Most of us tend to throw away used oil after cooking, but not for Wen Shin Chia. The founder of Green Yards produces eco-products using recycled cooking oil to minimise environmental pollution. The
1. She represented Malaysia to receive the Queen’s Young Leader award in 2018
Wen Shin Chia was among 240 young leaders from 53 Commonwealth countries who received the Queen’s Young Leader award from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, London.
Wen, from Selangor, received the award for the work she is doing to tackle pollution through Green Yards – a social enterprise that focuses on impact in providing a proper channel to households to dispose of their used cooking oil.
2. She took Environmental Science subject for a cause
Wen was a scout in secondary school and loved doing all the outdoor activity. She realised the place where she used to go camping and hiking is just no longer clean anymore.
Hence, she started to pay more attention to environmental issues and decided to study environmental science as her university subject.
3. Green Yards started from a small university project
As an Environmental Science student, it was a requirement to create a university project to pass the course. She then took an initiative to produce eco-products to minimise environmental pollution by using recycled ingredient – used cooking oil.
From just a small university project, she decided to turn Green Yards into a full-fledged business upon her graduation.
She faced job uncertainty when she decided to quit her job few years ago to manage the company. But it all paid off in creating impact on the environment and society too.
4. Green Yards aims to minimise water pollutions and save marine life
In Malaysia alone, there are 230 million litres of oil being dumped into our waterways every year. This not only pollutes water resources but also endangers marine life.
To tackle the issue, Green Yards focusing on making soaps and candles from recycled cooking oil. The company sources
5. Give out free soap bar for every 5kg of grease
To increase the participation rate in the community, Green Yards set up collection point which makes it easier for households to donate the used oil. Besides, for every 5kg of grease they return, they receive a free soap bar in return.
6. All her efforts paid off when she received various awards
Green Yards that produces eco-friendly soaps, multipurpose eco washing powder and eco candles has received two awards to date. They have been selected as the Enterprise of The Year by Mercy Mission Excellence Awards and also Inspire Award for their dedication in saving the environment.
7. And she is on Forbes list 30 Under 30 Asia under Social Entrepreneurs category
The founder of Green Yards, Wen Shin Chia is among other 10 Malaysian entrepreneurs who make to Forbes 30 Under 30 list. As the recipients of the Queen’s Young Leader award, her efforts to protect the environment sets the example for Asia’s next generation of leaders.
The full list of Malaysian entrepreneur for this year Forbes 30 Under 30 are Aaron Patel, Bobby Ong, TM Lee, Chris
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