1Borneo Hypermall launches own green initiative
KOTA KINABALU: As the world is heading towards the green movement, shopping malls from around the state should start incorporating sustainability initiatives.
In line with this vision, 1Borneo Hypermall has opted to launch its own green initiative dubbed Greensteps: Towards a Greener 1Borneo. This project was a collaboration between 1Borneo, Borneo Blue and the Foundation of Environmental Education of UMS (FEE UMS).
“The need of being sustainable is more significant now than ever before. Sustainability is directly linked to resources and resourcefulness.
“Indeed our (1Borneo) benchmark will focus on sustainability initiatives. We target to reduce costs by 20 to 25 per cent,” 1Borneo assistant general manager Marcellinus Stanis said in his speech at the launching ceremony of the said project yesterday.
He asserted that the Greensteps project represents 1Borneo’s aim to fulfil its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, which is to give back to mother nature.
“Our aim is to adopt environmental friendly concepts and to create more awareness on sustainability. We are collaborating with FEE UMS and Borneo Blue on this mission because we want to extend our appreciation to all UMS students and employees for their support all these years,” Marcellinus said. 1Borneo will start initiating the project by taking small steps, whereby the hyper will adopt a more green building strategy.
To achieve this goal, 1Borneo will be setting parameters in monitoring the reduction of energy use, preserve natural environment around its landscape by putting more greens and plants to produce better air quality, converting its lightings to LED energy savers, promote recycling through its ewaste boxes and recycling bins, hold events for the green movement and many more. Marcellinus disclosed that 1Borneo would be organizing a special Earth Hour event on March 24 and a green innovation event, that extends to government-owned primary and secondary schools, from April 6 to 9.
Meanwhile, Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) deputy director general Kenny Chan said he was pleased to see 1Borneo leading the way towards a greener Sabah.
“It is the view of the DBKK that the efforts undertaken by 1Borneo Hypermall, in collaboration with UMS Eco Campus and FEE, to bring about a greener and eco-friendly culture in the largest hypermall in Kota Kinabalu, a commendable and support worthy cause,” Chan said in his speech.
“We at DBKK are supporting the move towards a greener 1Borneo, by providing recycle bins in addition to the e-waste centre that will be in place today. The multi-coloured bins will be installed in strategic locations around the mall,” Chan added.
Borneo Blue founder Nadine Stanley said her organization chose to work with 1Borneo in this project as the said mall is very popular among university students, especially those from UMS and UITM.
Thus, by organizing such programmes in 1Borneo, it would be easier for Borneo Blue to engage with the young university students of the state, Nadine said.
The launching ceremony also featured environmental talks from distinguished speakers, as well as other interactive booths.
Also present was UMS EEF representative Imelda Geoffery.