Public bursting with green ideas

Sustainable Singapore site flooded with over 700 eco-friendly tips in feedback exercise
Jessica Cheam, Straits Times 24 Aug 08;

IN JUST one month, the nationwide call for ideas on how to 'green' Singapore has garnered more than 700 suggestions.

Some specific concerns have emerged, indicating what Singaporeans feel passionately about: solar energy, cycling, recycling and energy efficiency.

Respondents have thrown up innovative solutions on how to recycle anything from newspapers to old clothes, and ideas for educational campaigns as well.

The suggestions offer a glimpse into what the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has received so far regarding the Government's latest green initiative.

Last month, a dedicated website, www.SustainableSingapore.gov.sg, was launched by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development to gather feedback from the public.

The committee, made up of five ministers, was formed early in the year to drive Singapore's green journey. The views gathered will be put into the committee's report to be tabled at next year's Budget.

Topping the public's wishlist were solar panels for HDB estates to power common areas, separate cycling lanes, more recycling bins and more energy-efficient buildings.

Respondent Jesmine Tan mooted the idea of solar-powered heaters for new HDB flats.

Another respondent, Mr Lyon Lim, even provided precise technical instructions on how to replace the current protruding concrete blocks in between the floors of HDB flats with solar panels angled at 45 degrees.

Cycling was a popular idea embraced by many, with people writing in to the ministry to suggest that Singapore model itself on cities such as Paris, which has introduced a bicycle-loan programme that allows commuters to pick up bikes at designated stands outside train stations.

Engineer Anthony Chua, 43, told The Straits Times he is willing to cycle from his home in Punggol to his office at the Science Park in Clementi even if it takes an hour.

'But drivers in Singapore don't watch out for cyclists, so it's really dangerous. We should build lanes just for bicycles,' he said.

The committee also received various suggestions on how to improve energy efficiency. Mr Arthur Yap said the Government could provide free gadgets that monitor electricity consumption in homes, to raise public awareness of how much electricity is being used.

The 43-year-old manager also proposed improving traffic conditions by using technology to feed drivers live data about congested roads to avoid.

Also mooted was the taxing of items that are not environmentally friendly, such as one-time-use batteries, to make them more expensive to consume than eco-friendly rechargeable ones.

Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim, who co-chairs the committee, said in a statement that he was 'heartened to see the enthusiastic response'.

Pointing out that even foreigners in Singapore were contributing ideas, he said this shows that 'everyone cares about building a liveable city in Singapore'.

Speaking at a grassroots event on Saturday, committee co-chair National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said 'all of us are very encouraged by the quality and breadth of the response'.

He noted that solar panels featured highly in the feedback, adding that the Government is considering increasing their use 'on an experimental basis'.

The HDB has already included such features in one project, Treelodge at Punggol, he said.

He noted that solar technology was still very expensive, but that 'it would be useful for us to do some test beddings of this new technology'.

On other issues such as energy efficiency and cycling, Mr Mah said the committee would address all these matters, hopefully by the first quarter of next year when the final report is ready.

The committee is also planning a public forum at the end of this year.

The public has until the end of October to give their views.

Additional reporting by Goh Chin Lian

Green wish-list

SOLAR PANELS: They are popular items mentioned by the public. Some mooted the idea of solar-powered heaters to be built into new Housing Board flats, while others gave suggestions on where to install the panels.

RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES: Some also suggested boosting the use of eco-friendly rechargeable batteries by sticking a tax on one-time-use batteries to make them more expensive.

Over 700 suggestions received on building eco-friendly Singapore
May Wong, Channel NewsAsia 24 Aug 08;

SINGAPORE: The government has received over 700 suggestions in less than a month on how to create a more eco-friendly Singapore.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development launched a website on July 29 to gather feedback from the public.

For Lee Swee Mein, he is hoping that the government can heighten the profile of a website that he founded to a national level. Called YouSwop, it allows people to exchange unwanted items such as shoes, clothes and books with one another via the website.

Mr Lee, a business development manager, said: "I have a swop corner, it's actually a corner where I keep my unwanted and unused things, and exchange them for something that I need when the opportunity arises.

"I hope that one day, all Singaporeans will adopt this culture and save the environment by exchanging their unwanted items, instead of throwing them away. By swopping an item with someone who needs it, we are in fact reusing the item."

Another suggestion from the public is to get rid of plastic packaging when selling items like cooking oil, so as to promote the use of refillable packs or bottles.

Arthur Yap, a logistics deputy manager, said: "To save the environment, we can have refillable packs for all the consumable liquids... Instead of buying a container of shampoo, we bring our own container and then they can fill it in for us. That way, we save on logistics cost, we save on containers, we save on plastics, and it's a much more sustainable idea.

"We used to do this a long, long time ago when my parents went to the provision shop with a tin to buy kerosene or to buy rice, and I think it could make a comeback and we could really use much less materials for our daily needs."

Various government ministries are now studying the feedback that they have received on the website. At the end of the year, some of the suggestions will be revealed at a public forum for discussion.- CNA/so

Sustainable development committee encouraged by public's response
Wong Siew Ying, Channel NewsAsia 24 Aug 08;

SINGAPORE: National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said on Sunday that the ideas received via the have both quality and breadth, and the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development has been encouraged by the response.

Suggestions from the public include tapping on renewable energy in their living environment. For now, solar panels will be piloted at the Housing and Development Board's (HDB) eco-precinct Treelodge@Punggol.

Mr Mah said the relevant ministries will study all the ideas and continue to engage Singaporeans. A final report on sustainable development, which will contain a list of recommendations, is expected to be ready in the first quarter of next year.

He said there could be greater use of solar panels in public housing.

"This is one of the issues that is being studied in detail – how far we can go, how fast we can go, what we need to do, (while) bearing in mind that solar panel is still a new technology.

"It is still very expensive, but I think it would be useful for us to do some test-bedding of this new technology," Mr Mah said.- CNA/so

Links

Sustainable Singapore website
Check out the feedback received page where you can actually download all 600+ ideas!