CBD workers encouraged to bring lunch boxes to take away food

Evelyn Choo, Channel NewsAsia 7 Oct 09;

SINGAPORE: A group of undergraduates hope Singaporeans would start bringing their own lunch boxes to work as part of efforts to save the environment, and like-minded food stall vendors in the central business district are joining in the campaign.

Nine students from the Singapore Management University, who call themselves the Lunch Bunch, have proposed an eco-friendly alternative to styrofoam and plastic boxes used by stall owners to pack take-away food.

Styrofoam and plastic boxes are non-biodegradable.

The students approached 42 food vendors at the Golden Shoe Food Centre to place stickers on their stalls to remind people to bring a lunch box to take away their food on Wednesdays.

Vendors are keen to support the effort, but most think it will take time for Singaporeans to form this habit.

Chicken rice stall owner Irwan Ahmad said: "The items we are using now are styrofoam packaging, plastic packaging... they're non-biodegradable. So in the long term, by not using these items, I think it could save and reduce the waste and I think it will make an impact."

Lim Yang Xiang, chairman of the Lunch Brunch said: "(The vendors) did mention they don't think that people will (bring their own lunch boxes), but they would be glad to support (our effort).

"And that's definitely a start - so that, in its own, I think, warrants a hope that if people bring their own lunch boxes, we will be able to start a new culture."

Singapore has seen a seven-fold increase in waste disposal in the past three decades, but this rate could slow down through the little effort we make to bring our own lunch box to work.- CNA/yb

Go green, bring your own lunch box
Today Online 8 Oct 09;

Take your own lunch box to work every Wednesday - that's a movement a group of undergraduates are trying to start. The nine Singapore Management University students visited food centres in the CBD yesterday to get vendors to take part. Participating outlets will sport a sticker encouraging customers to bring their lunch boxes instead of relying on styrofoam containers. 938LIVE