Victor Fong, Author at Goody Feed

It's about 1 month left for the day of the year again - national plastic wastage day National Day. If you've gotten tickets, or just want to complain about how the NDP committee is using our budget, then you'd want to take note of what's in the NDP 2019 Funpack. Here's the claim by the NDP committee: "NDP 2019 Funpack will include practical and reusable items to encourage more sustainable practices, as well as feature a versatile design that allows for dual use." This is all in support of the campaigns "Say YES to Waste Less" and "Year Towards Zero Waste". Image: Giphy Let's examine that, shall we? What's in the funpacks Let's start with the bag itself. This year's bag has adjustable straps to transform between a backpack or slingbag. There will also be a reflective strip to be seen at night, 2 pockets, and water-resistant inner lining. And it comes in the choice of our patriotic colours red or white: Image: NDP 2019 Committee Sounds good in theory - but as far as I know, the reusability of the NDP bags are usually limited not because of design. It's durability. I'd wager that most people going to NDP physically already own at least one bag that is far more durable. But giving them the benefit of the doubt, let's look at what's inside then: 750ml disposable bottle of mineral water with a spout Sun visor/fan Miniature flag Mosquito patches Luggage tag Souvenir magazine Wet and dry tissues Face tattoos Discount booklet Potato chips Biscuits Bread Muffin Reusable bamboo drinking straws that can double as clappers during the parade Disposable plastic trash bag Disposable Poncho Hand Sanitizer A6 Document Holder You can also see what's inside from this CNA video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?vbahGY8Ezdhg Chairman of the NDP 2019 logistics and finance committee, Military Expert (ME) 6 Ignatius Tham said the funpack took 4 to 6 months to design. The hope is that the funpack will be used as an "Emergency Ready bag" to put essential items for emergencies - all of which are pasted on the flap. Image: Straits Times Mark Cheong The QR codes lead you to SCDF and Singapore Red Cross Society websites for free CPR course and how to pack emergency bags. Is this really sustainable? Image: Zero Waste Singapore Facebook Quick: which of these items do we really need? That's right, none of them. The only thing I foresee to be reusable beyond the event is the coupons and maaaaybe the bag. But when is the last time you used physical coupons? Articles like the one from RICE and a Straits Times article, as well as various netizen comments, are criticising the hypocrisy behind the claim to support environmental sustainability. In effect, the NDP funpack message feels like this: Let's encourage the reduction of environmental waste by producing more environmental waste! To give you an analogy, this is like the time I claimed to my boss that I increased my work productivity. The first week, I watched cat videos while pretending to work and probably did about 5% of what I could have done. The second week, I slacked off a little less and did 15%, and told my boss I increased productivity by 200% by adopting new workflow techniques I learnt over the weekend. But Zero Waste Singapore has some responses Image: Zero Waste Singapore Facebook In case you can't read: Bottled water is for security concerns over liquid explosives. They want flags to be returnable too and want us to request the 2020 committee to "work toward" this. Ponchos and LED wristbands can be returned. Recycling bins are placed around. Comment below to suggest more ways. Though comments show that they are not convinced, giving suggestions to bring your own empty bottle to fill. Image: Zero Waste Singapore Facebook Or simply have opt-out policies. Image: Zero Waste Singapore Facebook Image: Zero Waste Singapore Facebook Hmm. What about me? Well, I'm the kind of "I'll do you one better why is gamora" guy. Here's a radical suggestion. Go full digitalisation with a digital parade, and spend the entire budget on community service with a one-day community service event.

Victor Fong

NDP Committee Says Funpack Is Designed To Promote Waste Reduction, Netizens...

This App Tells You Where’s The Nearest Public Toilet With Ratings

S’pore Catering Company Reveals Laksa Making Robot That Can Make 80...

8 Places in The Recently Open Funan Mall You Got To...

Korean Singer Professes Love For Kaya Toast in S’pore Fan Meeting

Man Camped In Car For a Month Without Showering To Stalk...

S’pore Man Saves Girl From Another Man Who Touched Himself On...

Don’t Say Bojio: Audio House Giving Away 6 Tons Of Durian...

Delivery Food Rider Allegedly Pretended To Be Involved In An Accident...

Woman So Angry At a Neighbour’s Cat, She Threw a Kitten...