In a shared commitment to promote sustainability and ESG-focused collaboration, Kao Malaysia and AEON CO. (M) BHD. have successfully wrapped up their “Recycle & Get Rewarded” HDPE Collection Program, held as part of the Smart Family Campaign themed Together Always, Embracing Each Milestone.

Running from August 2024 to May 2025, the initiative reflects both companies’ dedication to driving environmental change and promoting responsible consumer habits. Focusing on HDPE (No. 2 High-Density Polyethylene)—one of Malaysia’s most commonly recycled plastics—the campaign, under Kao’s Kirei Lifestyle Plan, encouraged Malaysians to recycle HDPE packaging regardless of brand, reinforcing the message that sustainability is a shared responsibility.

**Collect, Recycle, Reward: A Campaign with Community Impact**

Over the course of 10 months, more than 680KG of HDPE plastics were collected across five AEON Mall locations: AEON Mall Taman Maluri, AEON Mall Metro Prima, AEON Alpha Angle, AEON Mall Permas Jaya, and AEON Mall Bandaraya Melaka. The recycling effort was designed to be simple and rewarding. For every 5 HDPE bottles collected, shoppers were entitled to receive Trash4Cash buy-back rewards along with a Kao free gift—an initiative aimed at making recycling both fun and hassle-free.

Beyond environmental impact, the initiative also gave back to the community. To mark the campaign’s conclusion, Kao Malaysia contributed RM10,000 to the Malaysian AEON Foundation in support of the Smart Classroom Project, which aims to enhance learning environments and provide better educational support for local students.

(From left) Mr. Ngo Wei Foo, Vice President of Sales at Kao Malaysia; Mr. Naoya Okada, Managing Director at AEON CO. (M) BHD.; Mr. Yamazaki Hirobumi, President of Kao Malaysia; and Dr. Kasuma Satria, Chief Human Resources Officer at AEON CO. (M) BHD., during the closing ceremony of the Smart Family Campaign.

Yamazaki Hirobumi, President of Kao Malaysia, shared, “We’re proud to partner with AEON Malaysia on this meaningful initiative, which aligns with our Kirei Lifestyle Plan (KLP) and reflects Kao’s commitment to ESG through purposeful action. Our contribution to the Smart Classroom Project demonstrates this commitment tangibly, supporting education, social well-being, and sustainability. Through our participating brands—Attack, Magiclean, Merries, and Biore GUARD, we hope to continue inspiring Malaysians to embrace a cleaner, more sustainable way of living.”

Naoya Okada, Managing Director of AEON CO. (M) BHD., added, “This collaboration with Kao Malaysia and the Malaysian AEON Foundation strengthens our long-standing partnership rooted in shared values and ESG priorities. Beyond delivering quality products, we are working together to raise environmental awareness and promote sustainable living. By uniting our efforts, we believe we can make a greater difference for the environment and our communities.”

This collaboration reflects Kao’s core value: “We act with courage.” Through innovation and social responsibility, Kao Malaysia and AEON are empowering Malaysians to build a more sustainable, conscious, and rewarding future.