BANDAR UTAMA: 1 Utama Shopping Centre has officially launched its Glass Recycling Campaign by introducing the mall’s first integrated glass recovery system for both its shoppers and retail mall tenants. This initiative reinforces 1 Utama’s position as Malaysia’s First Green Mall and the country’s first retail development to achieve the GreenRE Platinum rating, reflecting its leadership in environmental stewardship.
Since 1995, 1 Utama has championed industry-leading ESG practices continuously over the years, from large-scale solar power generation, rainwater harvesting and green building design, to food waste management, and developing its award-winning Rainforest and South East Asia’s largest rooftop garden as green attractions for the mall.
Driving Circularity Through Strategic Collaboration
1 Utama’s Glass Recycling Campaign is the latest community-focused recycling initiative to be introduced as part of the mall’s dedicated one-stop recycling hub 1RECYCLING CENTRE (1RC), which currently accepts recycling categories such as E-waste, PET beverage plastic bottles, aluminum drink cans, paper, paper bags, carton boxes, fabric, clothes, bags, toys, textiles and lanyards. With the inclusion of glass, 1RC is now one of the most comprehensive recycling hubs in a Malaysian shopping centre.
To rollout the campaign, 1 Utama has partnered with Glass Loop, a local circularity initiative dedicated to building functional glass recovery systems, and EUROCHAM Malaysia, which brings industry advocacy and sustainability alignment to the collaboration.
The collaboration was formalized during an MOU Signing Ceremony on 26 November 2025 at 1RECYCLING CENTRE, officiated by Teo Chui Ping (Managing Director, 1 Utama), Tobias Mangelmann (Managing Director, Glass Loop), and Karl Godderis (Chief Executive Officer, EUROCHAM Malaysia). Mall tenant representatives from ANTE, Wonjo Buanjib and Since 1939, were also in attendance to support the campaign, demonstrating strong F&B participation for responsible glass waste management.
Under this partnership, 1 Utama provides infrastructure and operational support, Glass Loop manages collection and downstream recycling through licensed Malaysian processors and EUROCHAM Malaysia expands awareness and industry alignment, positioning the campaign as a scalable sustainability model for the retail sector.
“Sustainability has long been part of 1 Utama’s identity, and this campaign strengthens our commitment to building a truly circular mall ecosystem. By partnering with Glass Loop and EUROCHAM Malaysia, we’re making glass recycling easier for everyone and encouraging responsible habits within our community.”
(L–R) Tobias Mangelmann (Glass Loop), Teo Chui Ping (1 Utama), Karl Godderis (EUROCHAM Malaysia)
Tenant & Partner Group Photo
(L–R) Ivy Chieng (Since 1939 1 Utama), Tobias Mangelmann, Teo Chui Ping, Karl Godderis, Shaun Leong (ANTE), Jynia Jasila (Wonjo Buanjib The Best K-BBQ)
A Timely Initiative Aligned with National Sustainability Direction
Malaysia’s Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) is developing the national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, which will require major commercial properties—including shopping malls—to provide adequate recycling facilities for key materials.
While most malls already collect paper, plastics, and metals, glass remains one of the most underrecycled materials, despite being 100% and infinitely recyclable.
1 Utama’s proactive introduction of mall-wide glass recycling facilities positions it ahead of upcoming regulations and helps prepare both shoppers and tenants for more circular waste practices.
Making Recycling Easy
To ensure glass recycling becomes accessible and seamless, 1 Utama has provided facilities such as:
1) Dedicated public-use glass recycling bins @ 1RECYCLING CENTRE (B2 Highstreet)
- Bins are equipped with Smart Sensors to monitor bin levels in real time. Shoppers may drop off clean glass bottles and jars to give glass a second life
- Opening hours: 10am to 10pm daily
2) Tenant-use glass recycling bins @ Refuse Chamber (GF Centre Court)
- Dedicated tenant-use bins at the Refuse Chamber allows tenants to conveniently dispose of operational glass waste generated daily
- Early tenant adopters of proper glass disposal practices include F&B tenants such as ANTE, Since 1939, and Wonjo Buanjib BBQ which have actively embraced the system and setting a strong example for the wider tenant community
- Opening hours: 24 hours daily
Once collected, glass enters a fully local and traceable recycling stream. It is transported to the Sri Pushpam plant in Shah Alam for colour sorting and cleaning, before being sent to OI-BJC Glass Malaysia in Johor Bahru, a leading glass packaging manufacturer. There, the cullet is melted and remade into new bottles and containers, which re-enter the Malaysian market, effectively closing the loop on post-consumer glass.
Since the campaign’s soft launch in October 2025, 1 Utama has already collected 1,509 kg of glass waste, successfully diverting it from landfills.
For more details on 1 Utama's Glass Recycling Campaign, contact the 1Recycling Centre Service Counter Tel: 03- 7710 8118 or check updates on 1 Utama's FB & IG pages.
Published by Bandar Utama City Centre Sdn Bhd
Mok Man Ying
PR & Sustainability Senior Executive
019- 337 0635
[email protected]
Jeremy Fong
PR & Sustainability Senior Executive
012- 639 1779
[email protected]
