Volunteers let the student participants try sorting out recyclables with one hand so they can better appreciate and understand the importance of waste reduction. (Photo by Teh Siau Tong)
Since September, Singapore has been affected by the haze originating from the Indonesian forest fires. The Singapore PSI reading even reached a high of 300, which is in the hazardous range. The acrid smell of burning hung in the air and there were no clear skies to speak of; people donned face masks outdoors and the government even announced the closure of schools across the island for a day.
It is clear from the above that whether it concerns our air, water or living environment, these elements have a deep impact on our lives. The concept of going green is not new, yet in reality many people only pay lip service and do not actually engage in environmentally friendly practices. This is worrying as the state of health of our earth is a topic of utmost urgency.
A number of teachers and a hundred students who were participating in the Round Square International Conference 2015 hosted by the United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA) visited the Tzu Chi Eco-Awareness Centre on 5 October 2015. Hailing from ten countries, the students explored the topic of sustainable operations, and learned how cutting down on resource consumption is the foundation of sustainability.
Apart from watching an introductory video on the missions of Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore), participants also viewed a short video entitled, “Nature is Speaking”, which brought across the message that the earth does not need mankind; rather, it is mankind’s survival that depends on the earth, and so we must cherish our planet.
During the interactive segment, students were divided into three teams where Tzu Chi volunteers explained to them what they needed to know.
Activity coordinator Suzan Tan, who is a senior Tzu Chi recycling volunteer, took pains to explain that the objective of the visit was to let students understand how to implement sustainability measures in their daily lives, and what the 5Rs (refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, recycle) are in the hope that they would return to the simple life.
Recycling With One Hand
The materials to be sorted for recycling lay in untidy piles and the students were asked to sort them out with only one hand. They had to sort the PET bottles, bottle caps, and paper labels out into separate piles. They also had to flatten the bottles, cut out stickers from plastic bags, or remove the coloured portions from them. Everyone cooperated with each other to complete the task with care.
Fourteen-year-old student Brianna Mendes from the Bermuda Islands exclaimed that it was tiring to use just one hand. She was not normally aware that she needed both hands to accomplish many tasks. The exercise made her realise that one should not throw things away at every turn.
Selma Larsson from Finland said that working with just one hand made her think of the ailing earth. She commented that if humans were living on a healthy earth, they would not need to worry about problems, such as deforestation and rising sea levels.
Vegetarianism is Good for the Earth and Our Bodies
Tzu Chi had specially arranged for a vegetarian lunch to be served at noon, and many of the students had also brought along their own utensils and meal boxes on the encouragement of their teachers. This was a new experience for many of them. Initially, they only took a little of what was served, but after trying some, they discovered that the food was really quite palatable and went back for second helpings.
“It’s really good, and noodles, which is my favourite, was on the menu,” said Andrew Jang, who is from South Korea. He is a member of the Green Fingers committee in his school and shared that his campus had in place a “meatless day” once a month during which only vegetarian foods are made available. He admitted that he was a meat lover, but after learning that the same amount of resources used in the production of 1kg of meat could actually produce 20kg of rice, he felt that he should cut down on his consumption of meat. This was not only good for one’s health but also good for the earth.
“20 kg of rice can feed everyone here today, but not 1kg of meat. I’ll try my best to eat less meat,” said Jang. He also expressed appreciation for Tzu Chi in imparting the correct knowledge on sorting and recycling, remarking that the information about environmental issues and conservation contained in the posters on display is very relevant to individuals, families, as well as educational institutions. He felt that everyone should have such knowledge and hoped that more students would be able to pick up the information.
Environmental Protection Starts from the Individual
During the small group discussion, the students engaged in a lively exchange.
“I think that to ‘refuse’ is one of the very first tenets of recycling. This is especially so for us modern people, but it is also the hardest to do. We have many wants but seldom consider where our things come from and what material they are made up of. Next time before I make a purchase, I’ll consider how they are produced and whether they cause harm to the earth.”
“The earth doesn’t need us; we need the earth. Our actions should not harm the earth! I’ll try my best not to litter and to do more recycling.”
“I want to share what I’ve learnt today with my family as well as with my friends and schoolmates so as to raise their level of environmental awareness.”
“By doing recycling, we are showing our love for the earth, and ultimately, it is a form of kindness and care for ourselves.”
Diana Yacou, the teacher-in-charge of the participating students, said that the latter were just some of the 1000-plus high school student delegates and accompanying staff from 36 countries who were attending the Round Square International Conference 2015. The event addressed the issue of environmental sustainability under the theme, ‘Act Today, Change Tomorrow’. She commented how fortunate it was that the group of students and teachers could visit the Eco-Awareness Centre and learn from Tzu Chi’s recycling efforts.
Seeing the enthusiastic exchange of views among her students, Yacou said it was obvious how appropriate the day’s activities were in learning about the concept of sustainable operations. She felt that everything that they had learnt that day was applicable to daily living, and that it was only by putting the ideas into practice that one could really change the mindset of others. From influencing the behaviour of a small minority, who will later propagate the same mindset among others, the goal of sustainability sustainability can be achieved.
Senior Tzu Chi recycling volunteer Suzan Tan introduces Tzu Chi’s missions to the students. (Photo by Teh Siau Tong)
A group of students discussing the 5Rs (refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, recycle) at the poster exhibition zone. (Photo by Teh Siau Tong)
Volunteer leader Andrew Lim introduces Tzu Chi’s DA.AI Technology Co. Ltd to students.
The company manufactures blankets, clothing, etc. from recycled materials, such as recycled PET yarn. (Photo by Teh Siau Tong)
Volunteer Wu Nan Kai explains to his audience during the sorting of recyclables that because the materials can be recycled, they are called “resources”. (Photo by Teh Siau Tong)
Brianna Mendes from the Bermuda Islands (second from right) cooperating with two others to use a hand each to open a plastic bag. (Photo by Teh Siau Tong)
Andrew Jang from South Korea feels that he should cut down on meat consumption after finding out that the amount of resources needed to produce 1kg of meat is the same as that used to produce 20kg of rice. (Photo by Teh Siau Tong)
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