Metro

Saturday September 5, 2009

Group drives home no plastic bag message at Merdeka bazaar

By PRIYA MENON


WHAT could be better than a day of shopping, contributing to charity, saving the environment and celebrating Merdeka?

Eager shoppers dropped by at the Noble Banquet at Jalan Bukit Bintang on Aug 31 for the No Plastic Bag Bazaar, which was organised by the Recyclists, a volunteer group that works on green projects in the Klang Valley.

Their campaigns focus on raising awareness in environmental issues, as well as raising money to fund the awareness projects.

These handmade lamps made from recycleable materials are a great way to decorate homes with a funky contemporary edge

Working together with Threadszoo, a homegrown company that organises bazaars, the Recyclist managed to get vendors who were also conscious about the environment.

“We are trying to get one million signatures for our ‘reduce one plastic bag a day concept’. One plastic bag a person will translate to one million plastic bags a day,” volunteer Peter Ong said.

“We feel that wildlife in Malaysia needs help and we never knew there were so many endangered species here,” he said.

Organiser Deanna Ibrahim from Threadszoo said it was the perfect opportunity for them to join in for a worthy cause.

Different from the rest: Peter Wong stood out from the scores of clothes on sale as he was selling worm compost or what he playfully calls worm poo.

“We have always wanted to do charity work and work with animals at the same time so this was the perfect event for us to help organise,” Deanna said.

At the bazaar, one of their vendors, Honda, donated 600 free carrier bags for shoppers to carry.

Pre-loved clothes, shoes and accessories were available in abundance as well as eco-friendly merchandise.

Xandria Ooi also opened up a booth to sell some of her pre-loved clothes worth hundreds of ringgit.

“I am selling a lot of the things I bought in Australia when I was studying there. The clothes are really good quality and I’m selling them for really cheap prices,” she said.

Ooi said she tried to be as environmentally friendly as possible by bringing her own bags when she does her grocery shopping.

Other artistes like Deborah Priya Henry auctioned off her Cole Haan bag worth RM 1,400 and a bracelet and pendant as well.

Artistes like Elvira Arul, Edwin Sumun, Hannah Lo, Sharizan Borhan, Zalina Lee, Ida Marianna and Ash Nair crooned to the crowd for donations.

They managed to collect RM8,300 from the event as all 70 vendors gave up 10% of their sales.

Proceeds were handed to the Malaysian Nature Society and the Furry Friends Farm (FFF) who had their hand in rescuing the Pulau Ketam dogs.

A Recyclist: We are trying to get one million signatures for our ‘reduce one plastic bag a day concept’.

Some of the notable items on sale were handmade soap by Michelle Ho, who began her own little factory in the kitchen a year ago.

“I started making handmade soaps for my daughter who had allergies,” Ho, who sells her wares online and at bazaars only, said.

Her Kinder Soaps company has now begun selling Body Butter made from her favourite Cocoa Butter which she says is good for the skin.

Another noteworthy items would be bio-degradeable kitchen utensils for both adults and children. Made from rice husk, the plates, forks and spoons as well as chopsticks are reusable.

“This is a first in the market and we have just begun our road shows at bazaars. The items will be launched at Metrojaya and Jusco in September,” Melsom Biodegradable marketing manager Calvin Koh said.

Vendor Peter Wong stood out from the scores of clothes stalls as he was selling worm compost or what he playfully called ‘worm poo’.

According to him, the compost is one of the most natural fertilisers for plants.

There were also several NGOs who showed up to raise funds for their organisations like the Pink Triangle Foundation and the Parents Without Partners (PWP).

“We joined the cause today as we felt we wanted to do something for the environment as well. Plus we wanted to spread the awareness to most of the youths here today,” Pink Triangle acting executive director Raymond Tai said.

Furry Friends Farm (FFF), one of the beneficiaries, was grateful for being chosen to receive the proceeds.

Trying her hand at sales: Xandra Ooi at her where she sold a lot of the things she had bought while studying in Australia.

FFF founder Sabrina Yeap Wen said the money would be used to treat, vaccinate and neuter the 24 dogs rescued from Pulau Ketam.

“We have no means of raising funds for ourselves but bazaars like this allow people to come and contribute in their own way,” she said.

Those who would like to pledge to reduce their plastic bag usage can do so at www.projectdailymillion.com.

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