By Ts. ChM. Dr. Faizuan Abdullah

Every year, nearly 50,000 tons of used cooking oil (UCO) are not managed properly, causing pollution that hurts the environment and requires high management costs from local authorities. The Klang Municipal Council (MPK) reportedly spent more than RM6 million in 2016 to clear blocked drains caused by cooking oil that had frozen in the pipeline from the house. A recent study of residents in Pasir Gudang, Johor was reported in the Journal of Critical Reviews in 2020, a survey conducted on used cooking oil among consumers in Pasir Gudang showed that many consumers are unaware that used cooking oil can be recycled. Only 7.6% of consumers recycle their used cooking oil. The remaining 92.4% disposed of the UCO into the sink, drain, or trash bin.

Biodiesel manufacturing from UCO offers an alternative energy source for creating liquid fuels from biomass for various applications. In India, 27 billion liters of cooking oil are consumed annually, of which 1.4 billion liters of UCO can be collected from bulk consumers such as hotels, restaurants, and canteens for conversion, yielding approximately 1.1 billion liters of biodiesel.

In Malaysia, communities have lacked efficient options for managing UCO sales, relying solely on biodiesel companies for collection without adequate facilities. The Oil2Wang™ project addresses this issue by introducing a smart, sustainable technology for UCO collection. This solar-powered, self-service kiosk can collect up to 1 metric ton of UCO, offering a convenient solution near community locations. Users can easily prepare their UCO by cooling, filtering, and storing it in glass or plastic bottles before bringing at least 1 kg to the kiosk. The innovative system uses IoT technology to process payments, transferring funds to the user’s Oil2Wang™ account within 24 hours of collection. This streamlined process not only facilitates proper UCO disposal but also creates a direct link between communities and biodiesel companies, promoting efficient recycling and environmental sustainability.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) researchers have patented Oil2Wang™, an innovative solution designed to streamline the recycling of UCO. This interdisciplinary project, developed by experts in chemistry, robotics, and architecture at UTM, aims to simplify the process for individuals and communities to contribute to UCO recycling efforts. Oil2Wang™ has also been licensed for commercialization to Pure Aims Technologies Sdn. Bhd, a UTM spin-off company led by Ts. ChM. Dr. Faizuan Abdullah. Oil2Wang™ achieved significant recognition, earning a Gold award and the Special Community Award at the 25th Industrial Art & Technology Exhibition (INATEX) in October 2023. The following year, it continued its success by winning a Gold Medal and the Japan Intellectual Properties Association’s Special Award for Best Environment Innovation.

The Oil2Wang™ technology has gained significant support, with the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) Johor and the Malaysian Petroleum Resources Corporation (MPRC) backing its development. The first operational kiosk has been successfully installed at Surau Flora in Taman Pulai Flora, Skudai, Johor.

This initiative aligns with Malaysia’s broader environmental goals, as demonstrated by the government’s launch of the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). The NETR represents a crucial step in accelerating Malaysia’s green and sustainable growth agenda, providing a comprehensive plan for the country’s path towards a cleaner, brighter, and more resilient future. This roadmap, in harmony with the MADANI Economic framework, showcases Malaysia’s commitment to future generations and its determination to tackle current environmental challenges.

Edited by Ts. Nur Suzana Adlizan Jasni