A Green House for all the environment-conscious
By Dominic Nathan
WHERE to find a waste recycler? Come to the Green House.
How to plan a birdwatching expedition? The Green House has the knowhow.
How to market a green product? Find out at the Green House.
The trouble is, Singapore does not have a Green House yet.
But it should and could, if the three major green groups in Singapore put their needs together.
In October, Environment Minister Mah Bow Tan said that a business association for companies dealing in environment technology would be formed.
Initially, it will work with the Singapore Manufacturers Association and use its premises, but eventually it will be independent.
In the same week, the Nature Society (Singapore) president, Associate Professor Wee Yeow Chin, said that the society hoped to obtain permanent premises and full-time staff soon as the society sought to become more professional.
Earlier in the year, the National Council on the Environment voiced similar plans when its chairman, Mr Robert Kwan, said that the NCE hoped to move out of Environment Ministry building in Scotts Road.
All three green groups are looking for their own space.
Premises with facilities like exhibition space, resource rooms, offices and possibly even a mini-auditorium.
So why should not they come under one roof, the Green House.
By coming together, the three groups and others can share costs and resources, and avoid duplicating efforts.
The three groups can still function independently, retaining their own identity and agenda. They need only share a roof and a small secretariat service to help out in joint activities.
Youth groups and school’s environment club members could also be recruited to help out at the Green House as part of extra-curricular activities.
For the growing environment-conscious public, the Green House would be a one-stop centre for all, from the businessman and scientist to the student and weekend birdwatching enthusiast.
Aside from individuals, schools’ environmental clubs and green clubs in communities and workplaces would also find it useful to turn to one place where all their questions can be answered.
Questions like where to find a waste recycler or how to plan a trek through the nature reserves or how to market a green product.
With more experience, the Green House could go further and set up its own Green Hotline, or publish its own newsletter or magazine.
To promote green consumerism, the Green House could also include a mini-emporium where GreenLabel products — consumer items which have been awarded ENV’s stamp of approval — could be exhibited or sold.
The manufacturers or marketing agents of these products can be convinced to sponsor a "green corner" which will give their products a higher market profile.
Another avenue to get the business community involved would be to turn the building of the Green House itself into an environment project.
It could be a showcase of environment friendly building design, construction and operation.
To save on costs and to get the business community involved in the green cause, companies could be enticed to donate energy efficient fixtures and equipment in return for a promotional stand at the "green corner".
This would be an ideal opportunity for companies which have come forward to sign the green business charter to show their commitment.
Eventually the Green House could spearhead private sector involvement in the Green Plan’s programmes and complement ENV’s efforts in making the Republic the centre for Environment Technology.
It could house a business information centre on ET, linked to regional and international information databases.
What remains is for Singapore’s green groups to get together and work out the feasibility of such a joint venture.
Perhaps, the fifth annual Clean And Green Week next year will coincide with an announcement on the Green House.
The writer is with The Straits Times Newsdesk.
Source : The Straits Times , December 3, 1993
Recycling Point Dot Com
(C) 2000 All Rights Reserved