CatholicNews ■ Sundays June 6 and June 13, 2004 13

“God destined the earth and all it contains for the use of every individual and all peoples”.

s a hole in the sky, the forests are disappearing...

Tips to reduce, reuse and recycle: What we can do in Singapore
WASTE
SINGAPORE generates
over 2.6 million tonnes of
waste every year, about
90% of the waste is
incinerated and the
remaining non-flammable
waste and incineration ash
is disposed of at our one
and only landfill.
Singapore faces several
problems with waste which
include the growing
amounts of waste
generated; land scarcity for
landfill sites; and high
costs involved in building
waste disposal facilities
such as incineration plants
and landfills.
In addition, wasteful
consumption patterns also
exploit and diminish
natural resources, and
waste itself contributes to
air, water and land
pollution.
• Avoid packaging, buy in
bulk. Choose products
with minimal packaging,
including for example,
bulk coffee, cream and
sugar rather than
individually portioned
packages.
• Select items that come
packaged in recycled or
recyclable packaging or
containers.
• Use reusable shopping
bags, like those made of
canvas.
• When buying things, try
not to ask for a plastic bag.
• Use reusable containers
when buying back meals.
• Use less disposable items,
e.g. styrofoam and paper
cups and plates
• Recycle aluminium cans –
20 cans can be recycled
into new cans using the
same amount of energy
required to produce just 1
can from raw material;
and aluminium cans are
much lighter than glass,
which makes them easier
to handle, saving energy
and reducing pollution
during transport.
• Recycle glass – every
bottle that is recycled
saves enough energy to
run a 100w light bulb for
4 hrs.
• Recycle plastic – plastic
bags are made from non-
renewable fossil fuels,
they are non-
biodegradable, and pose a
danger to nature. Over 40
billion plastic bags are
thrown away each year in
LAST year we threw
away 2.6 million tons
of rubbish. These
mountains of
rubbish threaten the
quality of our life. By
changing some daily
habits, we can save
Singapore from
becoming a rubbish
dump.
Singapore.
• Recycle electronic
equipment – all electronic
components contain
hazardous or toxic
materials, especially lead
and mercury, the products
are safe to use but pollute
air, water and land during
disposal.
• Recycle batteries and use
rechargeable batteries.
• Keep cloth towels next to
the sink instead of paper
towels.
• Use toilet paper sparingly.
ENERGY
EVERYONE of us, in
every aspect of our daily
lives, needs to reduce the
energy we use so as to cut
down on associated
pollution and conserve the
world’s natural resources
and habitats. Using
electricity translates to an
increase in carbon dioxide
emissions from the burning
of fossil fuels. Carbon
dioxide is a major
• Switch off all lights,
computers, and other
non-essential appliances
when not in use.
(Appliances on ‘stand-
by’ mode still consume
electricity.)
• Put computer monitors
to sleep rather than use
screen savers. Contrary
to popular belief, screen
savers are meant to
prevent phosphor ‘burn-
in’ on the screen and
don’t actually save
energy, in fact they often
IN SINGAPORE,
500,000 tonnes of paper is
thrown away every year.
This is equivalent to the
destruction of about 8.5
million trees like this.
PAPER
• Print documents on both sides of
the paper.
• Read and alter documents on the
screen to avoid printing out
numerous draft copies that may be
unnecessary.
• Store documents, files and archives
electronically.
• If printing is necessary, format
documents to minimise wasting
space, e.g. reducing font size, line
spacing.
• Save trees by reusing and recycling
papers. Compared to paper made
from virgin and pulp, recycled paper
uses less energy and water to
produce. The process also produces
CNS photo
less air and water pollution..
energy efficient when placing in the
alternative. Fluorescent
lights give off a lot more
refrigerator.
• Decide what you want
light and are more cost before opening the
and energy efficient refrigerator door.
compared to incandescent
ones. They and other Iron
energy saving bulbs also • Plan your ironing,
last 10 times longer. starting with items which
need lower temperature.
Refrigerator • Avoid heating and
• Choose the right size for reheating the iron, or
your family’s needs. heating it for too long.
• Check the door seals • Set the correct
(gaskets) for air leaks. temperature for the
Look for condensation, fabric type.

O MUCH?”
contributor to climate
change. Global warming can
lead to storms, rising sea
levels and unpredictable
weather patterns.
consume more energy.
• Make good use of natural
lighting when possible.
• Replace normal
filament light bulbs with
which is a sign of such
leaks.
• Allow hot food to cool
before refrigerating and
cover all food and liquids
(Sources: Information
printed in pages 12 and
13 were compiled by Sr.
Wendy Ooi, fsp from
data available from
Energy Market Authority

“It doesn’t affect me. Anyway, I can afford it” and National
Environmental Agency).

PEOPLE who think like this are wrong.
Nobody is insulated from ecological problems.
They affect everyone. For example, note the
harmful effects caused by ozone depletion.
The ozone layer shields all life-form from the harmful effects
of UV-B radiation by absorbing all but a small fraction of the
harmful ultraviolet radiation (UV-B) emanating from the sun.
Exposures to high levels of UV-B radiation is extremely
dangerous and can cause the following :-
• Skin cancers
• Damage to eyes
• Crop damage
• Severe disruption of the marine ecosystems
• Degradation of man-made materials like paints and plastics
• Increased global warming and climate change. ■
“Modern society will “In 1979, I proclaimed Saint Francis of Assisi as the
find no solution to the heavenly Patron of those who promote ecology. He offers
ecological problem Christians an example of genuine and deep respect for the
unless it takes a integrity of creation. As a friend of the poor who was loved
serious look at its life style. In by God’s creatures, Saint Francis invited all of creation –
animals, plants, natural forces, even Brother Sun and Sister
many parts of the world society Moon – to give honour and praise to the Lord. The poor
is given to instant gratification man of Assisi gives us striking witness that when we are at
and consumerism while peace with God we are better able to devote ourselves to
remaining indifferent to the building up that peace with all creation which is
damage which these cause . inseparable from peace among all peoples.
It is my hope that the inspiration of Saint Francis will
Simplicity, moderation and
help us to keep ever alive a sense of “fraternity” with all
discipline must become a part those good and beautiful things which Almighty God has
of everyday life.” created and remind us of our serious obligation to respect
– Pope John Paul II and watch over them with care.” – Pope John Paul II