Muma + Shielder Eco Waste Management spreads river conservation message through murals

As World River Day approaches, eco conscious individuals, corporations and nations across the globe step up their sustainability efforts through activities that raise awareness of the importance of rivers and their conservation. Launched by the United Nations in 2005 under its Water For Life Decade, it continues to be celebrated annually on the fourth Sunday of September as a reminder that the fight for pristine rivers is far from over.

In Malaysia where rivers are a key water source, there is an urgent need to guard them against pollution due to industrial discharge and agricultural runoff while maintaining its ecological integrity.

With this in mind, Muma Malaysia embarked on an initiative with wastewater treatment specialist, Shielder Eco Waste Management, to create murals showing the symbiotic relationship between a healthy river ecosystem and life within and aboveground.

The highly detailed frescos bring an element of fun as one gets to spot Malaysia’s recognisable fauna, from the hawksbill sea turtle underwater to the classic mousedeer, tiger, sun bear, orangutan, Asian elephant and the flying hornbill on land.

Working with students from Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management And Technology, Muma’s creative team spent a week under the blazing sun in Muar and Kulai. Deeply concentrating on their tasks, the Pre-University and Faculty of Communication and Creative Industries students did not let the 45 degrees Celsius heat stop them from delivering their painted message on conservation.

Shielder Eco Waste Management co-founder, Dragon Lee, said: “While manufacturing is important to our economy, it should not be at the expense of our rivers which is our country’s key water source. At Shielder, we see ourselves as guardians of the river by educating local SMEs to prioritise river conservation and make it part of their best practices by using the right wastewater treatment. Our method is low maintenance, effective and environmentally friendly, offering a winning solution for everyone.”

Shielder uses a patented self-sustaining water treatment process to treat effluent from manufacturing and industrial businesses. Through this method, a healthy ecosystem is created where added bacteria can continue to thrive and reproduce, continuously breaking down organic matter and purifying wastewater in the most efficient manner. This unique environment not only ensures that effluent is clean and odour free upon discharge but the friendly bacteria will continue to act as guardians of the river to support ecological balance in rivers and lakes.

Satisfied customers lent their support to the mural initiative by offering their premises for the murals where it would also educate their visitors, staff and factory workers on the importance of river conservation through responsible manufacturing effluent discharge, which is in line with their business ethics.

Lee added: “The mural project involves multiple parties and is a true reflection of any conservation efforts where everyone has an important part to play. The students have worked tirelessly to produce amazing murals and I thank our customers Yamazaki Seiga and Mars Global for collaborating with us on this CSR initiative. Together as one we aim to create a long term positive impact through awareness and sustainable solutions.”

Each location saw a team of ten painting these friendly bacteria as cute water guardians working hard to maintain a healthy ecosystem to support life in the water and on land. While the message about clean rivers and ecological integrity remained, the two murals feature slightly different styles and details to keep each artwork unique and fresh.

Choo Chee Wee, Muma co-founder and creative partner, said: “The agency was working with Shielder on branding and visibility initiatives when we saw an opportunity to create an impactful and long-lasting programme in conjunction with the annual Word River Day. The biggest reward for any creative agency is to deliver an idea that works both for the client and the greater good. This mural initiative has the potential to grow year after year with further participation from students and companies who share the same passion towards conserving our rivers through awareness.”