Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) through the Student Affairs Section (SAS), organised ‘Sustainability @ UBD Initiative: Plastic Re-Imagined’ as part of its ongoing effort to support the UBD Sustainability Masterplan and promote environmental awareness within the university community.
The programme introduced practical approaches to recycling, particularly in plastic waste management. Addressing the growing issue of plastic pollution, the initiative encouraged participants to view plastic as a resource that can be reduced, reused, and repurposed through innovation and behavioural change.
Led in collaboration with local youth organisation Vil-Laju! Brunei, the session highlighted both the scale of plastic pollution and the potential for innovative solutions. Discussions covered everyday recycling habits, the importance of waste segregation, and how emerging approaches such as upcycling and 3D printing can extend the life cycle of plastic materials.
To gain insight on the current scene of plastic waste disposals, Nabilah Assyahirah Norman, UBD Alumni, Co-Founder and Executive Producer of Vil-Laju! Brunei delivered the Environmental Awareness Talk where she shared her research and impressions on the different categories of recycling bins and the accessibility of recycling bottle machines found abroad.
The programme featured interactive activities that provided hands-on experience in waste segregation and reinforced sustainability concepts. The activities include Arahan Kitar Semula (Instruction Impossible) where groups were instructed to brainstorm the correct ways of recycling plastic bottles in four steps within a time limit; Bahagi Plastic (Sort the Plastic Bottle) challenged players to hunt and gather plastic bottles within the vicinity and sort the pieces according to parts with speed; and Tempo Kitani: Green Campus opened a roundtable discussion where participants identify a sustainability issue and offer solutions according to the scenarios.
One participant shared that throughout the activities, he realised how the impact of ‘small’ bad habits could lead to a bigger consequence in the future, “It opened my eyes to how important it is to properly dispose of waste according to the category, as well as the negative impact it could cause if we don’t take initiative in our actions”. He added, “With the new knowledge I’ve gained, I realised how much opportunity (recycling plastic) opens in terms of innovation, community outreach and business ideas”.
Beyond a single event, the initiative reflects a broader effort to build more sustainable habits within the community. By focusing on practical knowledge and behaviour change, it aims to make sustainability more accessible and actionable in everyday life.
Aligned with Wawasan Brunei 2035 and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and 13 (Climate Action), the programme contributes to increased awareness, stronger engagement in sustainability efforts, and the development of a greener UBD community.
For more details on upcoming events or student resources, visit UBD’s official website or Instagram at @ubdbuzz @studentaffairsubd