Brewer recognised for efforts in Water Conservation & Waste Management

KUALA LUMPUR, 14 December 2022 – Heineken Malaysia Berhad (HEINEKEN Malaysia) was recognised at the United Nations Global Compact Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMYB) Sustainability Performance Awards 2022, winning two awards in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Ambition Benchmarks Awards category. HEINEKEN Malaysia was awarded for:

• SDG Ambition Benchmark 2: Net-positive water impact in water-stressed basins
• SDG Ambition Benchmark 3: Zero waste to landfill and incineration

Commenting on the achievement, Roland Bala, HEINEKEN Malaysia’s Managing Director said: “It is an honour for us to be recognised by UNGCMYB. In line with our Brew A Better World sustainability strategy, we are committed to reaching net zero emissions in production by 2030 and the wider value chain by 2040. We are also committed to working with our stakeholders towards conserving healthy watersheds. We are the first company in Malaysia to have fully balanced the water used in our products since 2020 and we reached 289% of our water balancing target in 2021. We continue to make progress in improving the efficiency of our water consumption at our Sungei Way Brewery, with an aim to reach 2.6 litres of water for every litre of our product. Indeed, these are ambitious targets, nevertheless, we are committed to caring for our people and planet.”

“In terms of waste management, we have achieved Zero Waste to Landfill since 2017. We work with partners who support us recycle or upcycle 100% of all waste generated from production. In 2021, we generated a total of 23,834 tonnes of waste including paper cartons, glass culets, scrap metal, as well as organic waste such as spent grain and spent yeast. We are committed to continually improving the ways we convert waste to value and ensure none of our waste ends up in landfills,” Roland added.

HEINEKEN Malaysia’s 2030 Brew A Better World sustainability programme includes ambitious commitments across three pillars:

1. Environmental Sustainability – on the path to net zero impact
2. Social Sustainability – on the path to an inclusive, fair and equitable company and world
3. Responsible Consumption – on the path to moderation and no harmful use

Renuka Indrarajah, HEINEKEN Malaysia’s Corporate Affairs & Legal Director, said: “We are focused on creating a positive impact through our Brew A Better World sustainability commitments. Our water conservation journey started in 2007, involving communities, government agencies, and NGO partners like the Global Environment Centre (GEC), where we joined our efforts in accomplishing river rehabilitation, water conservation and alternative water systems projects. To date, we’ve channelled close to RM14 million in science-based water stewardship initiatives, and we’re committed to investing for the long-term towards healthy watersheds.”

For every 1 litre of water used in its products, HEINEKEN Malaysia targets to balance 1.5 litres. The company balances the volume of water utilised for production use through programmes in water catchments and communities beyond its walls. Through its CSR arm, SPARK Foundation, the brewer partners with external stakeholders to drive conservation initiatives in the Sungai Selangor watershed.

HEINEKEN Malaysia’s water balancing projects include:

• Continued rehabilitation and conservation of Sungai Way as a model urban river in an industrial zone, as a best practice of industry-community partnership. The company aims to maintain river water quality at Class III or better, through the construction and enhancement of wetland islands as well as pollution control at source initiatives.
• The construction of a 305-metre clay dyke at the Raja Musa Forest Reserve peat swamp to increase water storage capacity, effectively raising the water table and contributing to the long-term sustainability of Sungai Selangor watershed.
• The installation and maintenance of rainwater harvesting systems, which help mitigate water disruptions and help communities reduce reliance on treated water for non-potable usage as well as relieve pressure on our water resources. To date, there are 22 rainwater harvesting systems built for rural communities which are linked to 10 community farming projects that supplement community income and food.
• The reforestation of degraded peatland in Raja Musa Forest Reserve which reduces the risk of peat fires and increases the peatland’s water table, contributing to the health of Sungai Air Hitam within the Sungai Selangor watershed.

“Besides fully balancing water used in our products and recycling 100% of waste, we have also embarked on an ambitious plan to decarbonise our operations. This year, we took a major step towards this goal by transitioning to 100% renewable electricity through the Malaysian Renewable Energy Certificate (mREC) programme. We will continue exploring other solutions and innovations to accelerate our progress towards net zero by increasing the share of renewables in our energy mix,” Renuka added.

