IIUM Towards Eco-friendly Food Packaging

-Long term use of polystyrene foam increases the risk of getting cancer-

"Styrene is a possible human carcinogen"

(WHO International Agency For Research on Cancer)

Friday, 18 July 2008

From now on IIUM will start to use natural palm fiber made food container called the "Eco Pack" in all cafetaria including in all students Mahallah. "It is important for the university to preserve the environment and maintaining good health quality among students and staff of IIUM" said Ust Hamidon, the Deputy Rector of Students and Alumni Affairs.

Research has found that polystyrene can increase cancer risk which is poisonous and takes decades to biodegrade. Therefore, using health safe and eco friendly food packaging can help to preserve natural green environment and toxic free.

IIUM is the third university in Malaysia to implement the use of Eco Pack after USM and UUM was initiated it. There are some complaints that we received regarding this packaging. The complaint is regarding the extra charge of 20sen should be paid when using the Eco Pack. However, for the sake of become healthy, we hope that all IIUM students and staff will understand the reason of changing it.

Here, i would like to give some tips for going Green

(Initiated by Facilities, Food & Services Department,IIUM

in collabration with SRC 07/08)

1. Eat at the cafetaria. Finish your meal
   
2. Use your own reusable food and drink container


3. Save paper. Think before you print. Print on both sides of paper


4. Switch off lights, fans and other electrical equipments when not use


5. Walk, cycle and use public transportation more often


6. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth


7. Don't use screen saver. Turn of blank your monitor when not in use


8. Buy products which you will use for a long time


9. Use electronics facilities to store and read documents
   
10. Practise the 4Rs (REFUSE, REDUCE, REUSE & RECYCLE)

'Say no for Polysterene' :)