Deputy Plantations and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin has stated that Sabah has the potential to significantly contribute to biomass and biofuel development, reported The Star.
However, he noted that due to limited awareness, Sabah ranks among the lowest contributors of used cooking oil (UCO) in the country. This observation was made during the Fryer 2 Flyer campaign held on Saturday, August 3.
To enhance user participation in recycling used cooking oil for sustainability, recycling, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad (PDB) launched the “Fryer 2 Flyer” campaign in July of the previous year. This initiative involves selected gas stations collecting UCO, and it is a collaborative effort with the Plantations and Commodities Ministry.
Chan mentioned that individuals who bring their UCO receive RM2.50 per kg in Sabah. This rate is lower than in the peninsula due to the ongoing subsidies on oil and fuel in Sabah.
He also suggested that, similar to the City Hall’s recent plastic bag reduction campaign starting August 1, a by-law for used cooking oil could be introduced. He proposed that the City Hall, which is considering a by-law for plastic bag usage, should also contemplate a by-law for used cooking oil disposal and recycling to help Kota Kinabalu progress towards becoming a low-carbon city.
For PETRONAS, the collected UCO can be converted into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which has a value three times higher than regular aviation fuel. The City Hall, as a partner in this campaign, will support sustainable living efforts in the city.
PETRONAS aims to collect approximately 500,000 kg of UCO with the participation of over 100,000 users nationwide by the end of the year. In Sabah, UCO collection is available at only two PETRONAS fuel stations—Jalan Utara Tawau and Batu 8 Labuk, Sandakan—with collection services limited to Sundays.
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