United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) is a strategic policy initiative for businesses that are committed to taking action in advancing broader societal goals. UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMYB) is the official local network of UNGC, that supports Malaysian & Bruneian companies in enabling them to contribute towards the SDGs and achieve business excellence via its 10 principles, programmes and tools while providing access to partnerships with a range of stakeholders – to share best practices and emerging solutions.

For more information on HEINEKEN Malaysia and the company’s initiatives, please visit www.heinekenmalaysia.com.

HEINEKEN Malaysia partners with seven NGOs and community partners in an effort to help create a sustainable food supply

15 December 2022 – Heineken Malaysia Berhad (HEINEKEN Malaysia) today launched its HEINEKEN Cares 2022 programme at the Sungei Way Brewery. Transitioning from short-term food aid, the brewer is collaborating with seven non-government organisations (NGOs) and community partners to support communities in building capacity for long-term food security. As part of their commitment, HEINEKEN Malaysia pledged to deliver over 600,000 meals to empower local communities across Malaysia to start and maintain their own sustainable food sources. In tandem with this commitment, the brewer also provided a platform for its partners to showcase their community work at a mini exhibition.

At the launch event, Roland Bala, Managing Director of HEINEKEN Malaysia said, “At the height of the pandemic, we saw how vulnerable communities were in need of food aid. Responding to the call for help, we launched HEINEKEN Cares in 2021, a social impact programme to connect our employee’s well-being at work with a purpose to support local communities, giving them the opportunity to participate in meaningful CSR initiatives. Together, our One Strong Winning Team, alongside our NGO and community partners, helped create a positive impact in our local communities.”

HEINEKEN Cares saw great success in 2021. For every 1,000 steps taken by a HEINEKEN Malaysia employee, the brewer committed one meal to a person in need. The programme delivered 150,000 meals to vulnerable communities across the nation in six months. This was further scaled up during the December 2021 floods, when HEINEKEN Cares topped up an additional 100,000 meals and care packages for affected communities. As a result, the programme delivered a cumulative total of 250,000 meals in 2021.

Taking it a step further, HEINEKEN Cares 2022 announced a renewed vision to transform lives by improving social sustainability through food security. Once again linking employee wellness with a community purpose, the programme increased their 2022 goal, calling on its employees to step up and achieve 200 million steps cumulatively from November 2022 to March 2023. This year, HEINEKEN Cares increases its contributions by committing to providing three meals for every 1,000 steps made by an employee, with a goal to deliver more than 600,000 meals for vulnerable communities across Malaysia. The NGOs and community partners collaborating with HEINEKEN Cares 2022 include The Lost Food Project, Epic, and PWD Smart Farmability, whose projects are focused in supporting communities in Peninsular Malaysia, as well as Soroptimist International Region of Malaysia, Hopes Malaysia, Hope Place Kuching, and Kupikupifm, whose projects are supporting communities in Sabah and Sarawak.

In her opening speech, Renuka Indrarajah, HEINEKEN Malaysia’s Corporate Affairs and Legal Director shared, “As part of our social sustainability commitment, we aim to make a positive impact on Malaysian communities. With HEINEKEN Cares, every step counts, and every meal matters. This year, we want to move beyond providing short-term relief to communities in need and take it a step further by empowering local communities to start and maintain a sustainable food supply.”

“By joining forces with HEINEKEN Cares, our NGOs and community partners will be working on projects such as setting up small-scale community farms and satellite aquaponic systems, establishing and leveraging on existing alternative water systems to support these community farms, as well as distributing food provisions to those in need,” Renuka added.

At the mini exhibition, seven NGOs and community partners showcased their work alongside HEINEKEN Malaysia in building sustainable food sources throughout Malaysia. Highlights of their community work are as follows.

