Saving the Earth via recycling
FIGHTING climate change has become a global concern, and more youths are getting involved.
Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old environmental activist, was at the forefront of the Global Climate Strike, a series of international protests held last September to demand that action be taken to address climate change.
Inspired by Thunberg, SMK USJ 12 student Jeremy Loh, 16, said: “I admire her bravery and the truth in her words. So many people do not believe in climate change because it doesn’t suit their comfort zone. Thunberg motivates us to make a change.
“Some people may say she’s not worth listening to but she wants us to listen to the scientists and the facts that originate from them. She’s a truly inspirational person,” said Loh.
One way to combat climate change is through recycling which can save energy, conserve natural resources and minimise greenhouse gas emissions.
SMK USJ 12 in Subang Jaya recently emerged as the winner in the secondary school category for a recycling campaign organised by Fraser & Neave Holdings and the Subang Jaya Municipal Council.
With an average of 3.48kg of waste collected per student, the school won RM1,000.
It also clinched the special award for the most plastic recyclables collected, which was 1077.5kg, winning it an additional RM700.
The six-month campaign was aimed at educating the younger generation on the importance of protecting the environment and its natural resources through good recycling habits.
Loh said: “I have always been taught to live in the most ecological way possible. This competition was a great way for me to work on my recycling skills.”
Another SMK USJ 12 student, Lim Wei Xu, 16, said that he read a lot of books and researched the Internet on environmental issues. “Thurnberg’s stance piqued my interest on the 5Rs — Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle,” said Lim.
Both students are members of SMK USJ 12 Kelab Pencinta Alam which serves to increase environmental awareness.
Lim said that for this particular competition, students put in a lot of effort.
“They had to come to school early, that is, before 7am. Then we’d scour the school, including the science labs and computer labs, to find waste materials.
“We collected newspapers, discarded exercise books, worn plastic and metal chairs and all other kinds of waste,” he said.
Being highly committed, the students even showed up at school during weekends.
Lim said: “On such occasions, we would organise everything, including removing nails from discarded chairs and repairing damaged furniture such as tables, chairs, cupboards and book racks. All these took a lot of time.
“When everything was done, we sent it all to a collection centre.”
There were some challenges along the way, including students who lack motivation but Lim is glad everything worked out in the end.
Developing environmental awareness from a young age has many benefits.
“When you start young, you have more time to gain more knowledge. You won’t be as suspicious or reluctant as some adults when it comes to learning new things on how to save the environment.
“I’m grateful to my teachers for giving me the chance to participate in such an event.
Loh said: “With more press coverage on environmental issues and on people like Greta Thunberg, more young people will be motivated enough to save the environment.” SMK USJ 12 teacher and Kelab Pencinta Alam adviser Tay Say Cheow said that the award serves as a recognition for the school’s efforts.
“Our school has been practising the recycling culture for many years but this is the first time we are joining this campaign. Despite the late start, we won because of the cooperation from the students and teachers.”
Supported by the Selangor State Education Department and Tetra Pak, Kempen Kitar Semula F&N and MPSJ was organised in conjunction with MPSJ’s 2019 Smart Generation Programme.
In its second year, the campaign attracted 47 schools with close to 80,000kg of recyclables collected, a striking increase from 18,328kg collected last year.
Present during the prize-giving ceremony were F&N corporate affairs manager Cariessa Goh and MPSJ president Noraini Roslan.