CHIEF Minister Chow Kon Yeow today launched the pilot Tiffin Project (Eco-Friendly Lunchbox Programme) at SJK (C) Union, describing it as a meaningful initiative held in conjunction with World Environment Day and Teachers’ Day.
He praised Pertubuhan Wanita Mutiara Pulau Pinang (PWMPP) for spearheading the initiative and commended Union Primary for serving as the pioneer school in the collaboration.
“The programme has a dual focus on education and sustainability.
“This collaboration demonstrates how schools, community organisations and civil society can work together to promote sustainability and inspire positive behavioural change,” he said.
Chow noted that Union Primary, which will celebrate its centenary in 2028, has long been committed to environmental education and green campus initiatives.
“The school continues to set an example for others by nurturing environmentally conscious and community-minded students,” he said.
Union Primary won the 13th Penang Island City Council Green School Award in 2024 and the Penang Green Council Green School Award in 2025. The school has also adopted solar energy, smart water-saving systems, vertical gardens, zero-waste practices and maintains an aquaponics system.
Also present at the launch were his wife and PWMPP president Madam Tan Lean Kee, Union School Board of Directors chairman Tan Sri Ong Gim Huat, Penang Education Department deputy director (PPD Planning and Management Sector) Mohamad Zawawi Ahmad, North East District Education Officer Baharuddin Hashim, SJK (C) principal Loh Meng Yim, assistant principal Lee Yin Yin and Water Watch Penang president Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Chan Ngai Weng.
The Tiffin Project encourages students and teachers to use reusable lunchboxes, reducing reliance on single-use plastics while fostering lifelong habits of environmental responsibility.
Chow said the initiative aligns with Penang’s green development agenda, with enhanced measures to reduce single-use plastics set to take effect on Sept 1 this year.
“By adopting reusable food containers, we not only reduce waste but also cultivate in our children a sense of responsibility to cherish resources and protect the environment,” he said.
He added that the programme embodies Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles and supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including quality education, responsible consumption and production, sustainable communities and climate action.
“Sustainability does not begin in boardrooms alone — it begins in our schools. When values are nurtured early, they shape behaviours that extend into families and communities, creating a lasting positive impact on society,” he said.
Chow expressed hope that the initiative would serve as a model for other schools in Penang and encourage broader participation from parents, educators and the community in promoting environmental sustainability.
He also extended his appreciation to all teachers, wishing them a Happy Teachers’ Day.
Meanwhile, Tan said that although many people may regard it as a simple tiffin project, the initiative is the culmination of a journey that began several years ago.
Since the end of 2024, she said PWMPP has actively championed the “Say No to Single-Use Plastic, Bring Your Own Container” movement.
“Together with our partners, local authorities, communities, hawker centres and coffee shop operators, we have organised more than 15 community-based tiffin campaigns across Penang, encouraging the public to reduce dependency on single-use plastic food packaging.
“Throughout these programmes, we learned an important lesson. Real change does not happen through awareness campaigns alone. Lasting change begins with education.
“That realisation inspired us to bring the Tiffin Project into schools, because schools are where values are nurtured, habits are formed, and future leaders are shaped,” she said.
Tan said PWMPP was honoured to collaborate with Union Primary, a school that shares the same vision of cultivating environmentally responsible future generations.
As part of the programme, every teacher received a tiffin set as a token of appreciation for Teachers’ Day, while all pupils were also presented with a similar set.
“More importantly, the tiffin set symbolises our hope that teachers will become ambassadors of sustainable living, leading by example and inspiring students through their daily actions.
“We believe children are powerful agents of change.
“This is the simple philosophy behind our project: schools influence students, students influence families and families influence communities,” she added.
In his speech, Mohamad Zawawi congratulated Union Primary for being selected as the first school for the pilot project and commended its commitment to sustainability initiatives.
He said the Tiffin Project is not only significant in reducing the use of single-use plastics in schools but also in instilling a culture of environmental stewardship among students.
“I hope this pilot project will serve as a model for other schools across Penang to emulate,” he said.
Ong said environmental protection is no longer merely a local issue but a global responsibility, especially as climate change, pollution and excessive waste continue to pose pressing challenges.
“As an educational institution, Union Primary School wholeheartedly supports the state’s green agenda. We believe meaningful environmental education should begin at an early age.
“Therefore, our school’s Parent-Teacher Association, in collaboration with Pertubuhan Wanita Mutiara Pulau Pinang, has proudly launched the Eco-Friendly Lunchbox Programme,” he said.
He said the school hopes the use of reusable lunchboxes will instil positive habits that students will carry throughout their lives.
“We want our children to understand that every small action matters. By reducing waste, conserving resources and making environmentally responsible choices, they can contribute to protecting our planet for future generations,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association, Prof Patricia Chung said that while parents naturally hope their children will excel academically and succeed in life, it is equally important to nurture them into responsible, ethical and environmentally conscious individuals.
“Often, the people who influence adults the most are their children. When a child reminds a parent to reduce plastic usage or encourages grandparents to bring their own tiffin, such advice is usually more readily accepted.
“For this reason, I firmly believe that children are our best environmental ambassadors,” she said.
Chung added that many people may not realise that using single-use plastic containers for hot food can pose certain health risks.
“The use of reusable tiffin containers not only helps reduce plastic waste but also promotes healthier and safer eating habits,” she said.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Alissala Thian