Imagine a workplace that could also grow food, give back to communities and be powered by carbon-free energy…
I visited the Batu Kawan facility of Micron, a global leader in memory and storage solutions that power much of the tech we use today; from hardware like mobile phones, to data centres underpinning the AI revolution. After enthusiastic emails, I got on a train to Penang with fellow sustainability professionals to understand: what exactly is Micron doing differently in their sustainability goals?
Sustainability is an iterative process, there’s no one-size fits all. It’s a shift from seeing it as a reporting or PR exercise to understanding it as a strategic lens that reshapes how you create value and for whom. And Micron’s unique take in navigating this has them bringing their secret weapon to the forefront: their people.
What I enjoyed most during the visit however was witnessing the people-first culture they embody and how they’ve designed it into the workplace.
1. Leadership is ownership
“There isn’t a sustainability department in Micron Malaysia, ” shared Amarjit Sandhu, Corporate Vice president, Assembly and Test NAND Operations for Micron (Singapore and Malaysia) . It may appear a little unorthodox in a time where companies are hunting down ESG talents as quickly as they can.
Many companies compartmentalise the responsibility of sustainability. How much of it is integrated into the business and how far it influences business decisions remains debatable in the wider market. It is not uncommon to see a siloed team or a role parked under other support units like Marketing or HR. Reporting may often be the main scope at this time in Malaysia.
Micron in Malaysia however takes a cross-functional approach. Sustainability is a shared responsibility. Senior management and the leadership team propose sustainability initiatives they believe in and take ownership of these projects in collaboration with stakeholders. These ideas and projects are also cross-fertilised across Micron Malaysia’s operations, exchanging their wins and their lessons to see how successful projects can be adapted elsewhere in support of the group’s overall sustainability strategy. Their global sustainability team tracks and monitors progress of the efforts across Micron sites worldwide.
Rather than relying solely on external sustainability experts, they empower their own people, many who are engineers. People who understand their systems deeply, are adept at solving problems with systems thinking, to figure out creative solutions.
And Mr Lau Lee Lian, their facilities director, is a great example…
2. Do it because it’s worth doing
It all started as an idea proposed by Mr. Lau, met with support from their leadership team.
Now, a thriving organic urban farm spanning 54,000 square feet in Micron’s Batu Kawan facility sits as an abundance of life and greenery. It was like an oasis in the middle of an industrial park.
As he brings us through the different areas, we see how carefully thought out and inspired by zero waste and circular economy practices it is.
Waste segregation to regenerative gold: Before starting the farm, they had to contend with most of the soil being infertile and unsuitable for growing, given that the site is built on reclaimed land. Employees practice separation at the source of all food and organic waste throughout the facilities, which is then composted to feed the soil in the farm. By closing the loop, they were able to build healthy soil naturally, sequester carbon and redirect waste while they’re at it.
Nutritious Food Without The Negative Impact: From giant winter melons to crisp lady fingers, Micron’s urban farm is grown without the use of pesticides or artificial fertilizers. The organic produce harvested is then served in the staff cafeteria, donated to charities, or given away to employees to bring home, essentially offsetting their food miles and reducing the reliance on industrial food systems. They harvest an impressive average of 4,000 kilograms of produce every month
Employee collaboration with responsible stewardship: While employees are encouraged to spend time outdoors volunteering in the farm with volunteer time off, Mr. Lau stewards the running of the farm with his Facilities team, along with their other daily responsibilities. Micron’s urban farm runs with the diligence and structure of a working farm.
Propagate and Influence : Mr. Lau’s love for growing has earned Micron’s urban farm a reputation. With closed loop growing methods including aquaponics, and experimentation with different plants, Micron has been an exemplary model of how to use your real estate to serve the community and employees while generating environmental benefit. Other industrial facilities in the neighborhood have since started their own urban farms through friendly guidance and generous knowledge sharing with Mr. Lau.
Bring aliveness and wellbeing throughout the workspace: The healing benefits of nature doesn’t just stay outdoors. My favorite part was walking through their offices and being greeted by real plants everywhere – lobbies, corridors, cafeteria, offices, even moss on the walls. This was such a welcome change from the usual sight of plastic artificial plants used as decoration for convenience in other indoor spaces.
Mr Lau set up a nursery in the farm for real plants to be circulated continuously throughout the facility. In the midst of the demands of a workplace, being surrounded by real greenery can make a world of difference to an employee’s wellbeing and mental health.
The urban farm and nursery initiative is not an income generating endeavour, it is done because they believe it is something worth doing. Their genuine intention and care have translated to something that rejuvenates the people and place they’re a part of.
Employees walking in and out of the farm, and those working alongside Mr Lau move a little lighter with a pep in their step. Mr Lau himself appears younger than his years. You can tell how this endeavor is a source of pride and joy for them, beyond carbon footprint.
3. Design for behaviour change: Nudge instead of nag
Mr Lau shared how they covered the exposed drains where employees liked to take breaks when they found persistent littering. This was arguably far more effective than nagging through a “Do Not Litter” sign. Overnight, the littering stopped.
On our walk through the office, I noticed the absence of trash bins in employee workspaces. Instead, clear designated waste bins and recycling bins are centralised in the pantry, nudging separation at source and intercepting the default to convenience. Food waste bins were also prominent right beside the tray return areas in the cafeteria.
A culture takes time to cultivate, the built environment reinforces it. With an engineer’s approach to problem solving, they designed their spaces to nudge sustainably responsible behaviour and make desired actions easier to choose.
“Like it or not…(semiconductors) require a lot of resources”, said Amarjit. “What we’ve done is design the processes and our facilities to minimize the impact to the environment from the aspect of emissions, energy, water and waste”
Their progress so far shows determination, investing millions in the process, with plans to invest approximately $1 billion globally by 2028 to advance their environmental goals. Here in Malaysia, many initiatives are already reality. In a few short years, they’ve powered 100% of their energy needs in Malaysia with carbon-free energy through GET, Power Purchase Agreements and rooftop solar panels, implemented water recycling and waste reduction initiatives, and pursued community welfare projects from youth development to underserved communities.
As early movers in many of these initiatives within the local market, their collaborations with local and federal government and engagement with industry peers lay groundwork for more coordinated efforts towards systemic decarbonisation and broader climate advocacy.
We left with a lasting impression of Micron’s supportive culture. One that empowers teams to troubleshoot and make bold choices. From strong leadership commitment and accountability to strategic investments, it’s clear this spirit will continue to spur more creative, passion-driven ideas that inspire us.
For more on about Micron Malaysia’s sustainability measures, visit their website
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