Upon arriving the destination, we introduced ourselves to Ms. Yeoh who is the head of recycling team at Tzu Chi SS3 recycling center. She informed us that they will be clearing up the storage and selling the recyclable items that day. The money obtained from selling the recyclables items would be directly paid to the Tzu Chi Headquarter, which would then be donated to the orphanage, old folks home and those who need it. We are told that they will be clearing the store and sell the recyclables once every two to three weeks.
Without further ado, we then started to clear up the storage place. We began by carrying the recyclables out from the storeroom located in the recycling center. As we start shifting the items out from the storeroom, Ms. Yeoh measures the weight of each stack of the materials on a weight balance, then records it on a piece of paper. Ms. Yeoh mentioned that each type of recycling material has a different price per kilo. Therefore, it is necessary to record them separately.
First of all, we move all the newspaper out from the storeroom, bring it onto the weight balance for Ms. Yeoh to record, then we arrange it at the open area there. The recyclables items are arranged there so that when the truck arrives, we will be able to load into the truck easily. After that, we move all the mixed paper (?), cardboard and black-and-white paper out from the storeroom to be measured and recorded.
After that, we are asked to bring out all the plastic materials from the storeroom. Ms. Yeoh told us that plastic is classified into a few different categories based on the resin code. Plastic with code 1 (usually plastic bottles, soft drinks packet) are grouped as "P1", plastic with code 2 (usually shampoo bottles, laundry detergents) are grouped as "P2", while the others with code 3,4,5,6,7 are grouped as "Other". Same as the others, the materials are weighed and had its weight recorded by Ms. Yeoh.
Then, we also move metal materials from the storeroom to the open area after it is measured and recorded by Ms. Yeoh. As told by one of the volunteers in the center, there are two major type of metal which people usually recycle, which were Aluminium (Beverage can) and Steel (Steel can). Aluminum cans worth more according to the volunteer.
Then, we also move metal materials from the storeroom to the open area after it is measured and recorded by Ms. Yeoh. As told by one of the volunteers in the center, there are two major type of metal which people usually recycle, which were Aluminium (Beverage can) and Steel (Steel can). Aluminum cans worth more according to the volunteer.
After getting all the material out from the storeroom, we started to sort the rest of the recyclable material which brought by people in the neighborhood, while waiting for the recycling truck to arrive at the recycling center. The neighbors at the area bring a lot of stuff to recycle, which includes old CDs, some plastic containers, unwanted furniture and bags of cans. We are told that some of the common items that are brought here couldn't be recycled. Material such as ceramic mug cannot be recycled.
Not long after we started sorting, the truck has arrived. We helped them to carry the items onto the truck. The truck driver would help us to arrange the material as we carrying them to the truck. After everything is loaded onto the truck, the driver then puts on a sheet and tie it nicely to prevent the recycling items from falling down. After that, we wash our hands clean after carrying those recyclable materials. We continued to sort the remaining materials which are brought in today. We are told that we had sold over 1.7 tonnes of recyclables today!
Every member of the organization are close together, treat each other like family. Most of them are middle-aged, some elderly too, but they all work together without complaining. They are very kind of us, even offer us lunch to eat ahead of themselves. From the activities today, we learned that recycling should start from home. It is very important to educate people to start recycling at home.
From newspaper to can to plastic, all of the materials can be recycled (process and remake) to be used again. From this, we would reduce the waste in the landfill. Many not know that plastic is recyclable, and always throw plastic bottles/ containers away after finish using the product.
Not long after we started sorting, the truck has arrived. We helped them to carry the items onto the truck. The truck driver would help us to arrange the material as we carrying them to the truck. After everything is loaded onto the truck, the driver then puts on a sheet and tie it nicely to prevent the recycling items from falling down. After that, we wash our hands clean after carrying those recyclable materials. We continued to sort the remaining materials which are brought in today. We are told that we had sold over 1.7 tonnes of recyclables today!
Every member of the organization are close together, treat each other like family. Most of them are middle-aged, some elderly too, but they all work together without complaining. They are very kind of us, even offer us lunch to eat ahead of themselves. From the activities today, we learned that recycling should start from home. It is very important to educate people to start recycling at home.
From newspaper to can to plastic, all of the materials can be recycled (process and remake) to be used again. From this, we would reduce the waste in the landfill. Many not know that plastic is recyclable, and always throw plastic bottles/ containers away after finish using the product.
No comments:
Post a Comment