Eight to receive environmental sustainability award

Among this year's recipients was Ms Susan Tan, 48, zone principal of several Kinderland preschools. Pre-school pupils at the Kinderland centres she oversees learn not to litter, and learn about recycling by making crafts like lanterns from recycled cardboard and toilet paper rolls. She also sends notices to parents electronically rather than on paper, halving paper use.

Get the full story from The Straits Times.

Here is the full statement from the National Envrionment Agency:

Eight individuals will receive the EcoFriend Award for their outstanding environmental contributions at the upcoming Singapore Environment and Water Awards Ceremony. And for the first time in the awards' seven-year history, a preschool principal, Ms Susan Tan, has been recognised for her dedication to educating young children on environmental issues.

The EcoFriend Awards is an initiative by the National Environment Agency (NEA) that commends the efforts and achievements of environmentally-proactive individuals in Singapore. Ms Tan, along with seven other individuals, will be honoured at the Singapore Environment and Water Awards Ceremony that will be officiated by President Tony Tan at the Marina Barrage on 24 September 2013.

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Besides reaching out to her own preschoolers, Ms Tan, Zone Principal of Kinderland Preschools, partnered NEA to initiate a Litter-Free Preschool Programme with the aim of inculcating anti-littering habits amongst preschoolers. She also played an active role in raising awareness on public health issues among young children and their parents at past Clean and Green Singapore Schools' Carnivals.

Apart from Ms Tan, Mr Loh Yi Rong will also be recognised for his exemplary leadership in rallying youths to go the extra mile to extend social graciousness under the Keep Singapore Beautiful Movement (KSBM). Mr Loh, one of the three youth winners for this year's award, conceptualised and managed many of KSBM's programmes. One such programme is the Tray Return Initiative at Tampines Round Market, where he led a group of youth volunteers to encourage and educate patrons on the importance of returning their trays after meals in November and December 2012. The successful programme saw over 20,000 trays returned and helped spread key messages on public hygiene.

This year saw the highest number of nominations since the awards started, with 419 nominations received. The number of youth nominees also nearly doubled - from 48 nominations in 2012 to 82 nominations this year, reflecting a rising number of people, especially youths, involved with environmental work locally.

"The increasing number of EcoFriend Awards nominees over the years reflects the growing environmental activism and ownership among our people. This year's winners not only do their part for the environment, but they are also strong advocates, influencing others to get involved as well. We look forward to even greater participation in our efforts to encourage everyone to protect and cherish our environment," said Mr Ronnie Tay, CEO of NEA.

On her achievement, Ms Tan said, "Through my work, I have seen young children learn and begin to take action to protect the environment. They make me firmly believe that everyone has a part to play in maintaining the delicate balance of our global ecosystem. It is fortunate that as an early childhood educator, I am able to share this belief with my colleagues, young children and their parents. My desire is for us, both the young and old, to take up this social responsibility and become a friend of the environment."

Background

a. The EcoFriend Awards was developed and launched by NEA in 2007, to recognise and honour individuals who have made significant contributions to Singapore's efforts in achieving environmental sustainability. This annual award also aims to encourage and inspire individuals at all stages and walks of life to do their part for the environment, by showing that an individual's effort can have a significant, lasting and positive impact on our clean and green environment.

b. There are five categories for the Awards:
i) Private sector individuals
ii) Public sector individuals
iii) Educational Institutions (Principals, teachers, school staff)
iv) Non-governmental Organisations and Grassroots volunteers
v) Youth and Students

2013 Awards

c. Nominations for the 2013 EcoFriend Awards lasted for eight weeks from March 2013 to April 2013. A total of 419 nominations were received - the highest ever to date.

d. The final evaluation and selection of recipients for the award is by an eight-member panel comprising NEA's 3P (people, private and public) partners and chaired by Chairman, National Youth Achievement Award Council, Professor Leo Tan. The members were:

