No plastic, no problem

Students buying drinks at the canteen with reusable containers.

How schools in one Sabah district turned trash into triumph.

A BOLD move by canteen operators to enforce plastic-free practices in five Sabah schools initially drew eye-rolls and resistance.

Months later, however, the Zero Waste Canteen Awareness Programme has become an unlikely success story.

Launched in February last year through a partnership between Zero Waste Sabah and the Tuaran district education office, the initiative targeted plastic pollution at SK Pekan Tamparuli, SK Kauluan Tamparuli, SK Pekan Tuaran, SK Lok Yuk Telipok, and SK Bantayan Tamparuli.

“Schools were sceptical at first,” admitted Ruth Yap, founder of Zero Waste Sabah. “But these five took the leap – and proved it works.”

Some of the plants fertilised using collected compost.

The rules were simple but strict: no plastic utensils, no Styrofoam takeaway boxes and mandatory waste sorting. Students and staff had to bring reusable containers – or go hungry. Early struggles were inevitable.

“Kids kept forgetting containers, and canteen sales plummeted,” Yap said.

Some teachers even boycotted the policy, ordering food delivery instead. Recess chaos ensued as operators juggled rushed students and rigid rules.

But creativity turned the tide. One canteen launched a class competition: the group with the most reusable containers won a cake.

“Suddenly, kids were reminding each other to pack their Tupperware,” Yap laughed.

School gardeners now spend less time picking little and more time planting.

Principals reinforced the message at assemblies, while a two-week “adaptation period” helped streamline operations.

The payoff? SK Pekan Tamparuli slashed its weekly trash from 250 bags to just 20.

School gardeners now spend less time picking litter and more time planting. Students pocket savings from avoided plastic purchases, while reusable containers became lunchbox staples.

“Discipline improved, litter vanished and even reluctant teachers joined in,” Yap noted. “When everyone’s held to the same standard, culture shifts.”

Yap (left) with some of the canteen operators who received certificates of appreciation from the Tuaran district education office.

Key to success was principal Jasni Omar’s leadership at SK Pekan Tamparuli. His team transformed pushback into pride, framing zero-waste habits as collective achievements.

The programme’s wins recently took centre stage at a Tuaran workshop, where 30 canteen operators learned from pioneers.

Panelists shared hacks like bulk food displays to minimise packaging and composting partnerships with local farms.

Containers placed for utensils and food waste.

Dr Mohammad Azman Jongkulin, Tuaran’s education assistant officer, urged broader action: “Kota Kinabalu banned supermarket plastics – why not make reusables our norm too? Schools are the perfect starting point.”

Held during International Zero Waste Month, the event underscored a growing truth: sometimes, tough love – and tough policies – yield the sweetest rewards.