Homegrown lifestyle coffee brand ZUS Coffee has officially embarked on a bold green mission: to plant 5,000 native trees in Kinabatangan, Sabah, in collaboration with Animal Projects & Environmental Education (APE Malaysia). The project, named Kopi to Kinabatangan Canopy, aims to regenerate forest corridors and restore biodiversity in one of Malaysia’s most ecologically vital regions.
The initiative took root with the first 500 trees planted in Kg. Sukau, where local villagers contributed their expertise in nurturing native saplings — 22 different species grown and prepared in APE Malaysia’s nursery before being transplanted to the restoration site.
“Every tree we plant is a symbol of renewal, of our responsibility to give back to the land that has given us so much,” said Venon Tian, Chief Operating Officer of ZUS Coffee. “Our hope is that these trees don’t just grow into a forest, but into a legacy of impact.”
This sustainability effort was powered by over 341,000 ZUS App users, whose collective participation made the large-scale project possible. Once degraded by logging, the reforestation site is now showing promising signs of recovery — with orangutan nests and elephant feeding activity already observed in the vicinity.
According to Mark Louis Benedict, Project Manager at APE Malaysia, “The return of wildlife indicates that these restored areas are quickly becoming viable habitats again. Reforesting with native species not only protects biodiversity but also strengthens ecosystems for the long term.”
The initiative reflects ZUS Coffee’s long-term environmental stewardship strategy — combining community empowerment, biodiversity conservation, and corporate accountability. As the trees continue to grow, so too does the impact — proving that small daily habits, when multiplied by community, can lead to lasting environmental change.
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