05/03/2021
DON’T THROW AWAY YOUR USED COOKING OIL!
What happens to the oil used for frying? Judging by the amount of fried foods that Malaysians like at pasar malam (night markets), food trucks, restaurants, there is a lot. Nandasiri was pondering this when he had a chance meeting with a representative from a company that recycles used cooking oil into biofuel. The company, Fathopes Energy has now many collection centres, one of the newest is in Langkawi. Nandasiri was intrigued and elated to learn of this technology and delved further in long discussions with them. He found out that the biofuel produced has many uses. The main use is as biodiesel, a clean alternative to diesel. Others include its lesser known usages such as oil-spill clean-up and fuel for generators.
Nandasiri managers budget room accommodations in Langkawi Art Village at Pantai Cenang. Prior to that he was also in homestay management. Being in Langkawi for more than 5 years, he has experienced much beauty and tranquility, especially in the islands and beaches. But he has also noticed that due to increased human activities, much of it indiscriminate, Langkawi’s environment is greatly challenged. Each morning, plastic debris washes up on the beaches, get stuck in fishermen’s nets and crevices of the rocks that lined some of the shores, a sight for sore eyes. The city council cleaners work hard to remove much waste but it piles up again each day. He is glad that NGOs such as Trash Hero, Langkawi chapter has a dedicated leader and enthusiastic members who do beach clean-ups regularly and also run programs to educate the public. Some F&B operators have begun to replace plastic straws with metal straws with the support of its patrons.
Referring back to used cooking oil, Nandasiri had a Eureka moment! He believes that this is one way he can contribute to maintain a cleaner environment. In order to try to stop as much oil being poured down the sink and sewage or nearby drains which will pollute the environment, encourage rodents, clog up drainage system and will in some way or other end up in the rivers and sea, he is now authorized to collect used cooking oil for recycling, on behalf of Fathopes Energy and at the same time, educate and create awareness of the need to safely discard the used cooking oil.
In this way, he is providing the ‘missing link’ between the cooking oil users and the cooking oil recyclers. Help keep Langkawi GREEN