Environmental Consciousness in the Night Fair 2019

Following the recent success of Green Week, the Environmental Council has implemented new polices to radicalize the events of this year's newly introduced school Night Fair.

New Environmental Policies

In a time of joy comes new heights of environmental responsibility. Guided by new efforts in anticipation of a new start to the Chinese New Year, the Environmental Council continues to strive, to further our cause of protecting the environment for the betterment of our school community. Innovative initiatives, led by the determination of our staff, have been implemented with great success, effectively reducing the overflowing recyclable waste that once characterized our school fair.

“This year's night fair saw a dramatic change in unrecycled waste. Compared to previous years, this year we've effectively reduced the waste to half the original amount.”

From waste management to products sold within the fair, one cannot deny the thriving efforts of the Council, acting as a stepping stone to future opportunities for new strategies.

Students and parents alike would note the apparent lack of single-use plastics at the Night Fair - an initiative successfully implemented by the Environmental Council.

Among the many initiatives taken:

The Environmental Council sold reusable cutlery sets (which includes a metal spoon, fork and chopsticks). Reusable cutlery and bowls were also provided wherein a refundable deposit was charged for each item, successfully mitigating the levels of waste produced from the canteen. All proceeds are going back to the PTSA and a small amount goes back to the Council to fund initiatives such as plants in classrooms.

Guided by Mr Chiu, the Council also gave away free paper bags in order to limit the high amounts of plastic bags used in previous years.

Bins have also been clearly labelled so products made from paper, plastic and metal could be thrown correctly, increasing the percentage of waste recycled.

Alongside the bustling stalls during the fair, the Environmental Council worked hard in ensuring the school fair was as environmentally friendly as possible. Among the faint music and the laughter of students piercing the air, many council members weaved through the crowds wearing bright colors of orange and yellow, guiding and reminding both parents and students to dispose their waste properly into different recycling bins. Lead by Mr Chiu and Ms Ryou, two environmental stalls were proudly set up to help raise funds for later projects in the council. Cutlery cases made from eco-friendly wheat straw were sold; where inside the case, spoons, forks and chopsticks were also provided. As the cutlery case is made from wheat straw, it is biodegradable, introducing environmental products used in our everyday lives. To celebrate the Chinese New Year, the council also sold festive bunch-flowered daffodil and green broad-leaved plants so families could embrace nature when welcoming Chinese New Year.

The Environmental Council’s efforts in making the Night Fair more eco-friendly was a huge success, and we are excited for upcoming events to implement more green strategies, and truly bring change to the school community.

By Reese Wong, Yui Hang Cheng and Samantha Lee