PASIR GUDANG, Oct 3 – Two lecturers from the Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), shared their expertise on composting and microplastics with local residents during the Program Kemampanan Komuniti Bandar (PKKB): Karnival Komuniti Madani @ Taman Bistari Perdana, organised by SWCorp Johor at Dewan Muafakat Taman Bistari Perdana.

Dr. Huszalina Hussin and Ts. Dr. Fariza Hanim Suhailin, senior lecturers from the Department of Biosciences and Department of Physics, respectively, delivered interactive pocket talks on sustainable living.

Dr. Huszalina’s talk, “Kompos Semudah 1, 2, 3!”, demonstrated how household food scraps and garden waste can be turned into nutrient-rich compost. She shared practical tips for starting and maintaining home composting, encouraging families to reduce food waste. Her session complemented the distribution of 200 community compost kits during the programme. She also leads community composting and urban agriculture initiatives, including the Iskandar Puteri Agriculturalist Community (IPAC), which participated in the carnival’s exhibition.

“Don’t throw away your food waste at home. Let’s make compost at home instead, it’s really that easy,” said Dr. Huszalina.

Meanwhile, Ts. Dr. Fariza Hanim’s talk, “Bijak Plastik”, raised awareness about single-use plastics and microplastic pollution. She explained that plastics break down into particles smaller than 5 mm, which can enter food and drinking water, particularly through seafood. She encouraged residents to use reusable shopping bags and metal water bottles, choose plastic-free packaging and recycle plastic bottles. She also highlighted UTM’s microplastics research, including school awareness campaigns, membrane filters and advanced detection methods, alongside her work on biopolymer materials to remove microplastics from water.

“Please avoid using single use plastic. Bring a reusable bag when you shop for your daily needs at the market, and bring a tumbler from home so you don’t need a plastic cup at the shop. Microplastics are our enemy, and this pollutant can harm our health,” said Ts. Dr. Fariza Hanim.

The carnival was officiated by the Chairman of the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp), Hee Loy Sian. Also present were Director of SWCorp Johor, Zainal Fitri Ahmad, and Deputy Secretary of Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG), Abd Majid Sapihe, representing the Mayor, alongside government agency representatives, strategic partners, community leaders and residents.

SWCorp also presented a sustainable grinder machine developed by Dr. Huszalina to process food waste into organic fertiliser. The machine offers a practical way to reduce household waste and apply the composting knowledge shared during the programme.

UTM’s participation reflects its commitment to community engagement and knowledge transfer, supporting more sustainable practices and the Bandar Bersih Johor 2030 vision. The initiative also contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.