Sayang Green 2026 Brings Practical Sustainability to Everyday Life

19 January 2026

KUALA LUMPUR: Sayang Green 2026, a three-day sustainability showcase from 16 to 18 January at IPC Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya, is built on a simple idea: sustainability works best when it is easy, accessible and affordable.

Initiated and organised by 180 Degrees Brandcom, the event went beyond awareness to encourage Malaysians to take small, practical steps towards more sustainable everyday habits.

Recent studies show that Malaysia ranks highest among 109 countries for dietary microplastic intake, with tiny plastic particles now commonly found in food, particularly fish, which forms a key part of the Malaysian diet.

This underscores how plastic waste has moved beyond landfills and oceans and into the food chain. At the same time, Malaysia is estimated to generate around 39,000 tonnes of solid waste daily and records one of the highest per capita carbon dioxide emissions in the region, highlighting the growing environmental pressure caused by everyday consumption and lifestyle choices.

Sayang Green responded to this urgency by shifting the conversation from why sustainability matters to how Malaysians can take action today, encouraging simple, practical changes that can reduce waste at the source.

“Sustainability is no longer a distant issue; it is already part of our daily reality,” said Chan.

Making Green Choices Easier Through Collaboration Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad, a key partner of Sayang Green, supports the initiative by showcasing how Virtual Credit Cards can promote greener everyday behaviour by eliminating the need for physical plastic cards.

By removing card production and delivery, Virtual Credit Cards help reduce material use and associated carbon emissions, while still offering consumers a convenient and secure way to manage daily spending.

“At Alliance Bank, we believe sustainability becomes more effective when it fits naturally into how people already live and bank,” said Gan Pai Li, Group Chief Consumer Banking Officer of Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad.

“As The Bank For Life, we focus on making sustainable choices practical and accessible through innovation and technology. Solutions such as Virtual Credit Cards reduce reliance on plastic and paper while providing customers with a seamless and secure payment experience. Through collaborations with like-minded organisations, we are proud to help Malaysians embrace sustainable practices in their daily lives.”

From sustainable materials to circular design, event partners play an active role in demonstrating how greener alternatives can work in real-life settings.

“Sustainability is not just about choosing ‘green’ materials, but about how products are designed, structured and used over time,” said Ji Ken Loo, Managing Director of De Carton. “Through Sayang Green, we want people to experience how well-designed cardboard structures can replace single-use setups, reduce waste, and remain practical, durable and visually engaging.”

Designing Sustainability with Measurable Impact Beyond showcasing greener alternatives, Sayang Green also applies sustainability principles at the event design level, supported by measurable outcomes.

The event’s carbon footprint was calculated in accordance with ISO 14064-1, with total emissions recorded at 12.56 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) within the defined project boundary.

As part of its carbon management approach, Sayang Green adopted cardboard-based event structures that are lighter, modular and highly recyclable.

Compared with conventional plywood setups of a similar scale, this approach could potentially reduce overall project emissions by up to three to four times, by lowering transport, construction and disposal-related emissions.

The decision reflects Sayang Green’s focus on practical and achievable carbon reduction through smarter design choices.

ASEAN Records Recognition for Sustainable Event Design During the launch, Sayang Green 2026 received formal recognition from ASEAN Records, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability through design, infrastructure and execution.

Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad was recognised by ASEAN Records for achieving the First Consumer Bazaar Designed with Environmentally Friendly Principles Applied Uniformly Across All Functional Zones.

The recognition reflects the consistent application of sustainability principles throughout the planning, design and execution of the event.

In addition, De Carton was officially listed in ASEAN Records as the First ESG Consumer Bazaar Constructed Using Recyclable Cardboard-Based Event Infrastructure, Planned Around Circular Economy Principles, Supplied by a Single Provider.

The recognition highlights the large-scale use of recyclable cardboard structures without compromising functionality or design.

Together, these recognitions demonstrate how collaboration between brands, designers and platforms can turn sustainability from intention into tangible, real-world application.

A Shared Space for Everyday Sustainable Living Hosted at IPC Shopping Centre, Sayang Green brings sustainability into a shared space that Malaysians already frequent as part of their daily lives, reinforcing the idea that greener habits can start anywhere.

“Shopping centres are shared spaces where daily routines take place,” said Ms Karyn Lim, General Manager of IPC Shopping Centre. “By hosting Sayang Green at IPC, sustainability becomes something families can experience together, making it more relatable, inclusive and easier to adopt.”

Turning Awareness into Action Sayang Green 2026 features a series of on-ground activations, workshops and partner-led experiences designed to encourage hands-on participation and simple habit changes.

Visitors can explore clean energy solutions from Plus Xnergy, including on-site information on flexible payment options such as instalment plans of up to 36 months in collaboration with Alliance Bank.

Responsible consumption is highlighted through Elexer’s battery return programme, which encourages the proper disposal of used batteries in exchange for discounts on rechargeable alternatives.

Everyday household switches are promoted through special event offers by Earthya, while daily hygiene routines are addressed through promotional pricing and purchase-with-gift initiatives by ZP.

ReadyCare showcases environmentally friendlier home and personal care practices through refill-and-return mechanics that demonstrate how small behavioural changes can be easily adopted.

The experience is further enhanced by NatureLoop, where visitors can create functional items from recycled plastic, reinforcing circular economy principles through creativity and design.

Beyond products, sustainability is also explored at the community and urban levels. Gamuda Land showcases how ESG principles are integrated into township development through the Gamuda Green Plan, highlighting the role of sustainable planning in shaping liveable communities.

Meanwhile, Blueshark introduces clean mobility by presenting its electric motorcycles, offering visitors insight into quieter, cleaner and more energy-efficient commuting alternatives.

By focusing on low-friction participation and tangible experiences, Sayang Green demonstrates that greener living does not require perfection, but simply a willingness to start.

Members of the public are invited to take part in Sayang Green 2026 and begin making small changes that contribute to a more sustainable future.