Tzu Chi volunteers sharing their knowledge with residents at the recycling station during the Clean & Green Litter Picking Exercise, organised by the Marine Crescent Ville RC. Photo by Lim Chwee Lian
In the amphitheatre, a modestly-sized outdoor space, two giant blue and green displays became the centre of attraction in the bustling hub. One of the displays was a model of the earth, made entirely out of neatly stacked PET bottles.
“Global warming has caused many disasters, and the magnitude of the destruction is increasing. If we still do not do our part for the environment, all that our children will inherit is a sick Earth. However, if we are environmentally conscious, future generations will continue to enjoy a luscious, green world, won’t they?” Tzu Chi volunteer Ye Ren Hui offered this explanation to the residents who were curious about the plastic Earth model.
The thought-provoking model of the earth designed by creative Tzu Chi volunteers, featured a hill that was covered by dense forests, lush greenery and vibrant fauna like birds and butterflies on one half, while the other half was a stark contrast of dry, barren land devoid of plant life and littered with animal carcasses.
On 7 November 2015, Tzu Chi Singapore was invited to take part in Marine Parade Town Day, and to join the Clean & Green Litter Picking Exercise organised by the Marine Crescent Ville RC, to heighten awareness for recycling as an integral part of green living.
All the Efforts for One Green Earth
The venue chosen for the Town Day was the empty plot of land outside the office of the Marine Crescent Ville RC at Block 34. Nine environmental organisations, including Tzu Chi, were invited to set up their exhibits on green education and awareness. There were also sale of food and snacks, performances, goodie bags giveaways and various activities such as games.
Exhibitions were held at the void deck of Block 35, where Tzu Chi set up a booth showcasing its DA.AI Technology eco-friendly products and re-usable cutlery and utensils. There were also volunteers demonstrating how to make a DIY eco-enzyme which was given out to the residents. They also set an example for others in maintaining environmental cleanliness by picking up any litter.
Tzu Chi volunteers spread themselves out in the venue and shared green concepts with the use of posters, tablets and brochures, actively spreading the message of “cleanliness at source” and the “5Rs for a greener world”.
The hill on the model of Earth presented a contrast of vibrant greenery and desolate bareness. Photo by Teoh Moh Sang
Tzu Chi showcased the DA.AI Technology products at its booth and demonstrated the making of eco-enzymes. Photo by Teoh Moh Sang
Tzu Chi volunteers gave a sign language performance, “A Clean World”. Photo by Huang Kai Mei
Clean and Green Begins with Me
The light drizzle that began at noon gave way to clear skies in the afternoon. Mr Lim Biow Chuan, Chairman of Marine Parade Town Council officially launched the two-month long “Clean & Green Litter Picking Exercise”. To commemorate the launch day, 115 residents of all ages armed themselves with tongs as well as plastic bags, one black and one blue. Spreading themselves out across the HDB blocks, they picked up and placed recyclables into the blue bag and trash inside the black.
Ms Anne Koh, Chairman of Marine Crescent Ville RC, revealed that the volume of litter left behind was significant after the wrapping up of every major event. This required the help of a big team to clean up. She hoped to inculcate in residents, a sense of responsibility toward the environment with the help of Tzu Chi eco-educators.
RC Chairman, Ms Anne Koh, had served in Marine Crescent Ville for 15 years and supports Tzu Chi’s recycling efforts. Photo by Lim Chwee Lian
“Singapore is only clean because of the efforts of the cleaners,” said Madam Chen Xiu Ji, a Marine Parade resident. Despite her advanced age of 78 years, she had stepped forth to set an example with active participation at every recycling event held in her ward, in addition to regularly using the litter sorting bins at her void deck since three years ago.
Lessons in Cherishing Our Resources
Sorting bins were set up at three collection points at the venue to help facilitate and encourage residents to do their part. Litter that was picked up was also brought back and sorted into these bins. Tzu Chi volunteers assisted with the sorting of various materials, such as plastic and paper, educating the residents further on the proper way to sort the litter.
Whenever the residents came by to drop off their litter, volunteers were always ready to give thanks and show their appreciation for their efforts with a friendly bow. In the meantime, other volunteers were shuttling among the crowds, busy with the picking of litter and sharing green concepts with those they came into contact with.
Standing in front of the recycling posters, Volunteer Chen Yu Zhen interacted with a group of Indian residents, telling them “Papers, boxes, envelopes or old books ─ all these can be collected and brought over to our recycling point, which is at Block 76. Please join us for the recycling activity there as well”.
Mr Pranect Kumar, an Indian national who has lived in Singapore for five years, was glad to have an accessible recycling point nearby where he could deposit sorted recyclables from home. He agreed that recycling is a good habit and mentioned that he had learnt that besides paper and plastic, even water and metal can be collected and recycled.
Kumar (right) picking up recycling knowledge from volunteer Chen Yu Zhen. He expressed his intention to start bringing recyclables to the Tzu Chi recycling point. Photo by Teoh Moh Sang
DIY in the Kitchen—Making Eco-Enzymes
Bottles of ready-made fruit enzyme lined the table at the eco-enzyme demonstration booth, with various fruit peelings and some brown sugar. Curious onlookers crowded around to learn how these ingredients would become the mixture that would develop into a wonderfully useful enzyme solution.
Bilingual volunteers Zheng Hui Yi and Zeng Hua Ling shared in both English and Mandarin, that “If you want (the solution) to be more fragrant, use fruit peelings......gas is produced in the process of fermentation, (so) if it is not allowed to escape, this may cause the bottle to break… fruit peelings meant to be discarded can be made into an enzyme solution, reducing the use of chemical detergents, cutting kitchen waste and decreasing the load of waste produced. Reducing our usage of chemicals is better for the environment”.
Volunteer Zheng Hui Yi (third from right) shared the know-how of making an eco-enzyme detergent. Photo by Teoh Moh Sang
Stating that it was interesting to know that fruit peelings can be turned into such useful enzymes, Bina from India was keen to try out the process at home to set an example for her children. She mentioned, too, her intention to share her knowledge with her fellow countrymen.
Bina (in red) had registered herself as a new volunteer and was keen to implement green living at home as a good example for her children. Photo by Teoh Moh Sang
Mr Goh Chok Tong, Emeritus Senior Minister, Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Minister for Social and Family Development, and many other MPs attended the event, interacting amicably with volunteers at the recycling booth.
They expressed having a good impression of Tzu Chi, especially in the area of environmentalism and hoped that the volunteers could continue to lead the community in maintaining the clean and green of Singapore. They also acknowledged the efforts of the organisation in decreasing reliance on single-use utensils through the use of its reusable utensils.
Goh Chok Tong, Emeritus Senior Minister and Marine Parade MP, visited the booths with CEO of the Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore) Mr Loh Swee Seh. Photo by Huang Kai Mei
First time event coordinator, Lin Su Yun (in gray) felt that the best thing about the event was that volunteers had the opportunity to engage residents closely in environmental conservation. Photo by Teoh Moh Sang
Residents’ Committee Chairman Anne Koh also expressed her gratitude to the committed volunteers. She had served in Marine Crescent Ville for 15 years and her participation in Tzu Chi’s initiatives started when she got acquainted with volunteer Yin Mei Ling. She commended the successful turnout at the event, and encouraged by the enthusiasm of the residents, hopes to start a Tzu Chi recycling point in the area for the continuation of such activities in future.
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