UniMPAP bans polystyrene, plastic straws in campus

Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) is banning the use of polystyrene and plastic straws at its campus effective Jan 1 next year, said its Chancellor, the Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail.

He said a fine of RM300 would be imposed on the errant ones.

The ban will be imposed as part of an effort to help preserve the environment, he said when leading a visit by UniMAP Students’ Representative Council (MPP) to a jewellery factory, ‘Gassan Diamonds’ in Amsterdam recently.

Accompanying Tuanku Syed Faizuddin were his daughter Puteri Sharifah Farah Adriana Jamalullail, UniMAP vice-chancellor Prof Zul Azhar Zahid Jamal and its deputy vice-chancellor Prof Mohd Fo’ad Sakdan.

Meanwhile, Zul Azhar said the campaign against the use of polystyrene has been carried out by the university since a long time ago.

Besides polystyrene and plastic straw, he said, UniMAP had also been active in promoting sustainable practices, including reducing the use of disposable plastic and to separate their garbage for recycling.

Zul Azhar said the separation of food waste at the cafeteria for use as compost was also carried out.

Students are encouraged to bring their own food containers when buying food, he said, adding that these practices were hoped to be able to make the students more aware of the need to protect the environment.

- Bernama