· Mr Andrew Tan, (former CEO, National Environment Agency)
· Ms Sueanne Mocktar, Senior Deputy Director, 3P Network Division, National Environment Agency
· Mr Chia Tze Yee, Cluster Engagement Director, People's Association
· Mr Teo Kok Hong, Assistant Director, CCA Policy Office, Ministry of Education
· Mr Lim Kok Hin, Vice President, Canon Singapore
· Mr James Soh, Executive Director, National Youth Achievement Award Council
· Ms Tan Puay Hoon, President, Restroom Association of Singapore

e. The 8 recipients of the 2013 EcoFriend Awards are:

Private Sector Category

Mr Desmond Chua
General Manager
Keppel Club
Mr Desmond Chua is a passionate advocate of the environment who has led Keppel Club in achieving many eco-friendly practices in its operations. Apart from installing resource-saving devices, he also preserves biodiversity by conserving greenery and creating habitats suitable for organisms to thrive. He also reaches out to the community through an iconic Earth Week Exhibition held annually to educate people on environmental issues.

Public Sector Category

Mr Eden Liew
Principal
ITE College East
Mr Eden Liew championed numerous environmental initiatives in ITE College East, such as the Tray Return Programme and kNOw Cleaners Day that promoted social graciousness and the importance of public hygiene. He also collaborated with NEA and South East CDC on various events that reaches out to regional schools and the community on environmental issues.

Educational Institutions Category

Ms Susan Tan
Principal
Kinderland Preschool @ Ministry of Manpower
As a firm believer of the green cause and advocate of early learning, Ms Susan Tan is devoted to educating young children in her preschool on environmental issues. Beyond her duties as an educator, she actively encouraged and led her colleagues from other Kinderland preschools to engage their preschoolers in environmental activities. She has also reached out to parents by involving them in educating their children on the importance of practicing the 3Rs.

Non-Government Organisations and Grassroots Category

Ms Olivia Choong
Co-Founder & Campaigner
Green Drinks Singapore
Ms Olivia Choong is the key driver behind the start-up and sustained efforts of Green Drinks Singapore, a movement that organises monthly talks and/or discussions to raise awareness on diverse environmental topics, such as recycling, electric vehicles, biodiversity, collaborative consumption and more. The campaign has made notable contributions in reaching out to people from varied industries and forged collaborations between budding environmental activists.

Ms Regina Chong
Chairperson
Kim Seng Community Centre Youth Executive Committee
Ms Regina Chong started the Environwise Interest Group at Kim Seng Community Centre, in which she spearheaded numerous activities to heighten environmental awareness among residents in her constituency. One of her key initiatives is a four-month recycling project that reached out to over 3,000 residents. She also founded the Youth Spirit, a percussion interest group that creates music from recycled materials, to promote recycling to youths.

Youth and Students Category

Mr Loh Yi Rong
Vice-Chairperson
Keep Singapore Beautiful Movement Youth Committee
Mr Loh conceptualised and led many activities and events to support KSBM. Apart from the Tray Return Initiative at Tampines Round Market, he was instrumental in the campaign's I(+1) Starts Now! mass mobilisation activity in 2012, where he rallied 250 youths to to go the extra mile to extend social graciousness and keep Singapore beautiful. He was also involved in organising Eco Singapore's Earth Hour Observance in 2009, an island-wide event which aimed to raise awareness on the importance of conserving energy.

Ms Lee Qian Yi
Membership Secretary
Ci Yuan Community Centre Youth Executive Committee
Ms Lee Qian Yi was the founding member of the council that conceptualised the National Youth EnvirOlympics Challenge (NYEC) 2008. It was the largest youth-initiated environmental event that garnered the support of 1,200 youth participants. She went on to become the Chairperson of NYEC 2013, where she led a team of young people in a series of outreach activities to share NYEC's message on eco-urban living.

Mr Lee Jun Wei
Executive Committee Member
National Youth Achievement Award Gold Award Holders' Alumni
Mr Lee Jun Wei spearheaded several activities to reach out to the youths and the community. In 2012, he organised a dialogue session involving 250 students on climate change with the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan. He also initiated an e-waste collection exercise in Tampines, and led a group of youth volunteers on house to house visits to collect unwanted e-waste for recycling.