Social ResponsibilityExtending a Helping Hand in Times Of Need In December 2021, the Group participated in a program to help students who were adversely affected by the floods that hit Peninsular Malaysia during that time. Many students suffered great losses which included the loss of textbooks and school supplies due to the flood damages. Therefore, the Group felt compelled to donate our textbook publications to schools in need via Bahagian Sumber dan Teknologi Pendidikan, Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia. We donated a number of textbooks worth approximately RM20,000.00 in an effort to aid the teaching and learning process of teachers and students across the country during this time of need. In September 2022, the Group has explored and finalised on our decision to invest in the installation of solar panels at our premises. The total investment is expected to amount to RM769,000 of which the expected annual carbon dioxide (“CO2”) avoidance is approximately 263,000 tonnes leading to an expected savings of approximately RM174,000 annually. Material Sourcing and Managing Waste We place great care in the usage of our raw materials: paper. We manage material wastage arising from the manufacturing of books as well as excess stocks by applying stringent controls on our printers and making data-driven decisions to prevent over-printing. Proper care is taken to store our raw materials and finished products so as to avoid damages. Older stocks still fit for use are cleared through markdown sales and donated to organisations while remainder are collected and sold to recycling facilites. For the FYE 31 August 2022, production wastage is kept at 1%, which is within the current standard set by the Group. We are continuously evaluating and improving our processes to reduce wastage. To the best of our abilities, our purchase of raw materials are made from manufacturers who support sustainability initiatives and bodies, such as the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (“SFI”), Forest Stewardship Council (“FSC”) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (“PEFC”). Without compromising on quality and with the consent of our customers, we would also incorporate products made from recycled paper into our product mix. To meet the needs arising from the ever-changing education landscape, we have also dedicated a significant portion of our resources to developing digital education solutions. By offering digital products, we are able to empower our customers with 21st century educational technology while reducing our carbon footprint and other negative impacts on the environment. BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY The Group participates in various Corporate Social Responsibility activities every year in our effort to make quality education accessible to students of all backgrounds. • to replace existing fluorescent/halogen lights to lower wattage LED lights when existing lights wear out; • switching/turning off idle equipment, air conditioners, lights and water taps. However, with respect to water usage, though we remind our employees to use them sparingly, as the COVID-19 remains a concern, we continue with precautionary measures such as increasing cleaning and disinfection frequency, encouraging employees to wash their hands regularly and promoting good personal hygiene; • frequent checks on water supply installation for undetected leaks across the premises; • introducing the separation of waste into recyclable and general waste; and • route planning and management when delivering products. 3 4 5 2 1 (continued) SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT 39 ANNUAL REPORT 2022
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