From Waste Streams to Revenue Streams – Green Factory Accelerates Malaysia’s Circular ‑ Economy Accessibility
KUALA LUMPUR, 6 May 2025 — The Green Factory, Malaysia’s pioneer SME of
circular timber design and manufacturing, marked a new milestone in sustainable retail today when it unveiled its first experiential store during eco-discovery event Sustainaboleh! at The Campus, Ampang.
The ribbon-cutting was officiated by YB Tuan Nik Nazmi bin Nik Ahmad, Minister of
Natural Resources, Environment & Climate Change, highligthing the Government’s
commitment to scale Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through small-and- medium enterprises.
“SMEs like The Green Factory prove that environmental responsibility can be a
competitive advantage,” the Minister said. “By turning discarded timber into high-value
products, they create skilled jobs while cutting carbon. The Government will match this ambition -through green-tech grants, accelerated tax allowances and public-private partnerships to speed Malaysia’s transition to a low-carbon, circular economy.”
The occasion celebrated thirteen years of research-driven waste innovation that has
advanced Sustainable Development Goals 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure)
and 12 (responsible consumption and production) while proving that Malaysian
craftsmanship can flourish within a regenerative business model.
“From our beginnings as a small family business, we’ve grown into a flagship retail
space celebrating circular design. Today’s hands-on workshops, eco-demonstrations
and dialogue sessions showcase how local businesses are embracing greener
practices. ‘Boleh’ means ‘capable’ or ‘able’ – and through this Sustainaboleh! event,
we’re proud to highlight Malaysians’ commitment to caring for our environment.
We invite every visitor, SME and industry partner to join us in co-creating the next wave of sustainable innovation. Turning waste into impact Since 2012, The Green Factory team has re-imagined corporate discards into durable assets, diverting significant tonnage of would-be waste. In 2023 it transformed
48,140 kg of transport pallets and crates from Farm Fresh into custom furniture and
display fixtures for the dairy group’s experiential farm park.
Collaboration with The Datai Langkawi enabled the luxury resort to achieve
96 per cent zero-waste-to-landfill after hotel carpenters adopted in-house up-cycling
systems, among other notable initiatives. Work with FGV Holdings converted 67 kg of
empty-fruit-bunch fibre into trophies and ornament boxes, illustrating a scalable
pathway for palm-oil by-products.
Zain Al-’Abidin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz, Chairman of Sepulo Holdings remarked about its
subsidiary: “By showcasing scalable sustainable projects, The Green Factory proves that SMEs can drive SDG progress and motivate industry-wide adoption of circular
practices. We welcome Malaysian organisations to pilot green initiatives and as we bring these successes onto the global stage, we invite international organisations,
diplomatic network, trade commissions and development agencies to support these
efforts globally.” Awards & Contributions
The company’s accomplishments have earned both local and international regard: the
2018 Good Design Japan Award for the Green Factory Initiative, the 2018 Europa
Award for Best Environmental Impact (SME) and the 2024 Sustainable Energy &
Green Technology International Innovation Award.
Beyond commercial collaborations, The Green Factory offers more than 80 retail
product lines and has run educational programmes that introduce students, from
kindergarten to university, to carpentry basics, 3R principles and creative wood reuse.
The Green Factory’s Flagship Store
The newly opened outlet, fashioned entirely from reclaimed timber off-cuts,
sustainable composites and planks salvaged from previous installations, now serves
as a physical extension of that mission. It offers a complete range alongside
low-impact packaging options and a calendar of small-group workshops.
The Sustainaboleh! event allowed visitors to immerse themselves in circular design
and low-impact living. Visitors expressed their creativity in “Art on Wood” sessions that
turned off-cuts into creative art pieces; visitors explored an eco-showcases
demonstrating how waste can transform into new products through The Green
Factory’s signature products; and sustainability education talks offered practical guidance on conscious consumption, purposeful design and green innovation.
Individuals and organisations wishing to commission bespoke up-cycling projects,
purchase sustainably crafted goods or enrol in upcoming workshops may do so at
www.greenfactory.shop or by visiting the Ampang outlet during regular business
hours.
