From as early as 2007, Tzu Chi collegiate Youth (Tzu Ching) has been regularly supporting the monthly Southwest recycling activities at the Jurong East recycling point. However, starting from 13 September 2009, they have shifted their role from being a participant, to being the recycling activities publicity organizer at the Redhill recycling point. During publicizing, Tzu Ching encourages residents to bring their recyclables to the recycling points. They make use of trolleys to deliver recyclables placed at the lobby.

Tzu Chings publicizing for the monthly recycling activity in the community. Shifting their monthly recycling point to Red Hill lead to the shift of commitment.

After the recycling activity, Tzu Chings return to the Free Clinic for a sharing session.

At the same time, 10 other Tzu Chings also volunteer at the Free Clinic.

Tzu Chi holds its regular recycling activities on the second Sunday of every month at 12 recycling points island-wide. Shining out from the usual group of volunteers at the Redhill recycling point on 13th September were 20 Tzu Chings and some newcomers.

For Tzu Chings, that Sunday marked the start of the co-organization work for recycling publicity in the Central Zone.

At the start of the day, the community volunteers grouped themselves into groups of five to six and set off to publicize recycling activities at different blocks while five Tzu Chings and their seniors were assigned to one of the blocks.

Starting from the 16th level, the top level, to the ground, the Tzu Chings took the stairs down each level instead of using the lift as a greener and more environmentally conscious mode of travel.

After greeting the residents, the youths will encourage residents with manageable items to visit the recycling point. There, they can witness and learn more about recyclables classification.

If residents have too many items, the youths will suggest leaving the recyclables at the lift lobby for another group of Tzu Ching to collect. For residents unaware of Tzu Chi’s Recycling Day, the youths will publicize the monthly activity to them.

Last but not least, they will record the responses of the residents for follow-ups. On their own, the Tzu Chings completed all these tasks.

Growing through experience

The Tzu Chings have already been supporting the Jurong East recycling point in the Southwest Zone since 2007. Experiences gained from volunteering as a support team aided them to take up the role of being the organizing committee at the Redhill recycling point.

Tzu Ching senior, Tan Chee Seng is overall-in-charge of the Tzu Ching recycling activity. He said one of reasons for changing the venue is that Redhill is in the Central area, which will be more convenient for Tzu Chings all around Singapore to attend, in turn strengthening the force of Tzu Ching.

Another reason is that on the same day, about 10 Tzu Chings will be volunteering at the Tzu Chi Free Clinic, which is only three minutes walk from the recycling point. Therefore, youths from both places can meet up after the activities for fellowship and sharing sessions.

After the volunteers are done classifying the recyclables, a lorry will come along to pick the classified recyclables up, and the Tzu Chings can go over to the Free Clinic for sharing sessions to share their reflections on the day’s activity.

Er Chern Han, contact personnel of Nanyang Technology University’s (NTU) Tzu Ching, also shared his views on the monthly publicity work. In response to views on the ineffectiveness of this regular publicity work, he reminded himself of the basis of the Tzu Chi mission of purifying hearts.

“Purifying one’s heart can only be accomplished step by step. Although progress is slow, each step should be firm and steady. The firm foundation will allow us to achieve our goal and then this publicity work will pay off,” he said.

He went on, “The speed of salvaging can never outpace the speed of destruction. So it is only through environmental education that hearts can be purified and the goal of protecting Mother Earth be truly achieved.”

Senior Tan Chee Seng also shared that Tzu Ching’s commitment in recycling work will impact the residents, as it can change stereotypes of recycling being an activity for the older generation. The presence of Tzu Ching helps convey the message that recycling work can also be an activity for the younger generation.

There are plentiful of opportunities in the Redhill community. And if Tzu Ching is able to grab hold of chances to exhibit the power and strength of the younger generation, the mission of purifying hearts can be accomplished.

Click here for information on Tzu Chi’s neighborhood recycling points.