Dear Friends,
OVERVIEW
“Whose Responsibility?”
It is not uncommon to see littering after an event, in Singapore at least. Although we are seeing some improvements, much more is still needed. Question is who should clean up the mess. Presently, we are fortunate to have cleaners to do the job; be it at the waterways side or anywhere. But that is not good enough. We need to educate the people who attend or are involved in the organising of the event. The organisers must ensure that their workers, while clearing the area do play their part not to litter too. Everyone has to play his/her part to keep the environment clean, like the Japanese saying, “Leave the place better than you found it.”
So, what and how to do it? There are a number of measures we can take to make people more responsible for their own litter and waste during any activity or an event. These could include raising awareness of social responsibility and the environmental impact of the activity or event by:
● Making regular announcements over a public address system during the event or activity to remind participants to take charge of their waste and place them in the litter and recycling bins. The organisers would ensure such receptors are available and placed appropriately.
● Place banners and displays to give a visual reminder that it is a ‘Litter-free event’. The officials and facilitators will need to move around and ensure the participants do it.
● To include in the flyers (which we are not so keen on as these can end up as litter) and posters to remind the participants that it is a litter-free event. We can also remind them not to bring one-time used plastic bottles or any other non-environmental material for the event.
● During the event or activity constantly reminding the participants to keep the place clean and disposing of their litter responsibly. Gave some roaming ambassadors.
● Before leaving the area, get the participants to clean up the area.
It boils down to Education and sad to say, Enforcement! We need to be stringent and purposeful in our actions to correct our people’s mentality that it is everybody’s responsibility to keep our environment clean and safe.
‘Illegal Fishing”
There are still many ‘illegal fishing’ activities going on almost everyday. They blatantly fish at will at locations of their choice. We wonder what else can be done or should it be a case of “Let it be”? While we report to PUB regularly we often receive an acknowledgement “Noted”. Hopefully some followup action is done.
Message to our Boat Drivers
All Waterways Boat drivers are reminded Not to speed in the reservoirs. The official Speed limit is 5 Knots. Unless in an emergency- rescue situation or emergency on the boat, we are Not To Speed. Thank you.
We appreciate PUB visiting our Towing Operation last week and hope to receive approval on our request from PUB n MPA. At present Towing can only be done by those with steerman licence and with specific wws boats. (wws#6 and wws#7).
Work done for the Week!
The following activities were done for this week:
- We conducted 6 CSR programmes which were attended by 220 participants and they collected a total of 625 kg of litter. The activities conducted were 3 Boat clean ups, 2 Kayak clean ups and 1 Beach clean up.
- This week a total of 84 members were involved for CSR/VIA programmes, talk, patrols, administration, housekeeping duties and training and, the total trash collected = 685 kg.
- Boat Patrol. A total of 4 Boat patrols were carried out; 2 at Marina, 1 at Punggol and 1 at Lakeside.
- Bike Patrol. A total of 4 Bike patrols were carried out; 2 at Marina, 1 at Punggol and 1 at Lakeside.
- Foot Patrol. We conducted 2 Foot Patrols; 1 each at Pang Sua Pond and Yishun Pond.
- Pedal boat Patrol. No Pedal Boat patrol was conducted at Marina.
- Physical Bike and Boat Clean Up Orientation for New Applicants. This was conducted for 3 new members at Marina
- Boat Tour for Frontline workers. No boat tour was conducted for the Frontliners.
ACTIVITIES AND REPORT
- Educational Programmes
- Volunteer Patrols & Activities
a. Marina
b. Punggol
c. Lakeside
d. Pang Sua Pond
e. Yishun Pond Patrol
