Sepang, November 9 – The Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), has launched a Used Cooking Oil Recycling Program in collaboration with the Sepang community, Selangor. The program runs for 10 months, from October 2024 to July 2025. This initiative, a partnership between UPM, the Sepang Municipal Council (MPS), and the Taman Idaman Murni Residents’ Association (PPTIM), aims to provide a convenient way for the local community to collect and recycle their used cooking oil. Additionally, the program seeks to enhance knowledge and awareness about the importance of proper and responsible waste cooking oil management.

Dr. Ili Syazana Johari, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry and Program Director, stated that through this program, a used cooking oil collection kiosk has been built and installed within the PPTIM community. Residents of Taman Idaman Murni and nearby neighbourhoods can use this kiosk to deposit their used cooking oil without needing to travel to distant recycling centers. Dr. Ili further explained that PPTIM was chosen as a partner following a continuation of last year’s domestic solid waste management and recycling project in the neighbourhood. Findings from the previous project showed an improvement in residents' knowledge and awareness about proper recycling practices for solid waste.

MPS representative, Mr. Aizat Ikhwan, highlighted that this tripartite collaboration and the installation of the used cooking oil recycling kiosk in a community setting is the first of its kind in Sepang. According to Mr. Aizat, the program aligns with the Used Cooking Oil Recycling Campaign (KISMAT), which is part of the agenda of MPS's Environmental Health Department. During the program's launch, MPS set up a booth for collecting used cooking oil and successfully gathered 257.90 kg of oil from the local community.

The launch ceremony of this program also featured STEM activities for children using recycled materials, as well as a demonstration of soap-making from used cooking oil. These activities were facilitated by students from the Department of Chemistry, UPM, serving as facilitators. Involving children from a young age is hoped to nurture a future generation that is more environmentally conscious and responsible.

The Chairman of the Taman Idaman Murni Residents’ Association, Ustaz Hj. Mohd Amri bin Abdullah, expressed gratitude for UPM's initiative in collaborating with MPS for this program, which will run for 10 months starting in November. He added that this effort not only helps maintain environmental cleanliness but also raises community awareness about responsible waste oil management. It is hoped that programs like this will inspire other communities in Selangor and across Malaysia to follow suit, creating a broader impact on sustainable waste management.

Taklimat mengenai program dan kepentingan amaln kitar semula minyak masak oleh

Pengarah Program, Dr. Ili Syazana Johari.

Perasmian kiosk Kitar Semula Minyak Masak Terpakai di Taman Idaman Murni, Sepang. Dari kiri, En. Aizat Ikhwan (wakil MPS),

Dr. Ili Syazana Johari, Ustaz Hj. Mohd Amri Abdullah (Pengerusi PPTIM) dan En. Mohd Hafizi Rani (Timb, Pengerusi PPTIM).

Bergambar kenangan bersama sebahagian peserta dan fasilitator program di hadapan kiosk kitar semula minyak masak.

Antara penduduk setempat yang menjual minyak masak terpakai mereka di booth MPS.

Antara aktiviti STEM yang dijalankan bersama kanak-kanak menggunakan bahan kitar semula.

Penerangan oleh wakil MPS berkenaan minyak biodiesel yang dihasilkan dari minyak masak terpakai yang dikitar semula.

Penyampaian hadiah kepada kanak-kanak yang terlibat dengan aktiviti STEM yang dijalankan.

Prepared by: Dr. Ili Syazana Binti Johari 

Date of Input: 21/11/2024 | Updated: 21/11/2024 | hidayahsaleh