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.