Page 154 - Towards A Sustainable Future 2024

Participating in this project shed light on the pressing issue of global warming, encompassing
rising sea levels, air pollution, and escalating temperatures. Through our research and practical
involvement, I gained a profound understanding of the detrimental effects of plastic and food
waste on the environment. Plastic, being non-biodegradable, poses a significant threat as it
persists in the environment for hundreds of years, contributing to pollution and exacerbating
wildfires. Furthermore, food waste squanders valuable resources and generates methane
emissions when decomposing in landfills, intensifying climate change.

This project served as a wake-up call for me, prompting a newfound awareness of the
importance of environmental conservation. I realised the significant impact that small
individual actions, such as reducing plastic and food waste, can have in mitigating climate
change and safeguarding our planet’s future. With guidance from our teacher, we were able to
Nur Azlyn Binte develop practical solutions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering positive
Mohd Azim environmental change. Moving forward, I am committed to continuing my efforts to protect
and preserve our environment, knowing that every action, no matter how small, contributes
to making a difference.

Through our participation in this project, I gained valuable insights into the multitude of
approaches available for conserving energy and reducing plastic waste. We focused on
maintaining sustainability within a healthcare setting, specifically a nursing home, so we had to
consider our ideas and solutions carefully. We identified significant energy consumption within
the nursing home, particularly regarding electricity usage. Additionally, the implementation of
COVID-19 safety measures led to a substantial increase in plastic waste, with the nursing home
failing to recycle plastic bento sets after meals, instead disposing of them as general waste.

In response to these challenges, my team proposed Solution 1: replacing plastic bento sets
with biodegradable bowls/plates for meals. This reduced costs and had a less detrimental
impact on the environment. Furthermore, we suggested serving residents with reusable
utensils and implementing a dishwasher to wash them despite difficulties securing staffing for
this task. However, we were pleased that the nursing home adopted the use of dishwashers as
we had proposed, leading to cost and carbon footprint reductions. Throughout the project, my
Maia Afiqah Binte team shared our challenges and failures as we navigated unfamiliar territory in finding ways to
Mohd Rizal reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption in a nursing home. Despite the difficulties,
we were determined to address plastic waste, the most prevalent form of waste generated. We
hope our solutions, mainly removing plastic bento sets and introducing reusable cutlery, have
contributed to the nursing home’s sustainability efforts.

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