Linking environment with education
By BP SINGAPORE
WHEN the oil company cleaned up Labrador Beach on World Environment Day in June this year, it did the job with a difference.
It roped in three experts, including marine zoologist and National Institute of Education director Leo Tan, to help staff doing the clean-up learn more about marine life found on the beach.
Coming from BP, this educational slant to beach cleaning is not surprising, because the company believes strongly in linking the environment with education.
"The oil industry has the potential to damage the environment," said Mr. Mathew Yap, its public affairs head
"At BP, we are very conscious about this and we pay great attention to issues such as pollution and waste reduction, and we try our best to be involved in environmental education," he added.
Mr. Yap said the company spent about $150,000 on environment-related projects last year. This year, he figures that it will be about $180,000.
The company has sponsored many such projects over the last few years. For example, 280 recycling bins, which are located in schools; outside MRT stations and at other public places, were sponsored by BP.
However, it is when green issues are linked to education that the company excels. In June this year, BP sponsored a one-day Environment Seminar for Secondary Educators.
Three hundred and four teachers and lecturers from 135 schools and other educational institutions were given ideas, strategies and learning materials to help them weave in green con sciousness into the schools.
BP has also been helping to publish handbooks on nature — the latest being 4 Guide To Skyrise Gardening.
This is the 23rd in a series of handbooks; Mr. Yap estimated that BP had spent about half-a-million dollars publishing these materials over the past 13 years.
The company’s most re-cent publishing effort was Rhythm Of The Sea — The Life And Times Of Labrador Beach. The 160-page coffee-table title was sponsored jointly by BP and the Port of Singapore Authority. BP contributed $30,000 towards the project.
Of all its efforts though, the company is probably proudest of flea markets it has organized. Said Mr. Yap:
"Items which would otherwise be thrown away are recycled, and the money goes to charity."
Five such markets were held on Nov 6. The company roped in schools to help collect items which would be sold at these events.
Despite winning the Green Leaf Award twice, BP is not complacent. Mr. Yap said that it will try to triumph again next year.
Source : The Straits Times, November 21 1994
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