Oh is on a mission to make zero-waste shopping easy for consumers. Photos: Oh Sok Peng
She drives around the Klang Valley in her van that’s always well stocked with these household products which consumers fill into their own containers. “In the last six months alone I have refilled thousands of plastic bottles and managed to save over 30,000 one-litre bottles. The number may look small but the more families adopt this concept, it will make a significant impact on the environment,” says Oh who lives in Petaling Jaya.
“In my previous job, I used to travel abroad regularly. I would stay in different hotels and I remember how much waste I produced, throwing away single-use hotel slippers, personal care bottles, wrappers and such. Slowly, I began to reflect on my carbon footprint and the amount of waste I was producing,” she says.
“We have been taught that recycling is the solution and this encourages us to produce more waste and buy more plastic bottles without guilt,” says Oh. “However, not all bottles are recyclable,” she points out. “The biggest concern is when non-recyclable plastic turns into micro-plastic and goes into the ocean and our food. So, why not refill?” says Oh.Oh quit her job as a film distributor in Sept 2021 as she wanted a break from her demanding job. It was right smack during the pandemic, and she decided to spend her time doing community service instead.
Oh says that she isn’t interested in “climbing the corporate ladder or raking in big bucks” but is pursuing her belief. Oh’s van is neatly packed with the refillable products she sells. The items are neatly arranged in large glass jars and 10-litre rectangular containers.