KUALA NERUS, 24 May 2025 – A sustainable initiative that involved the local community in the collection and resale of used cooking oil was successfully carried out as a proactive step to protect the environment and generate additional income for the community.

The programme, organised by Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), encouraged residents in housing areas and operators of food premises to contribute used cooking oil, which was later sold to processing companies to be turned into other environmentally friendly products.

According to the programme director, Dr Ahmad Shauqi Mohamad Zubir, the initiative was intended to not only help reduce water pollution caused by the disposal of oil into sinks, but also to provide cash returns to the community through a used oil buy-back system.

“Cooking oil poured down the drain could pollute rivers and disrupt the drainage system. Through this programme, the community was able not only to care for the environment but also to earn additional income,” he said during the launch of the Projek Santuni Komuniti, which involved several villages including Kampung Wakaf Tengah, Kampung Mengabang Telipot, and Kampung Pengkalan Maras.

He added that the effort also supported the globally outlined Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving natural resources for future generations.

The programme, organised by the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Development (FPEPS) of UMT in collaboration with the local Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK), managed to collect over 900 kilogrammes of used cooking oil, resulting in cash returns totalling RM2,250 at a rate of RM2.50 per kilogramme.

A colouring competition for children, themed around recyclable materials, was also held alongside sharing sessions on pollution and environmental issues, as an early step towards instilling the value of environmental awareness among children.

Meanwhile, Associate Professor Dr Safwan Mohd Nor, the programme coordinator, stated that he also planned to expand the programme to other areas and work with schools and NGOs to raise awareness among the younger generation about the importance of sustainable waste management.