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The Design and Implementation of a System to Combat Plastic Pollution in University Cafeterias

Received: 21 October 2025     Accepted: 30 December 2025     Published: 9 January 2026
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Abstract

This is an innovative project aimed at developing a method to reduce or eliminate altogether single-use plastics in two cafeterias on Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam campus. It is an effort to combat plastic pollution in the environment, which studies indicate is an increasing health and environmental concern. The methodology employed in this innovative project involves three main stages: firstly, the selection of an environmental issue that should be addressed. A survey among 214 participants in the university clearly identified plastic pollution as one that needed the most attention as well as a problem that could be resolved. Secondly, the implementation of two disposable plastic-free cafeterias which succeeded in reducing single-use plastic significantly, attesting to the fact that plastic pollution is indeed a problem that can be resolved. Finally, the formulation of a standard operating procedure (SOP) which contains steps to achieve a single-use plastic-free cafeteria. The significance of the project is the development of a system that could be replicated by food operators in all UiTM campuses and other institutions to become plastic-free eateries. The study ends with a recommendation that this SOP be adopted by all cafeterias throughout the country. The reduction in the use of plastics will help our Mother Earth sustain life.

Published in Social Sciences (Volume 15, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ss.20261501.12
Page(s) 7-15
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Plastic Pollution, Ocean Pollution, Single-use Plastics, Cafeterias

References
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[6] Dewan, A. (2024, April 22). The world dumps 2,000 truck-loads of plastic into the ocean each day. Here’s where a lot of it ends up. CNN.
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[10] Jaafar, I, Ibrahim, T. Z., Mat Ila, N. H., Mohd Zaki, N. S. (2017). Waste audit in UMT campus: Generation and management of waste in cafeteria and food kiosk. Journal of BIMP-EAGA Regional Development Vol. 3(1).
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[12] Leslie, H. A., Van Veizen, M. J. M., Brandsma S. H., Vethaak, A. D., Garcia-Vallejo J. J. & Lamoree M. H. (2022). Discovery and quantification of plastic particle pollution in human blood. Environment International. 163 (2022) 107199.
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[17] Noor, N. S., Yahaya, N., Mohamad Zain, N. N., Nik Momahad Kamal, N. N. S, Mansor, M. S., Aziz, M. Y. & Nasution Waras, M. (2024). Microplastic polluton in Malaysia: Status and challenges – a brief overview. Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences, 28(3), 569-585.
[18] Nyavor-Akporyo, A. B., Kutsanedzie, F., Achio, S., Nyame-Tawiah, V., Appiah Gyekye, L. & Mensah, E. (2013). Alternative way of managing plastic waste on campuses, International Journal of Development and Sustainability, Vol. 2(3), 2176-2187.
[19] Pushan, Z. A., Rahman, E., Islam, N. & Aich, N. (2022). A critical review of the emerging research on the detection and assessment of microplastic pollution in the coastal, marine and urban Bangladesh. Frontiers of Environmental Science and Engineering. 16(10), 128 (2022).
[20] Ragusa, A., Svelato, A., Santacroce, C., Catalano, P., Notarstefano, V., Carnevali, O., Giorgini, E. (2021). Plasticenta: First evidence of microplastics in human placenta. Environment International 146 (2021) 106274.
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Dass, L. C., Anuar, M., Hasan, H. R., Ebenezer, J. S. (2026). The Design and Implementation of a System to Combat Plastic Pollution in University Cafeterias. Social Sciences, 15(1), 7-15. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20261501.12

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    ACS Style

    Dass, L. C.; Anuar, M.; Hasan, H. R.; Ebenezer, J. S. The Design and Implementation of a System to Combat Plastic Pollution in University Cafeterias. Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(1), 7-15. doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20261501.12

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    AMA Style

    Dass LC, Anuar M, Hasan HR, Ebenezer JS. The Design and Implementation of a System to Combat Plastic Pollution in University Cafeterias. Soc Sci. 2026;15(1):7-15. doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20261501.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ss.20261501.12,
      author = {Laura Christ Dass and Mazura Anuar and Hadayat Rahmah Hasan and Jebakumari Selvarani Ebenezer},
      title = {The Design and Implementation of a System to Combat Plastic Pollution in University Cafeterias},
      journal = {Social Sciences},
      volume = {15},
      number = {1},
      pages = {7-15},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ss.20261501.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20261501.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ss.20261501.12},
      abstract = {This is an innovative project aimed at developing a method to reduce or eliminate altogether single-use plastics in two cafeterias on Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam campus. It is an effort to combat plastic pollution in the environment, which studies indicate is an increasing health and environmental concern. The methodology employed in this innovative project involves three main stages: firstly, the selection of an environmental issue that should be addressed. A survey among 214 participants in the university clearly identified plastic pollution as one that needed the most attention as well as a problem that could be resolved. Secondly, the implementation of two disposable plastic-free cafeterias which succeeded in reducing single-use plastic significantly, attesting to the fact that plastic pollution is indeed a problem that can be resolved. Finally, the formulation of a standard operating procedure (SOP) which contains steps to achieve a single-use plastic-free cafeteria. The significance of the project is the development of a system that could be replicated by food operators in all UiTM campuses and other institutions to become plastic-free eateries. The study ends with a recommendation that this SOP be adopted by all cafeterias throughout the country. The reduction in the use of plastics will help our Mother Earth sustain life.},
     year = {2026}
    }
    

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    T1  - The Design and Implementation of a System to Combat Plastic Pollution in University Cafeterias
    AU  - Laura Christ Dass
    AU  - Mazura Anuar
    AU  - Hadayat Rahmah Hasan
    AU  - Jebakumari Selvarani Ebenezer
    Y1  - 2026/01/09
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    SN  - 2326-988X
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20261501.12
    AB  - This is an innovative project aimed at developing a method to reduce or eliminate altogether single-use plastics in two cafeterias on Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam campus. It is an effort to combat plastic pollution in the environment, which studies indicate is an increasing health and environmental concern. The methodology employed in this innovative project involves three main stages: firstly, the selection of an environmental issue that should be addressed. A survey among 214 participants in the university clearly identified plastic pollution as one that needed the most attention as well as a problem that could be resolved. Secondly, the implementation of two disposable plastic-free cafeterias which succeeded in reducing single-use plastic significantly, attesting to the fact that plastic pollution is indeed a problem that can be resolved. Finally, the formulation of a standard operating procedure (SOP) which contains steps to achieve a single-use plastic-free cafeteria. The significance of the project is the development of a system that could be replicated by food operators in all UiTM campuses and other institutions to become plastic-free eateries. The study ends with a recommendation that this SOP be adopted by all cafeterias throughout the country. The reduction in the use of plastics will help our Mother Earth sustain life.
    VL  - 15
    IS  - 1
    ER  - 

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