Use of recycled decorations in Chinatown saves cost, wastage

Channel NewsAsia 7 Feb 08;

SINGAPORE : Red and gold may be the "in" colours this festive season, but it does not mean that decorations can't "go green" as well.

Some decorations in Chinatown have been recycled to save costs and cut wastage.

Some of the lanterns at Chinatown may look familiar because they have been used before during other festivals, including the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Other materials for the main decorations in Chinatown have also been reused.

The people behind these artworks had used less plastic and so they find it easier to recycle their materials.

David Ong, Chairman, Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng Citizens' Consultative Committee, said, "Wires, if they cannot be used, they can be stripped...Likewise, for light bulbs, they can be reused for the next light-up as well.

"So for iron structures, yes, you can take them off and you can put them back again - in different forms and shapes - even for wires as well. So all these can be reused."

"Reuse" is also the theme for decorations at Chinatown Point.

Cindy Low, Manager, Advertising and Promotions, City Developments Limited, said, "The difficulty is these decorations are meant for Christmas. So we actually need to refashion them to suit the Chinese New Year Theme.

"It helps us save costs...and also the time for the transition from Christmas to Chinese New Year decorations."

So instead of overhauling decorations to suit two very different occasions, which take place in a short span of time, organisers used some creativity and a lot of planning to cut down on wastage and costs. - CNA/ms