Waste (WS)

All food vendors and handlers at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) campus are prohibited from using polystyrene boxes with immediate effect.

Launching the Zero Polystyrene Campus Campaign here effective April 1st, one of the main environmental challenges on campus is the disposal of rubbish with huge quantities of polystyrene, which are not biodegradable. All nine residential colleges with 9,000 residents or the total 15,000 people including staff throw away the polystyrene wrappings  after breakfast or lunch at various bins around campus.

UKM has 7 spring water tube wells which at one time proved crystal-clear natural water. However, waste polystyrene with plastic bags clogged some wells until they became useless with the trash spilling out. Polystyrene is not biodegradable like some wastes and it will pollute the water in the campus area.

The recent water shortage is also linked to the disruption of operations at the Bukit Tampoi wastewater treatment plant for 6 days. Apparently, one factor is the water flowing out of UKM into Sungai Langat has been contaminated with polystyrene which is not easily eliminated.

Although UKM has its own sewage treatment plant, the water discharged into Sungai Langat still contains polystyrene. Therefore, UKM took action to reduce the impact of pollution by prohibiting the use of polystyrene.

Cafeterias and restaurants were invited to help reduce water pollution. All cafes in UKM have received directives from office not to use. Instead they should use biodegradable packaging, or wrap the food for take away.

The use of recycling bins in campus

Production of compost from plant waste, landscaping and waste from college cafeterias

System to reduce use of paper

UKM Regulation banning plastic straws effective 1 April 2019

Separation of food waste in college cafeterias

Towards A Zero Waste Campus

Flow Waste Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

UKM Recycling Center

UKM has a dedicated recycling center situated at the main campus that also serves the surrounding communities. The building itself is designed to be eco-friendly. The main projects implemented are related to waste separation, recycling, composting, legislation, bin monitoring system, biogas and education and awareness of UKM citizens.

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Composting Centre UKM

Compost Fertilizer

The recycling center also prepares various facilities for the optimization of recycled materials.

Other Initiatives

Toxic Waste Treatment

In Malaysia, hazardous waste is defined as scheduled waste. There are 77 types of scheduled wastes listed under the First Schedule of Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005. Scheduled wastes shall be disposed of at prescribed premises only. The National University of Malaysia (UKM) is one of the waste generators.

Loading scheduled waste (chemical waste) to
prescribed premises in Malaysia.

Loading scheduled waste (biological waste) to
prescribed premises in Malaysia.

Containers of scheduled wastes shall be clearly
labeled in accordance with the types applicable to
them as specified in the Environmental Quality
(Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005.

Waste generator shall keep an inventory of scheduled wastes.

Plastic Impact Reduction Program on the Environment Through the 5R Module

The Program to Reduce the Impact of Plastic on the Environment Through the 5R Module is a community program that provides awareness regarding the importance of reducing and encouraging domestic waste recycling activities. Apart from teachers and school students, this program also involves parents and the local community.

Recycling Program With Alam Flora Sdn. Bhd.

The collaboration between UKM and Alam Flora Sdn. Bhd. had shown great participation by UKM community, towards creating recycling culture among Malaysians as this program managed to successfully collect 1330kg of recyclable items.