Protect Coral Reefs in Malaysia

In Pulau Aur, Johor, we are helping local communities see waste in a new way. Through a recent Community Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) programme, 28 community members participated in hands-on training to learn how discarded glass bottles can be transformed into a valuable resource for marine conservation.

Participants were introduced to a glass crusher machine and learned how used glass bottles can be cleaned, crushed, and repurposed as an alternative material for coral rehabilitation structures. Beyond demonstrating a practical recycling solution, the programme helped raise awareness about responsible waste management and encouraged greater community involvement in protecting the island's marine environment.

The learning did not stop in the classroom. Together with volunteers from the Mersing Marine Conservation Group (MMCG), community members also took part in preparing recycled glass bottles for use in reef rehabilitation efforts. These materials will be incorporated into structures designed to support coral growth and habitat recovery in damaged reef areas around Mersing.

By turning waste into a resource, this initiative is addressing two challenges at once: reducing glass waste on the island while supporting the restoration of coral reef ecosystems. More importantly, it is empowering local communities with the knowledge and skills to take an active role in conservation, creating lasting benefits for both people and nature.