-single-use-plastic-products