Cleaner campus: Motomura (centre, squatting) posing with volunteers after the cleanup.
TWENTY bags – that’s how much trash a group of students collected during the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) Farming Club’s “Zero Littering Challenge” to commemorate World Environment Day recently.
The volunteers spent the evening of June 5 removing decayed plastic waste, clearing bulky items dumped by the roadside, and picking up drinking containers.
Spearheaded by Ryuta Motomura, a Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons) (Artificial Intelligence) student at the varsity, the activity was aimed at tackling littering in common areas beyond the campus buildings.
The club, under Motomura’s leadership, has transformed borrowed land and plant pots from APU into a flourishing “Farming Island”.
Here, club members participate in every step of the agricultural process, from sowing seeds to harvesting crops, gaining invaluable agricultural knowledge and practical experience.
Motomura envisioned the project as a step towards self-sufficiency and environmental stewardship, with the harvested crops either sold on campus or used for community activities.
However. the accumulation of litter such as plastic bottles, bags and aluminium cans in non-pedestrian areas has posed a threat to that vision.
To address this issue, the club organised the “Zero Littering Challenge” to raise environmental awareness and maintain a clean area around APU, fostering a conducive environment for plant growth.
“Our project can have a positive impact on humanity. Keeping the farming space clean is an integral part of this,” Motomura said.
The two-hour event, which drew some 40 participants, including club members and the varsity’s international students, was in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to achieve zero hunger, and create sustainable cities and communities.
Club vice president Miyu Hiruta said the participants gathered after class at 6pm as the cooler temperature made the cleanup more comfortable.
“Everyone should be more aware of their surroundings, especially in terms of environmental cleanliness.
“Not only should we all volunteer for these types of events, but we should also promote the importance of environmental awareness at any given chance to raise public awareness,” said Hiruta, a Foundation in Business student.
David Joshua Edulan, a Bachelor in Banking and Finance (Hons) student specialising in Financial Technology, expressed his hope that everyone becomes passionate about helping the Earth become a better and cleaner place.
“I had a lot of fun participating in the event. I would like to show my peers the benefits of cleaning up and how it can make them better people.”
Looking ahead, Motomura emphasised the club’s commitment to maintaining a clean environment for farming as it promotes the healthy growth of crops and efficiency.
“We also plan to maintain a sustainable agricultural environment through regular cleaning activities.
“By demonstrating concrete actions, I believe more people will be encouraged to participate in environmental protection,” he said.
