July 20, 2019Opening Address by Ms Low Yen Ling, Mayor of the South West District, and Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Manpower, at ‘Plastic-less July’ Exhibition on Saturday, 20th July 2019 at Westgate
Ladies and Gentlemen
1. Good morning. Thank you for joining us today at this ‘Plastic-less July’ exhibition organised by youth members of Project C.P.R (Commence Plastic Reduction) from Blossom World Society and J.O.E Eco Alliance.
Introduction
2. Started in August, the aim of Project C.P.R is to create awareness and encourage individuals to reduce or even eliminate usage of single-use plastics due to the harmful effects of plastic waste on our environment and health. Project C.P.R held its first public awareness exhibition at One Raffles Place in November that year. Since then, the group has organised and participated in various events and conferences to expand its reach and connect with like-minded organisations.
3. In November 2017, Project C.P.R collaborated with more than 10 schools and companies to conduct a coastal clean-up. Through the social media, Internet and exhibitions, Blossom World Society has engaged with more than 40,000 students, youth and members of the public about sustainability.
4. Last year, Project C.P.R partnered J.O.E Eco Alliance to organise this ‘Plastic-less July’ exhibition with the goal of raising greater awareness to a larger audience.
Motivation for organising ‘Plastic-less July’ exhibition
5. Project C.P.R and JOE Alliance are both members of the RISE (Reach, Inspire, Synergise, Empower) champions network, which is a coalition of organisations committed to promote the “Keep Clean, Singapore! 2019” programme launched by Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources in April this year.
6. Keeping our country clean and green is a continual effort that requires everyone’s cooperation. Each of us has a role to play, like being responsible in our daily habits of waste management and disposal. Such eco-friendly behaviour starts with being aware of the environmental problems we face, for instance, the issue of plastic waste and how single-use plastic items contribute to the ever-growing mountains of waste generated today.
7. According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), 949 thousand tonnes of plastic waste were created in 2018, of which only 4% was recycled[1] . The Singapore Environment Council (SEC) estimates that, Singapore uses at least 1.76 billion plastic items a year, of which 820 million plastic bags originate from the supermarkets[2].
8. Today, more F&B outlets and supermarkets have joined in the movement to encourage their customers to refrain from using single-use plastic like plastic bags, straws, takeaway containers and cups. This year, in the upcoming National Day Parade (NDP), the organising committee has reduced the number of disposable items from the NDP “funpack”[3].
9. The South West CDC is glad to support Project C.P.R by linking it with our youth volunteers from the network of 40 Green Schools in our district. Both the students and staff of these schools will be encouraged to reduce their plastic waste through roving roadshows in their premises. Earlier this year, we invited our Green Schools to participate in a videography competition that aimed to raise awareness about the consequences of single-use plastic on our environment. This issue can only be tackled effectively with everyone’s cooperation. We are heartened by how institutions, businesses and students are taking steps to reduce plastic use. We hope that consumers will also do their part.
Conclusion
10. This ‘Plastic-less July’ exhibition here in Westgate is the largest one yet for Project C.P.R. It seeks to educate the public and shoppers in the mall. They can view the posters and interactive exhibits, participate in activity booths and explore the large whale structure to discover how our world is being affected by plastic waste.
11. I wish to commend Blossom World Society, J.O.E, J.O.E Eco Alliance and the passionate youths behind Project C.P.R for their contributions to creating a more sustainable Singapore.
I wish you all the best and a very Plastic-less month of July!
Thank You.
Sources:
https://www.nea.gov.sg/our-services/waste-management/waste-statistics-and-overall-recycling
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/bags-of-potential-ndp-funpacks-designed-to-be-used-again-and-again