THE number of participating schools in a used cooking oil collection competition on Penang island increased by 45.3% last year.
A total of 76 schools took part and collected 11,624.50kg, said Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk A. Rajendran.
He said the programme, introduced to schools in 2024, had shown progress in promoting the circular economy and waste segregation at source.
“In its inaugural year, 53 schools took part and collected 7,332.65kg of used cooking oil.
“The increase in participation and collection volume last year showed that efforts to educate the community on sustainable waste management are bearing fruit,” Rajendran said in his speech during the launch of the Green School Award and Used Cooking Oil Collection Competition 2026 at MBPP Town Hall in George Town.
He said every litre of used cooking oil collected helped prevent pollution of drains and waterways while contributing towards carbon emission reduction and supporting low-carbon development goals.
MBPP was targeting the participation of 100 schools each in both programmes this year.
The mayor said the city council had adopted a more integrated approach by combining both events under a single platform.
Rajendran said the Green School Award programme, introduced in 2010, had grown from 24 schools at its launch to 45 schools in 2025.
He said the programme was assessed based on four criteria: efficient use of natural resources, innovation and creativity, cleanliness and greening initiatives as well as digitalisation and community engagement.
Rajendran also highlighted the achievements of Penang schools at the national level, noting that 11 schools from the state had participated in the Sustainable School – Environment Award that was organised by the Environment Department.
Out of the total, three schools – SK Tanjung Bunga, SJK(C) Chong Teik and SMK Perempuan Mutiara – advanced to the final stage.
“This achievement demonstrates that environmental education and sustainability programmes implemented in schools are producing meaningful results,” he added.
Earlier, 70 school representatives attended a briefing by MBPP zero carbon executive officer Xavier Sebastian.
He said schools played a vital role in shaping environmentally conscious future generations.
“We want to cultivate a generation that is responsible and committed to environmental sustainability.
“This requires schools to take the lead in fostering awareness and encouraging lasting behavioural change.”
He said sustainability efforts must not be treated as isolated initiatives.
Xavier added that schools were uniquely positioned to act as agents of change by embedding environmental consciousness into students’ daily lives and helping build a culture of sustainability within the wider community.
