Toyota Eco Youth 2025: Students turn ideas into action for a greener Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has wrapped up this year’s Toyota Eco Youth (TEY) programme with a closing ceremony at Wyndham Acmar Klang, marking the end of its 24th run.

What started back in 2001 as an awareness campaign has now grown into one of Malaysia’s most enduring environmental education programmes — and this year’s participants showed that young Malaysians aren’t short on ideas when it comes to sustainability.

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Held from October 28 to 29, the two-day exhibition and convention gathered 15 finalist teams from across the country, all presenting projects that tackled everyday problems — food waste, e-waste, air pollution, even urban flooding. Their ideas were judged on creativity, community impact, and how sustainable they could be in the long run.

The big winner this year was SMK Khir Johari from Kedah, who took home RM30,000 for their food waste management project. SMK Mohd Khalid from Johor came in second with an e-waste reduction initiative worth RM20,000, while Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid, also from Kedah, secured third place with a waste disposal control project, earning RM10,000.

Other standout awards included:

• Best Social Media Campaign: Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid, Kedah (RM5,000)

• Best Presentation: SMK Mohd Khalid, Johor (RM5,000)

• Best Exhibition: SMK Kota Kemuning, Selangor (RM5,000)

• Most Supportive Teacher: Mr. Sandra Gesan A/L Balakrishnan, SMK Khir Johari, Kedah (RM2,000)

Altogether, RM77,000 in cash prizes were handed out, recognising not just clever ideas, but also teamwork and mentorship behind each project.

“Witnessing the 2025 participants apply structured problem-solving to deliver tangible, community-driven environmental change is truly inspiring,” said Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor. “These young individuals have moved from beyond awareness into action, demonstrating leadership, resilience, and innovation in overcoming real-world issues. They represent the spirit of Mobility for All by showing how progress can move communities forward toward a greener and more sustainable future.”

Building green habits through structure and creativity

Launched in March, this year’s TEY involved 30 schools nationwide, with RM167,000 allocated in grants and prizes. Each team followed Toyota’s 8-Step Problem-Solving Methodology, learning to identify issues, analyse root causes, and measure results — much like how Toyota engineers tackle challenges in real life.

The outcome wasn’t just a set of student projects. It was a collection of small but meaningful community changes — cleaner drains, better waste management, and more awareness about how everyday habits affect the environment.

Toyota Eco Youth continues to reflect UMWT’s belief that mobility goes beyond vehicles — it’s about empowering people and communities to move forward together. Through TEY, students gain the tools and confidence to lead environmental change in their own backyards.

To follow the TEY 2025 journey and see what these young changemakers have built, visit toyota.com.my/toyotaecoyouth.

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