By Zaki Salleh
MANJUNG: Fostering awareness of environmental sustainability begins at the school level.
This was demonstrated by the Manjung Municipal Council (MPM) and the Manjung District Education Office (PPD Manjung) through the organization of the Manjung District School-Level Used Cooking Oil Collection Competition.
This inaugural programme was held in collaboration with a company that processes biodiesel from used cooking oil, Green Energy Asia (GEA).
The programme successfully attracted participation from 21 schools in the district, collecting a total of 1,756.35 kilograms (kg) of used cooking oil, while RM4,805.94 was channelled back to the schools through a buy-back programme carried out by GEA.
SMK Seri Manjung emerged as the overall champion after collecting 360.75kg of used cooking oil, winning RM500 in cash prizes and a certificate of appreciation.
Meanwhile, SJKC Chung Cheng and SK Kampung Dato’ Seri Kamaruddin secured second and third places respectively, with collections of 252kg and 142.4kg, and received cash prizes of RM300 and RM200 along with certificates.
In the individual category, Nur Amni Nafisah Norhisham from SK Kampong Kota won the competition after collecting 52.86kg of used cooking oil, receiving RM150 and a certificate.
She was followed by Morni Sapuan (SK Kg. Dato’ Seri Kamaruddin) and Normala Moktar (SK Setiawan) in second and third places with collections of 35kg and 22.8kg respectively, taking home cash prizes of RM100 and RM50, along with certificates.
GEA Managing Director Mervyn Cheng said the main objective of the programme was to raise awareness about the proper disposal of used cooking oil.
“This initiative is not only about collecting used cooking oil, but also about preventing water pollution, protecting drainage systems, and turning it into a renewable fuel source such as biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel,” he said.
He also expressed his appreciation to all parties involved in making the programme a success, including students, teachers, parents, and the surrounding community who showed full support for the initiative.
