Singapore's environmental conservation efforts on show in South Korea

Lim Yun Suk Channel News Asia 15 May 12;

YEOSU, South Korea: Singapore's environmental conservation efforts are on show at the Yeosu Expo 2012 in South Korea.

Singapore Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan officially opened the Singapore Pavilion on Tuesday.

With the theme Paradox-ity -- City of Contrast, the pavilion shows how the city-state deals with the challenges of sustainable urbanisation.

As visitors enter, they will see how Singapore has turned one of the world's largest offshore landfills into a home for animals and plants as well.

"When we think of garbage disposals in South Korea, I think of how dirty it is. But it's amazing how Singapore can have clean landfills," said Kim Jung Won, a South Korea student.

Another highlight is the 40-metre wall made from recycled items.

Every item on the walls was thrown away by Singaporeans in Singapore. They have been brought to South Korea to show how discarded things can be recollected and reused.

Mr Balakrishnan said: "What I am most proud about this exhibition is the fact that so many of the exhibits there have been constructed by volunteers and by students in primary school and secondary school. All the guides are volunteers and the undergraduate students gave the guidance in both English and Korean. This is really an all-out Singapore effort."

Singapore is among over 100 countries participating in the expo.

The Yeosu Expo 2012 runs till August 12.

- CNA/fa