Page 136 - Tzu Chi Q&A_First Edition

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What do Tzu Chi volunteers do with the Apart from recycling, what else does Tzu Chi do
unwanted items, such as furniture, people bring to help protect the environment?
to Tzu Chi’s recycling stations?
In an effort to reduce carbon
In an effort to help conserve the Earth’s resources, emissions, Tzu Chi volun-
Tzu Chi volunteers do their best to reuse, reduce teers use public transporta-
and recycle. If the items people discard, such as tion and carpool as much as
furniture, clothing, gadgets, or electronic devices, are possible. They also promote
still usable, Tzu Chi volunteers will examine them vegetarianism and bring
carefully and repair the broken parts to make sure their own eating utensils
they are in good shape and can be shared with people instead of using disposable Tzu Chi members bring re-
in need, such as Tzu Chi’s aid or care recipients. If ones when eating out. To usable eating utensils with
them to reduce the amount
the discarded items are unusable, the volunteers will raise environmental aware- of waste created after each
tear them apart and sort the disassembled parts by ness, the volunteers often meal. (Dai Yu-ling)
material. organize talks on environmental issues, beach and
mountain cleanups, and tree-planting activities.
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Most of Tzu Chi’s buildings have rainwater collec-
How are the proceeds from selling recyclables tion systems and solar panels, and the grounds are
used? paved with interlocking bricks, instead of concrete or
asphalt, on top of gravel so
In Taiwan, the proceeds fund Da Ai TV. In Malaysia, rainwater can seep into the
they support Tzu Chi’s free dialysis centers there. In earth.
China and many other countries, the money is used
to help people in need, such as the poor or students Most of the buildings Tzu Chi builds
from impoverished families. are paved with interlocking bricks
on top of gravel so rainwater can
seep into the earth. (Yan Ren-peng)

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