UCO School Competition Turns Waste into Value in Kota Kinabalu

28 August 2025

KOTA KINABALU: A new Used Cooking Oil (UCO) Collection Competition has been launched for schools in Kota Kinabalu, turning household waste into an opportunity for environmental education, recycling, and community action.

Organised by the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities in collaboration with the Kota Kinabalu Parliamentary Service Centre, Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK), and JCI Kota Kinabalu, the competition runs from 28 August to 27 October 2025 and is open to both primary and secondary schools.

Attractive cash prizes await the winners, with RM1,000 for first place, RM800 for second, and RM500 for third in each school category.

Kaven Lee Seng Vui, Private Secretary to the Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities and Chief Liaison Officer for Kota Kinabalu Parliament, said the initiative aims to instil good waste management practices while highlighting the economic and environmental value of recycling.

“Used cooking oil should not be treated as waste. When collected properly, it prevents clogged drains and pollution, while also supporting the circular economy through biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel production,” Lee said.

He added that the competition also helps nurture a green culture among students, teachers, and the wider community, demonstrating that responsible waste management can contribute to Malaysia’s broader sustainability goals, including its target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Beyond protecting the environment, Lee stressed that the competition shows young people how recycling can generate additional income and create shared responsibility across households and schools.

“This is about teaching the next generation that what we call rubbish may, in fact, have value. By turning used oil into a resource, we are building discipline, responsibility, and environmental awareness in our communities,” he said.