Meraki Daat Initiative recently announced the completion of Malaysia’s first pedestrian pathway constructed using upcycled ocean debris and island-waste plastics. The 130-meter walkway, located at Kg Lobong, Pulau Gaya, marks the successful conclusion of a pilot project launched under the UNDP Malaysia Island Waste Innovation Challenge.
Completed on October 30, 2025, the project successfully diverted 813kg of plastic waste—equivalent to tens of thousands of bottles—preventing it from entering the ocean or being burned.
From pollution to pavement: The pathway connects the village timber bridge to the local sports court, providing a safe 3-foot-wide walkway for residents. Unlike industrial plastic roads on the mainland, this project was executed entirely “on-site” effectively closing the loop on island waste.
“This was a logistical feat that required us to reinvent how we handle waste in remote areas,” said Michelle de la Harpe, RTCA, Charter President and Project Director. “We proved that with the right expertise, passion and dedication, we can turn a logistical burden into a community asset.”
A multi-pronged cleanup effort, the materials for the pathway were sourced through three aggressive collection channels:
(1) Ocean interception: In collaboration with the Marine Research Foundation (MRF), the team utilized the “Mobula” vessel to harvest floating debris from the waters around Pulau Gaya and Sepanggar.
(2) Community collection: Local villagers and households contributed directly, incentivized to segregate PET bottles.
(3) Beach cleanups: A surge of material was collected during the ‘Cabaran Kampungku Bersih’ (My Clean Village Challenge), where residents cleaned the coastline daily from August to September.
The project, launched in January 2025, proved innovation in adversity when faced significant infrastructure hurdles, including the lack of 3-phase electricity on the island, approvals and logistical delays. The technical team, led by Project Manager Ar. Adora Shariman, adapted by developing a hybrid construction method.
“Due to mould limitations and time constraints, we innovated a system of alternating eco-pavers with concrete slabs,” said Ar. Adora. “We utilized rainwater harvesting for the concrete mix and local beach sand, keeping our carbon footprint as low as possible.”
