Better use for your waste

By YIP YOKE TENG

DO YOU know that local councils in Malaysia are paying 40% to 70% of its annual access tax for rubbish disposal?

That is to say, a large chunk of your money has to be used to deal with rubbish. And, if everyone takes that small step to start reducing waste production from home, we can put that whopping sum for better social and physical developments.

A simple way to do so is to make your own eco enzyme that acts as an effective cleaning agent, replacing soaps and detergents made of chemicals that pollute underground water, then rivers, and eventually the entire ecology.

You can learn how to do that from the Justlife Group at The Star’s Green Day Celebration 2009 slated for this Sunday from 8am to 3pm at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Kepong.

This is how we do it: Low showing a Star employee how to make eco enzyme at home.

The company, Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled and Section 19 Petaling Jaya Residents’ Association, with the support of Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Danish International Development Assistance (Danida), have embarked on a project promoting the use of eco enzyme.

It will also conduct an “Earth-Saving Diet” presentation from 10am to 11am on that day.

“Just remember the 1:3:10 proportion. To make the eco enzyme, prepare one portion of brown sugar, three portions of fruit peels or vegetable dregs in relation to 10 portions of water and put them all into an air-tight container,” the company’s communication executive Connie Low said during a demonstration held at The Star’s headquarters recently.

The evenly mixed contents are then left for fermentation over three months. The cover has to be opened once everyday during the first month to release gas.

According to Low, eco enzyme can be used as detergent, dish cleanser, natural antiseptic, air freshener and even for pet care and pest control.

“It can significantly reduce waste produced from our kitchens,” she said.

Technical advisor Dr Theng Lee Chong from Danida also gave some insight on the country’s solid waste management.

He said even though recycling efforts in Malaysia had beefed up over the past few years, more could be done for the ailing planet.

The Star’s Green Day Celebration 2009 to take place mainly at the FRIM football field will be abuzz with activities to spread the message of ‘’Go Green, Live Green”, the theme this year.

There will be guided nature trails, canopy walks and tree climbing demonstrations conducted by the Malaysian Nature Society and FRIM.

BonusLink will run a variety of activities with sand art for children being among the highlights while Philips energy-saving bulbs will be given away at The Star booth on the day.

The Permanis Recycling Stop will give away Revive canned drinks for recycled newspapers, Skateline will show how to do in-line staking while WWF Malaysia will collect signatures in support of its ongoing turtle campaign.

The Drum Circle, BRATS and Kuntum will also be there to sizzle up the atmosphere. Suria FM and TV3 will provide live entertainment with prominent artistes Malaysian Idol Farah Asyikin and Fazli Zainal and Akademi Fantasia artiste Aizat taking the stage.

As for the RED FM’s Morning Breakfast Crew, it will be promoting its popular campaign “Shake Our Hands to Win 10 Grand with JD & Dilly!” at the venue.

Better still, there’s a Car Boot Sale for you to do some shopping. FRIM has taken up six cars while the others had been made available to the public. Interested parties can contact 03-6279 7591/ 7577 (Hazlin/ Salmah) to register.

The event is open to the public free of charge. Visitors are encouraged to take public transport as parking bays are limited, and do come wearing green to show your love for Mother Nature.

Sources: The Star