Record number of schools commended for environmentally-friendly programmes

Participation in the annual Singapore Environment Council-StarHub School Green Awards has increased more than ten-fold over the past 15 years.
Alice Chia Channel NewsAsia 5 Nov 15;

SINGAPORE: A record 376 schools have been commended for their outstanding effort in protecting the environment, as well as educating students on green issues, such as recycling and minimising waste.

The schools received the Singapore Environment Council-StarHub School Green Awards on Thursday (Nov 5).

Now into its fifteenth year, participation in the awards has increased more than tenfold, from 28 in 2000, to 376 educational institutions this year.

The bulk of the increase comes from pre-schools and schools for students with special needs.

This year, the participating schools achieved reductions in electricity, water and paper consumption. According to the Singapore Environment Council, the total savings in electricity can power 18,450 four-room public housing flats for a month, while the savings in water and paper is equivalent to 149 Olympic-sized swimming pools and 3,519 trees respectively.

A total of 45,254.22kg of e-waste was also collected - an increase of 9 per cent from the previous year.

The awards are administered by the Singapore Environment Council and sponsored by Singapore telco StarHub.

- CNA/ww