• The Lost Food Project redistributes rescued surplus goods and other essential items to those in need in the Klang Valley and Johor Bahru area.
• Epic provides sustainable water supply and farming programmes to the communities in Kampung Orang Asli Gurney and Kampung Orang Asli Sg Kelubi in Hulu Selangor.
• PWD Smart Farmability builds aquaponic satellite farms which help provide fresh, organic and nutritious meat and vegetables for welfare centres across seven regions in Peninsular Malaysia,
• Soroptimist International Region of Malaysia provides alternative water systems and organic farms in Long Tanyit, Belaga, Sarawak and Kg Gana, Kota Marudu, Sabah, whilst building capacity to empower women in finding alternative sources of income.
• Hopes Malaysia improves the existing gravity water system for homes and farms in Kg. Pinolobuh, Kota Belud, Sabah, empowering families to sustainably farm for lasting food security
• Hope Place Kuching channels basic food aid and necessities to the underprivileged in Sarawak to improve their health and livelihood.
• Kupikupifm maintains alternative water systems for rural villages in Sabah and continues working to connects systems to encourage the adoption of community farming.

For the first time, apart from contributing their steps, employees in HEINEKEN Malaysia also have the chance to play a role in community work through volunteer opportunities. Through the collaboration, NGOs and community partners are providing HEINEKEN Malaysia employees with a first-hand experience on the ground, further inspiring employees to give back to those in need.

All employees were also encouraged to step up and volunteer with the seven NGO partners, committing to support the various food security projects across Malaysia.

Further information on HEINEKEN Malaysia’s sustainability and initiatives can be found at HEINEKEN Malaysia’s official website: www.heinekenmalaysia.com or SPARK Foundation’s official website: sparkfoundation.com.my.

To help the vulnerable and those in need, feel free to contact the HEINEKEN Cares partners listed below:

• The Lost Food Project: thelostfoodproject.org
• Epic: my
• PWD Smart Farmability: pwdsmartfarmability.com
• Soroptimist International Region of Malaysia: facebook.com/siromsiam
• Hopes Malaysia: hopesmalaysia.com
• Hope Place Kuching: org.my
• Kupikupifm: my

HEINEKEN Malaysia collaborates with Grab Malaysia to encourage responsible and safe behaviours amongst consumers

KUALA LUMPUR, 14 December 2022 – Heineken Malaysia Berhad (HEINEKEN Malaysia) and Grab Malaysia are joining forces, calling on consumers to Enjoy Responsibly and Do Not Drink and Drive. With the festive season around the corner in December, this collaboration campaigns for responsible behaviours amongst consumers who plan to attend festive events and parties during the final two weeks of the year.

Through the collaboration, HEINEKEN Malaysia and Grab Malaysia will be offering up to 10,000 promo codes, giving an RM10 discount off Grab Rides to various Heineken®, Guinness, and Tiger brand events up until 31 December 2022.

Renuka Indrarajah, HEINEKEN Malaysia’s Corporate Affairs & Legal Director, said: “As a progressive brewer, we are committed to advocating responsible consumption. Our collaboration with Grab to offer ride discounts to consumers aims to encourage all consumers attending our events to do the right thing and take alternative transport when going out for a drink. Do not drink and drive, we want our consumers to get home safely at the end of the day.”

“Earlier this year, our When You Drive, Never Drink campaign called on consumers to pledge to never drink and drive. We received 3,000 pledges from consumers, indicating growing awareness and positive behaviours in Malaysia. We further received over 100 pledges from our business partners, who committed to supporting HEINEKEN Malaysia’s responsible consumption agenda. The Heineken® brand also dedicated 10% of media spend annually on promoting responsible consumption.”

This campaign is in line with Grab’s number one priority, safety, where it believes in providing a safe journey when and where people need it the most. Grab has always encouraged Malaysians to book Grab rides as an alternative to driving, whether it is for shopping, running errands, or even a night out. Through more dedicated campaigns to encourage Malaysians to use e-hailing as a transportation mode during these at-risk times, Grab is committed to being part of the solution to help people make safe choices.

HEINEKEN Malaysia’s brand events and all related promotions and activities are strictly for non-Muslims aged 21 and above only. HEINEKEN Malaysia advocates responsible consumption and urges consumers to #EnjoyResponsibly. When you drive, never drink. Since 2010, the brewer has invested more than RM9 million in advocating responsible consumption.

HEINEKEN Malaysia Brand Events in December