Grandma Lin, 78, picks up recyclables she spots during her daily strolls and proclaims that such activities have reduced her discomfort caused by giddiness. (Photo by Khoo Chai Ling)
In recent years, the East 3 Zone volunteers had been stationing at the Serangoon or Sengkang Tzu Chi recycling points during the islandwide recycling day which falls on every second Sunday of the month. The team had long wanted to have a recycling point in their own neighbourhood of Hougang, hoping that with the recycling activities the notion of environmental protection can be inculcated in the heartlanders.
Eyeing for a suitable site
Volunteer Lau Hong Yip is in the TCM chiropractic profession and conducts weekly Meridian Flapping Exercise classes at the open area next to Hougang Block 686. Last year in December, under Brother Lau's recommendation, ten Tzu Chi volunteers set up a recycling booth at the open area to promote Tzu Chi’s environmental concept to some 50 attendees of the class. The effort also left a good impression among the Punggol Maple Residents' Committee members.
The open area is very spacious and as it is centrally located, many residents will pass by the area. Zone 3 volunteer leader Chan Hsiong Peng thus explored further and requested Brother Lau to arrange a meeting with the Residents' Committee. Initial discussions begun in August 2011 and it was later decided that a monthly recycling point will be situated at the open area starting in November.
“Remember to bring down your recyclables, OK?”
“Do come and join us in the recycling activities and save the environment together!”
Before the launch, the volunteers set out in full force and conducted two door-to-door publicity sessions in the area. Some volunteers even stood outside the shops to promote the recycling activities to passers-by and encourage them to participate.
Some residents thought that only paper products can be recycled, but after listening to the volunteers’ detailed explanation, they were amazed by the numerous types of "trash" that can be salvaged and recycled.
Recycling in the community
On the launching day of the recycling point, a total of 60 volunteers and residents turned up to help in the recycling activities, starting with the sorting of the different recyclable items.
Punggol Maple Residents' Committee Treasurer Mdm Goh Hoon Noi arrived early at the recycling point with her son and warmly greeted each resident who passed by.
It never occurred to Mdm Goh before that recycling activities can be an avenue to educate the public on environmental protection. After personally participating in the door-to-door publicity and recycling activities alongside the Tzu Chi volunteers, she is convinced that increasing the public’s environmental awareness is a sustainable way to protect the Earth.
As most of the passers-by of the open area were either the elderly or housewives and many elderly will be at the park early in the morning doing exercises or taking a morning stroll, Mdm Goh was more determined to promote recycling in her neighbourhood.
The Resident’s Committee hopes that Tzu Chi can help to promote the importance of environmental protection and together through the recycling activities, create a greener planet and improve the quality of lives for the residents.
Engrossed in sorting old clothes, 78-year-old Grandma Lin loves helping out in the recycling activities. During her morning and evening strolls, when she spots any recyclables, she will pick them up. Feeling giddy frequently not only did not stop her from helping out, she claimed that doing recycling actually lessens her discomfort. Her willingness to contribute has broadened her perspective of life and it is indeed very touching to see her love for Mother Earth.
Expanding the circle of benevolence
Stamping to flatten the plastic bottles, Mr Kuet Poh Chuan was soaked in sweat but he was unperturbed by the discomfort. He felt happy that he is able to play his part in helping Mother Earth.
Thanks to his daughter Kuet Yan Jun, Mr Kuet found much joy in doing recycling work. Yan Jun, 26, is a Tzu Chi volunteer and every month, she will invite her father to come along to the recycling point. Mr Kuet, out of love for his daughter, showed his support through participation.
Even though he has all along been aware of global warming and the importance of environmental protection, "knowing and putting it into action is two different matters," he quipped.
Thanks to Yan Jun's encouragement, the Kuet family has volunteered at the Sengkang recycling point for some time before the launch of the Hougang Tzu Chi recycling point.
Being involved in the work personally has given Mr Kuet a sense of groundedness. He feels that putting knowledge into action is of utmost importance and he not only participates in recycling activities but also encourages and leads his staff in recycling in office now.
Also looking forward to inculcating recycling concept in his staff was entrepreneur volunteer, Andrew Lim. After attending the Tzu Chi Entrepreneur Camp in Taiwan in early November, which he emotionally dubbed as "the turning point in (his) life", Brother Lim felt that he should not chase after fame and fortune anymore but start to contribute back to society.
To Brother Lim, participating in recycling activities is important as, through the tour and talks in the camp, he is now aware that Earth’s resources will be depleted one day and mankind need to conserve resources and energy as much as possible. Brother Lim not only roped in his family to participate with him but also look forward to introduce recycling concept in his company, so as to enable more people to join the rank of being the Earth’s gardener.
With the launch of the new recycling point, Tzu Chi volunteers and Hougang’s residents are now jointly spreading the message into the community. Let everyone be environmentally conscious and each do our part to achieve a sustainable future for our future generations.
Volunteers conducting door-to-door publicity before the launch to encourage residents to join the recycling exercise. (Photo by Khoo Chai Ling)
The open area at Hougang Street 61 is centrally located, thus enabling the volunteers to interact with the local residents to promote environmental awareness. (Photo by Pan Hui Wen)
Volunteers teaching the local residents the sign language for 'Everybody Does Recycling'. (Photo by Chua Teong Seng)
After participating in the door-to-door publicity and recycling activities, Punggol Maple RC Treasurer Mdm Goh Hoon Noi hopes that Tzu Chi can help to promote the importance of environmental protection to the residents. (Photo by Chua Teong Seng)
Brother Andrew Lim busily sorting the recyclables. The recent Tzu Chi Entrepreneur Camp opened his eyes to the environmental crisis our planet is facing and prompted him to engage in recycling work. (Photo by Khoo Chai Ling)
Kuet Poh Chuan found joy in recycling thanks to his daughter, Kuet Yan Jun. Yan Jun will invite her father to come along to the recycling point every month. (Photo by Chua Teong Seng)
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