AcknowledgmentsI would like to thank Mr Roger Chan, the chairperson of the Environmental & Humanities Committee, for his relentless effort and unyielding support in ensuring the success of this campaign. Special thanks to Ms Yati, the Secretariat of the KL Bar, for co-ordinating the whole process and liaising with the Committee members from time to time. Last but not least, I would like to thank all the Committee members who are willing to take time out of their day and lend their hands to this campaign.
1. Introduction
Background
This year’s campaign is actually a repeat of a likewise campaign organised last year. In fact, this campaign is made more meaningful this year due to the fact that it is held in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. It is also in line with the Committee’s main project for this year – the Climate Change Campaign. The priority afforded to the old/disused paper collection can be seen from the fact that it has been listed on top of the Committee’s agenda for this year.
2. Objectives
Here is a shocking revelation: We, Malaysians, produce over 15,000 tons of rubbish everyday!!
Hence, it is only a matter of time before we run out of space to dispose of them.
As such, there is an even greater need for recycling. Below are some of the reasons why we need to recycle:
- Recycling reduces waste, which in turn reduces the need for landfills and dumpsites.
- Recycling reduces pollution and saves energy. Making products from virgin or raw materials results in pollution and uses more energy.
- Recycling is cheaper in the long run compared to maintaining landfills and other systems. When recycling programmes become more efficient, there will be less rubbish to dispose of.
- Recycling creates up to 5 times more jobs than waste disposal alone. It will create jobs for engineers, machine specialists, environmental personnel, general workers and many more.
- Recycling improves cleanliness and quality of life.
Therefore, by organising the old/disused paper collection campaign, not only have we played a part in saving the environment, the proceeds from the sale of the paper collected will also go directly towards the numerous conservation projects planned by the committee, thus ensuring the continuing effort in preserving the environment.
3. Actual Day of the Campaign
The paper collection was agreed to be held on 20 April 2010 from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm at the KL Bar.
Prior to the actual day itself, I, as the person in charge of this campaign, had drawn up a duty roster for selected members of the Committee to be present at KL Bar at fixed times to co-ordinate the paper collection process. The members (apart from myself) who were involved are namely, Amanda, Fida, Kartina, Kenneth and Izzi. Each of us took turns and was stationed at KL Bar for at least an hour to make sure that the papers delivered were properly arranged and stacked up, that the persons delivered signed off their names or their firms’ names in the list prepared, and to take photographs for the purposes of our records.
The response towards the campaign in the morning session was at best lukewarm, with the biggest contribution actually came from the KL Bar Secretariat itself. However, contributions started to pour in after noon time, with some of the Committee member even brought along their friends to help out. Mr Roger also took time out from his hectic schedule to ferry old newspapers from Mr Saha (the deputy chairman of the Committee)’s firm to KL Bar.
At the end of the day, we successfully collected about 280kg of old/disused paper and we managed to sell them off and obtained RM105.00 in return.
Below is a list of firms which contributed:
1. KL Bar Secretariat
2. Jeff Leong, Poon & Wong
3. Saha & Associates
4. Chan Weng Keng & Associates
5. Skrine
4. Recommendations
Mr Richard Wee (Deputy Chairperson of the Committee) suggested that this campaign should be organised more frequently and he recommended it to be held once in every 2 months.
Other recommendations forwarded during the process of the campaign include the giving of certificates or tokens of appreciation to individuals/firms that contributed in order to encourage more people to contribute.
Prepared by:
Chen Sue Ann