With guidance from enthusiastic volunteers, residents join the effort to sort out the recyclables. (Photo by Douglas Lee)
Tzu Chi Singapore’s 16th community recycling point (second in North 3 Zone) was officially opened on 13 Mar 2011.
The new recycling point is situated at the void deck of Block 474 at Choa Chu Kang Avenue 3. The estate comprises of 17 blocks of flats and approximately 3000 residents. The aim of Tzu Chi volunteers and Keat Hong Zone '3' RC was to encourage residents to play a part in protecting the environment through the monthly recycling event.
The message, ‘Protecting the Environment Begins with You’ was communicated to residents through a dialogue session held by both organizations on 24 Oct 2010. To further increase awareness, a total of 27 Tzu Chi volunteers and five RC members went to six blocks of flats in the evening of 8 Mar to inform residents of the new Tzu Chi recycling point.
Going from door to door, they patiently explained the importance of environmental protection and invited residents to join in the upcoming recycling activity.
Mdm Gan, a CCK resident who often volunteers at the Jurong East recycling point, informed that she has to take cabs to the recycling point occasionally due to the huge amount of recyclables that she has been collecting monthly. She is delighted about the new recycling point as she can now cut down her carbon footprints while transporting the recyclables.
In the early morning of 13 Mar, scores of volunteers gathered at the void deck of Block 474 and swiftly set up the sorting area, educational posters stands, DA.AI Technology's garment display booth, and reception area according to plan. Other volunteers were deployed to guide residents who brought recyclable items to the recycling point and to explain the sorting process to them. They were delighted to see some residents stayed on to do their part for recycling.
The recycling point was soon filled with volunteers and residents busy sorting through the recyclables collected. The vibe attracted the attention of more residents passing by; among them was Mdm Yang who was shopping nearby. The resident responded to the cause by asking her friends to send their recyclables to the recycling point and rushed home herself to bring in two huge containers filled with aluminum can tabs. Collecting the tabs since 2007 when she heard they can be made into prosthetic limbs, Mdm Yang has been hoping to donate the tabs to help the needy and was glad to have found the avenue as profits from Tzu Chi's recycling effort are channelled to its bursary programme for needy students.
Tzu Chi volunteer Mary Ng started practicing recycling after learning its importance about a year ago. She has been influencing her family members to sort out their recyclables at home before sending them to the recycling point in their neighbourhood. With the new Tzu Chi recycling point being near her home, she was among the firsts to arrive with her family to help out. When her daughter was asked why is she helping out that day, her immediate answer was a loud and clear ”To protect the Earth!”.
Being a new recycling point in operation for the first time, recyclables collected were manageable and volunteers were able to complete the sorting swiftly and made use of the spare time to share environmental knowledge with the residents. A short educational tour was called with recycling cadre Brother Khor Chin Seng showing the residents through the poster boards and sharing information about Tzu Chi's environmental ideals alongside other missions of Tzu Chi Singapore. Some volunteers also took the opportunity to spread the word about the new recycling point around nearby blocks.
At a corner of the recycling point, a Tzu Chi collegiate youth graduate was attracting much interest as he demonstrated ways to make fruit peel enzymes and gave lively explanation of DA.AI Technology's eco textile production.
Seeing that PET bottles can be converted to make clothes, blankets, bags etc, a curious resident asked one of the volunteers if polystyrene can also be recycled. “Both Polystyrene and plastic are non-biodegradable and polystyrene is not recyclable at all. Hence, we should reduce or refuse the use of polystyrene,” the volunteer replied. The said resident acknowledged the appeal and pledged that he will bring along reusable container and utensils when he goes out in future.
Recognizing the effects of global warming and its worsening impact on weather patterns, Mdm Lim is one resident that has started to advocate domestic recycling to do her part for the planet. She brought her grandchildren to the recycling point that day to understand more about recycling and agreed to participate in the monthly recycling activity regularly. “The Earth is already sick so we should take action now,” she enthused.
Mdm Yong, a resident of Block 473, was seen making multiple trips up and down the stairs transporting heavy electric appliances to the recycling point. Mdm Yong’s mother was a regular patient of the previous Tzu Chi Free Clinic situated in Chinatown. After the clinic’s relocation to Redhill, she lost touch with Tzu Chi and has been looking out for a chance to repay its kindness in the care of her mother. Like an answer to her wish, she is connected with Tzu Chi again through the new recycling point and grasped the opportunity to sign up as a donating member immediately.
That day also saw Mr Kenny Chan Huan Kee, Chairman of Keat Hong Zone '3' RC, leading five of his committee members to join in the sorting work. Mr Chan mentioned that his RC has been regularly organizing small scale exhibitions and seminars with the National Environmental Agency (NEA) to increase environmental awareness amongst its residents. Thus, when Tzu Chi Singapore brought up the proposal to set up a recycling point in the neighbourhood, his RC agreed readily and helped identify the current location.
Mr Chan was pleased to witness the active participation of his residents that day and said that he will make known the monthly green event to other RCs to involve more residents in the environment-saving effort.
Volunteers going from door-to-door to invite residents to take part in the event. (Photo by Douglas Lee)
Residents paying attention to the volunteers' introduction of the DA.AI Technology eco creations. (Photo by Edna Tay)
The new recycling point is near volunteer Mary Ng’s (right) home, and she brought her family with her to help with the recycling. (Photo by Douglas Lee)
Mr Kenny Chan Huan Kee, Chairman of Keat Hong Zone '3' RC, also participated in the recycling activity by collecting old newspapers from households above the new recycling point. (Photo by Douglas Lee)
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