Ideas abound to encourage spectators to keep parade ground litter-free

Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia 10 Aug 08;

SINGAPORE: As environmental issues continue to occupy the global spotlight, this year's National Day Parade at Marina Bay also took on a greener theme.

Organisers reprised their lucky-draw idea from last year, giving out numbered garbage bags in each parade goodie bag. This encouraged revellers to toss their trash at the collection points for a chance to win prizes if their bags were picked.

Other novel ideas to promote recycling included unusual art installations where spectators could deposit their plastic bottles and aluminium drink cans. Some 300 plastic bottles were collected this way.

Still, cleaners had to comb through the spectator stands for the remaining trash that were left behind.

Over at the nearby Padang where thousands had gathered to watch the fireworks, volunteers from the "Dunk it@NDP" were on hand to help the cleaners.

The volunteer group, which started this green initiative in 2006, said people have become more responsible.

Ng Zhi Kai, co-chairperson of Dunk it@NDP, said: "(In 2006) when we started, (we saw) people litter all over the Padang.....and there were comments like "walking on litter" on Padang. We have achieved a new milestone and we are actually moving towards recycling already. The people are now more environmentally conscious.

"Although they think that littering may not be an environmental problem, I think that it is a basis for recycling... for us to promote a clean and green environment."

- CNA/ir

Clean up awareness
Letter from Sandra Lee, Today Online 15 Aug 08;

MY FAMILY and I were disturbed when we saw scenes of the clean up after the National Day Parade (NDP) on TV.

Trash bags were provided in the goodie-bags and the idea to have a lucky draw to encourage spectators to clean up is laudable. But most people were either too busy watching the parade to look through the goodie bags or were unaware of the clean up event.

The NDP hosts could have raised public awareness of the clean up campaign and the lucky draw. The motivators could also have served as “litter inspectors” and reminded spectators to dispose of their trash in the bags.

Some suggestions that could be implemented include broadcasting a short video clip about proper litter disposal, and starting a mass clean up project at the end of the show.

Ending a mass celebration with no litter at the venue would surely be another celebratory act.