Kota Kinabalu: SK St. Catherine (M), Kota Kinabalu, is strengthening environmental education through a Used Cooking Oil Soap-Making Workshop aimed at promoting recycling and responsible resource use.
Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG) chairman Dr. Jain Yassin said the school’s aspiration to become a Zero-Waste School goes beyond waste reduction and supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He said waste could be transformed into products with practical and economic value while teaching students about sustainability, entrepreneurship and the circular economy.
“Our aspiration is to make SK St. Catherine a school that not only teaches students about environmental protection, but also embraces sustainability as part of the school’s culture,” he said.
Held on October 3, the workshop brought together teachers, PIBG committee members and parents at the school premises.
The hands-on session was conducted by Vellarry Yong of Oupus Organics, with participants learning how to turn used cooking oil into soap while observing proper handling and safety procedures.
The programme also introduced a ‘Zero Plastic’ initiative, with participants using their own food containers and water bottles.
The initiative will be adopted for future school programmes as part of efforts to reduce single-use plastics.
The workshop highlighted how simple actions, such as recycling used cooking oil, can create practical value while contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
