I refer to the report “Less waste generated, but less recycling too” (March 13). As youths in Singapore, we agree that daily usage of plastic is becoming more pervasive, often as a cheap substitute for other materials.
A lot of food packaging these days is for convenience, to avoid the hassle of washing. For example, drink establishments are increasingly using disposable plastic cups for cold drinks and juices, whether for takeaway or not.
The Youth for the Environment Day Youth Planning Team has noticed the trend in food packaging. Our research among our peers found the top two reasons for using disposables were convenience and the items being pre-packed.
This translates into almost 90 per cent of us using disposables at least once a week. It is safe to say, however, that youths are at least stepping up to achieve a more sustainable Singapore.
Student groups are spreading environmental messages and initiating projects on plastic waste. For example, the NUS Students Against Violation of the Earth introduced a campus-wide plastic bag tax and an incentive programme for the use of reusable containers. Earthlink NTU and SUTD Greenprints have done their own projects to reduce plastic disposables used during varsity-wide orientation camps and events.
My team, who come from different educational institutions, are also embarking on a project titled Talk Gong 2015, for the Youth for the Environment Day, to increase the usage of reusable items, especially on campus, given its large student and staff population.
Our slogan, “Fill the Gong (container), not the landfill”, encourages students to use their tumblers and lunch boxes for takeaways. In the process, we hope disposables such as plastic cups and styrofoam boxes can be reduced.
Today marks a milestone, as the leading green groups in four universities are coming together to kick-start a collaboration towards a unified goal. We are optimistic that Singaporean youth can be stirred to action and make a greater impact.
A lot of food packaging these days is for convenience, to avoid the hassle of washing. For example, drink establishments are increasingly using disposable plastic cups for cold drinks and juices, whether for takeaway or not.
The Youth for the Environment Day Youth Planning Team has noticed the trend in food packaging. Our research among our peers found the top two reasons for using disposables were convenience and the items being pre-packed.
This translates into almost 90 per cent of us using disposables at least once a week. It is safe to say, however, that youths are at least stepping up to achieve a more sustainable Singapore.
Student groups are spreading environmental messages and initiating projects on plastic waste. For example, the NUS Students Against Violation of the Earth introduced a campus-wide plastic bag tax and an incentive programme for the use of reusable containers. Earthlink NTU and SUTD Greenprints have done their own projects to reduce plastic disposables used during varsity-wide orientation camps and events.
My team, who come from different educational institutions, are also embarking on a project titled Talk Gong 2015, for the Youth for the Environment Day, to increase the usage of reusable items, especially on campus, given its large student and staff population.
Our slogan, “Fill the Gong (container), not the landfill”, encourages students to use their tumblers and lunch boxes for takeaways. In the process, we hope disposables such as plastic cups and styrofoam boxes can be reduced.
Today marks a milestone, as the leading green groups in four universities are coming together to kick-start a collaboration towards a unified goal. We are optimistic that Singaporean youth can be stirred to action and make a greater impact.
