Wang Eng Eng, Channel NewsAsia 26 Jan 10;
SINGAPORE: Students from 20 schools will soon get a first-hand look at eco-friendly manufacturing processes.
Some 3,000 tonnes of cast iron chips are recycled every year at Panasonic Refrigeration Devices Singapore and parts are re-engineered to consume less raw materials.
These are some eco ideas that will be highlighted to students during factory tours, through a collaboration with the National Environment Agency (NEA).
The scheme is a new module under the National Environment Agency's Environment Champions scheme and the first time the NEA is working with an industry partner to roll out an experiential environment education module.
The scheme will start in March 2010. Six sessions will be held yearly, with up to 80 students attending each session, and the primary and secondary students will submit proposals on environmental protection to Panasonic.
The chosen idea will be given seed funding for implementation. Panasonic has set aside S$150,000 for this programme.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Environment & Water Resources, Dr Amy Khor, said: "I think what it does really is to give the students hands-on experience at the factory itself and we hope that it will help them better understand environment issues especially related to the industry and in future really champion the green message." - CNA/vm
Students can try their hand at 'eco-module'
Straits Times 27 Jan 10;
SCHOOL students who care about the environment can take part in an outreach programme from Panasonic Asia Pacific in collaboration with the National Environment Agency (NEA).
The Environment Champions Industry Module (ECIM) is a half-day course which involves a tour of the NEA's gallery, presenting national strategies to help make Singapore green and a tour of Panasonic's 'Eco Ideas' Refrigeration Factory in Bedok. About 80 students will attend each session during the school holidays in March, June and September.
Students from 17 schools, including Raffles Institution and Woodgrove Secondary, took part in a trial of the module this month.
The ECIM is open to all 3,500 existing Environmental Champions - a programme established by NEA in 2004 - in primary and secondary schools and junior colleges.
Participants are eligible for a competition to come up with a project based on the three Rs - reduce, reuse and recycle. There will be 20 shortlisted proposals, divided between primary and secondary schools, and each will receive $1,000 from Panasonic to help implement the ideas.
The grand prize is a trip to Panasonic in Japan.
The guest of honour at the launch, Dr Amy Khor, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, said: 'I am certain that the module will leave a lasting impression on the young participants, and equip them with the skills and knowledge to fulfil future environmental leadership roles.'
Panasonic's Bedok factory, which was set up in 1972 and makes compressors for fridges, recycles scrap iron to be reused for new compressors. It also uses energy-saving light bulbs along with other measures to reduce CO2 emissions.
