Organisers ensure materials used are recycled in post-APEC cleanup

Zhao Quan Yin/Evelyn Choo, Channel NewsAsia 16 Nov 09;

SINGAPORE: The APEC has come to an end, and cleanup operations are in full swing at the three venues - The Istana, Suntec Convention Centre, and the Esplanade.

The event organisers are ensuring that the materials used will not go to waste.

About 600 workers at the Suntec Convention Centre have been busy dismantling the setup since Monday morning.

The doors used at the event can be reused up to 30 times. Moreover, 20 banners will be donated to charities to produce environmentally-friendly bags.

Some interesting remnants of the APEC are the 42 seats, which the 21 APEC leaders and their spouses sat on during the Singapore Evening. These will be stored aside in special crates and reused for future conventions.

The mass cleanup is expected to end on Tuesday.

Lim Kian Meng, general manager, Pico Art International, said: "We have 250 newly-fabricated doors, just for this event. These will be recycled for other mega events, as well as the modular panels. These modular panels are our existing stock, we will also recycle for other events."

- CNA/sc