KKTSS USM DIRECTOR’S OFFICE HANDS OVER 300 SUSTAINABILITY BAGS TO USM HEALTH CENTRE

NIBONG TEBAL, 14 October 2026 - The Director’s Office of Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus (KKTSS), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), handed over 300 sustainability bags to the USM Health Centre through the Banner to Bag (B2B) initiative to promote the reuse of discarded materials.

The B2B initiative transforms used banners from various campus programmes and activities into reusable bags, helping to reduce waste and support sustainable practices.

Campus Director, Professor Ir. Dr. Mariatti Jaafar @ Mustapha, explained that the initiative began with efforts to collect used banners from student programmes and academic schools to be repurposed into reusable bags.

She also expressed her appreciation to the University Sustainability Office (PKU) for its support in making the initiative a success.

According to her, 400 bags had previously been distributed to several district health offices and health clinics for patients collecting their medication. Patients were also encouraged to bring the bags back when collecting their medication during subsequent visits.

Meanwhile, USM Health Centre Director, Dr. Ahmad Zaimi Abdul Latiff, welcomed the B2B initiative, describing it as a good idea with potential for implementation at the USM Health Centre to encourage the reuse of discarded materials and support the university’s sustainability agenda.

Director of the University Sustainability Office, ChM Dr. Normaliza Abdul Manaf, also expressed her support for the initiative, noting its alignment with the Bring Your Own Bag practice, which encourages bag reuse and reduces reliance on new bags.

She added that B2B supports Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12), which focuses on Responsible Consumption and Production, as well as the circular economy principle of reusing materials to reduce waste.

She also expressed support for the request for additional financial allocation to ensure the project can continue and be expanded in the future.

During the same sharing session, Senior Assistant Registrar of the KKTSS Director’s Office, Mohd Kamil Ashar, shared updates on the B2B initiative, including its implementation, progress and other related projects.

He also highlighted other sustainability initiatives being undertaken by the KKTSS Director’s Office, including the Santai Sihat Programme, which has entered its second phase, and the Laman Lestari Project, which involves planting flowering plants and herbs around the office.

Text: Nor Hidayati Zolkornian (Industrial Trainee, Director’s Office) / Photo: Muhammad Taufik Abdul Rahman