Hong Leong Bank Turns Plastic into Purpose with The Sea Monkey Project through HLB Jumpstart
Hong Leong Bank Turns Plastic into Purpose with The Sea Monkey Project through HLB Jumpstart
KUALA LUMPUR, 24 November 2025 — In its continued commitment to driving sustainable practices and inclusive growth, Hong Leong Bank (“HLB” or “the Bank”) has announced the onboarding of The Sea Monkey Project as the 8th social enterprise under its HLB Jumpstart platform, the Bank’s flagship initiative that empowers Malaysian social enterprises to scale their impact through mentorship, business support and market access.
Through HLB Jumpstart, the Bank provides social enterprises with expert guidance on critical business functions such as data analytics and digital marketing, as well as equipping them with digital payment and banking solutions. The Sea Monkey Project joins a growing network of purpose-driven enterprises under HLB Jumpstart, all united by the goal of building a more sustainable and inclusive Malaysia.
The onboarding comes on the back of an earlier pilot project, where HLB employees collectively gathered over 23,000 plastic bottle caps which were then upcycled by The Sea Monkey Project into custom staff ID cardholders. The initiative merges practical corporate need with environmental stewardship, transforming the plastic waste many overlook into meaningful products that support livelihoods and deliver impact. By having these cardholders, HLB employees are also actively promoting sustainable practices and environmental awareness, embodying a clear, daily example of how collective action can convert waste into tangible value.
Zalman Zainal, Chief Marketing and Communication Officer of HLB commented that the partnership reflects how the HLB Jumpstart program seeks to bridge purpose with progress.
“HLB Jumpstart is designed to support social enterprises like The Sea Monkey Project in amplifying their vital purpose. At HLB, we recognise that supporting innovative organisations that drive positive systemic change is essential. The Sea Monkey Project is doing truly impressive work, and we are incredibly excited to further support them in amplifying their reach and impact through HLB Jumpstart.”
The Sea Monkey Project was founded to address the global plastic crisis while simultaneously empowering communities through action. Headquartered in Malaysia, the pioneering social enterprise has engineered a comprehensive upcycling ecosystem from the ground up. It has successfully built the essential infrastructure and pipelines necessary to drive tangible climate action locally, while simultaneously empowering Malaysian communities and organizations with hands-on upcycling and sustainability training.
Building on its initial vision, The Sea Monkey Project now has upcycling machines operational in over 30 countries worldwide, demonstrating a scalable model for global change.
Carlos Steenland, Co-Founder of The Sea Monkey Project said, “Joining HLB Jumpstart gives the team a platform to amplify our impact and inspire more people to take action. One thing we’ve learned is that you should never think you’re too small to make a difference. Every bottle cap, every effort counts, and HLB’s belief in what we do reinforces that. By working together, we can show how local communities, with the right support, can build a cleaner environment and stronger futures for themselves.”
The ongoing collaboration between HLB and The Sea Monkey Project has resulted in the collection of 1,241 kilograms of plastic waste since 2024, with over RM6,000 injected back into the community as incentives. This upcycling success is a key driver in HLB's broader commitment, in which HLB has successfully diverted an immense 24,300kg of waste from disposal during the 2024/25 financial year, cementing its role in environmental stewardship.
For more information about the HLB Jumpstart programme, please visit www.hlb.com.my/ms/personal-banking/about-us/jumpstart-csr.html.
To watch HLB’s official video with The Sea Monkey Project, please visit: