KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore is to hold the country's first ever “zero-waste” event in an effort to boost public education on the ways to reduce carbon emissions on September 2, the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) announced on Friday. Being dubbed “Singapore G1,” it is the largest environmentally-sustainable lifestyle event in Singapore and will see 15,000 participants taking part in the various activities such as a walkathon that will start from two MRT stations – Lavender and Stadium and end at Marina Barrage – a soapbox derby exhibition where the public can drive the green “karts” around the Marina Barrage and a showcase of music performances and photography exhibition. Members of the public will also have the opportunity to try out the new Nissan Leaf, the world's first mass-produced 100 percent electric vehicle. The National Climate Change Secretariat will also be showcasing the key elements of the National Climate Change Strategy document and Singapore's plans to address climate change through a “whole-of-nation approach.” The project also aims to demonstrate to event organizers and corporations that it is possible to hold events that are carbon neutral, and generate little waste following the SEC's example of minimal use of posters and banners as well as placing recycling bins in the event arena so water bottles used by participants are recycled. “Thousands of events are held in Singapore each year and as the lead organization which champions the environmental cause, we feel it is absolutely critical for the SEC to take the lead in demonstrating how events can be organized with as minimal waste as possible. More importantly, it can be cost effective as well,” said SEC's executive director Jose Raymond.
