With more than a thousand truckloads of waste generated every day, the Semakau landfill is projected to be filled in just 20 years time. The unsustainable increase in waste generated in Singapore has led to Clean and Green Singapore s (CGS) No Waste Day Challenge . NTU had its own No Waste Day advocacy campaign organised by Earthlink on 20 October. A booth was set up at the South Spine concourse for students to learn more about how they can reduce their waste. At the same time, mobile student ambassadors walked around the school to personally interact with students and enthuse to them about reducing waste. By getting them to write their commitments down on a pledge card, Earthlink hopes to inspire students into making little changes in their lifestyle to reduce their waste.
To help students take the first step in reducing food waste (by taking away leftover food), and/or reduce the use of one-time takeaway containers and Styrofoam packets, there were reusable containers sold at the booth. There was also a photo competition with weekly lucky draws where students would have to upload at least two pictures per week of them reducing waste. This would encourage students to take actual steps in their lives to reduce waste.
It does not take a big leap to reduce waste in one s daily lives. If only we just paused to think about what we put into the bin (or perhaps what we throw on the floor), we would find that the rubbish we throw are not just rubbish ; they are resources that are being wasted.
Think about what and how much we are putting into the bin every day. Are those plastics, paper, aluminium cans or grains of rice? All of these can actually be prevented from meeting their end in the landfill. Plastic, paper, and metals can be recycled to be given a new lease of life. Leftover food can be composted and give nutrients to soil and plants which need them. We can also reuse or repurpose some things we do not need to form useful things, or even artistic pieces.
But in the first place, why do we take all these extra things we do not need? Do we really need all the straws and plastic cups to enjoy our bubble tea? Do we really need to take away food using disposable containers? Do we really need all those plastic wrappers and excessive packaging that comes with a product? Do we really need to print our lecture slides one on each page? Do we really need to order so much food when we know we cannot finish it? If we think a little deeper, do we actually know where the things we throw away go to?
There are many things to be said and argued about our waste, but there is no need to delve too deep. As long as we are able and willing to commit to making small changes in our individual lifestyle, together, we can reduce a lot of unnecessary waste. Hopefully, Earthlink s efforts during No Waste Day was able to motivate students personally to adopt our motto: If I change, the world changes .
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!