The Buffalo Horn #8 (Fall 2019) by UBSC Publications

The Buffalo Horn 8th Edition

CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

03 03

Directors’ Note

Meet the Team

SIM-UB STO RI ES

FOC: Fall 2019

CLUB: Eco-SIM Club

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Natasha Chandra

PROFESSOR SPOTLIGHT: Reena Dabas

PROFESSOR SPOTLIGHT: Samuel Wong

RECYCLING IN KOREA: Jongnyang je

BEHIND THE MAGAZINE

LET’S GO GREEN

Coney Island Cleanup

Zero Out Imperfectly

One Week Sustainability Challenge

The Dark Side of Sustainability

Self-care Through Relationships

Showtime

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DIRECTORS’ NOTE

“My earliest experiences with environmentalism date back to the first Earth Day — April 22, 1970. I have since learned that we can always reduce the wastefulness of modern throwaway society in small ways. Now, I carry my lunch in reusable plastic containers from home. It seems trivial but many small acts of conservation can add up to a big difference for the planet.” ~ Kevin McKelvey, Resident Director, SIM-UB Programs

“For me, sustainability has been a lifelong journey and exploration. Every day I make small decisions — to da bao or dine in, to take a Grab or a bus. I encourage you to take your time in university to learn and unlearn habits that impact the natural world for the better — lest we all go the way of Mufasa.” ~ Katie Fassbinder, Assistant Resident Director, SIM-UB Programs

“As partakers of this beautiful planet, it is our duty to ensure that our future generations can relish the resources we have. Thus, it is important that we start taking small steps daily, like taking public transport instead of cars, throwing things into the right places and most importantly, reducing waste. Sustainability is not a trend — it is a lifestyle.” ~ Gautham Manesh, President, SIM-UB Student Council 2019

“I was taught the 3 Rs as a kid, but I was not told the reason why. It was not until my Summer exchange to Korea when I was exposed to the country’s mandatory waste management system called the jongnyangje. It taught me that sustainability is not an all-or-nothing act, but about how small actions have great impact on our environment.”

“What started off as a cool idea for the magazine turned out to be an eye-opening experience. As someone who once thought of it as a consumerism gimmick, I now carry around my own utensils. If you’re still doubtful towards going green, I encourage you to read on and find out how integrating small, sustainable changes into your life can make a huge impact.”

~ Tricia Lim, Director of Publications, SIM-UB Student Council 2019

~ Cheryl Poh, Director of Publications, SIM-UB Student Council 2019

MEET THE TEAM Chief Editors

Tricia

Cheryl

Shar

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Xavier 4

Diyanah

i Hada

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Sum Nicole

D e s ig ne d b y No o r H a daina

MEET THE TEAM

Andr

Cindy

Alex

Jun Ji

Miko

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Alvin

d Bran Jae-lyn

FOC

Into the Alternis Words by N icole Tan & J a e - l y n Yi e w Phot os by A l e x Ta n Fall is a season of change. It is when we find ourselves facing the unexpected; just like how leaves turn red, we experience change ourselves. While we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what to expect in a fresh environment full of strangers, a goal to reinvent ourselves led to us stepping out of our comfort zones and into that of Camp Alternis.

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FOC

s us freshmen flooded into the hall lugging our heavy bags, we could feel the air gradually fill with excitement and apprehension. Soon, nervous chatter began to take its place, as we became increasingly unsure of what to expect in the lead-up to the camp’s official start. Through ice-breaker games and their hilarious forfeits, we started warming up to one another. We were then split into our respective houses — Fornax, Kyra, and Vega — to get acquainted with our orientation group leaders (OGLs) and groupmates. Demonstrating their various cheers, our OGLs had us all riled up by the time we were ready to leave school for the campsite. Boarding the coach headed for Sembawang Camp Challenge — packed full with our barang barang — the air once again filled with chatter and music. Soon after arriving, we learned the steps to our mass dance which spurred everyone to get pumped and in the mood for more exciting and fun-filled games. When the sun began to set, our groups were divided into smaller teams to embark on the spooky night walk. Each daunting station gave a clue to the location of the missing leaders. To get clues, we had to brave the eerie darkness and unnerving jump scares to search for puzzle pieces. In the midst of terrifying screams, teams rushed against the clock to form a complete message. With a little ingenuity and teamwork, the puzzle was pieced together to form the words, “Legacy Hall 2”. That was the location of our “abducted” camp commandants!

The following day started off with the Amazing Race at Sembawang Park. With each station, we had to race against time to complete each round before proceeding to the next. Together with our newfound group of friends, we conquered each challenge through teamwork, fun and a competitive spirit. With each challenge conquered, we accumulated and tabulated our scores and, at the end of the day, emerged victorious in the face of our rivaling teams! When night came, we were tasked to come up with an impromptu performance for everyone. Some came up with skits with hilarious impersonations of OGLs, while others danced their hearts out to tell a story. The OGLs performed a comedic skit, “Survival Guide to Camping,” that led to everyone roaring with laughter. Each performance revealed the freshmen and OGLs’ flair for drama and comedy, with the contrast of hilarious skits and dramatic performances. On the last day, we returned to campus for a last round of games and engaged in a friendly cheer competition. Each house cheered their hearts out with vigor and enthusiasm, boasting their team spirit. The entire orientation camp eventually ended with a prize presentation, where Amazing Race winners and the Best Orientation Group were awarded. The camaraderie and friendships fostered in Camp Alternis were truly unforgettable. We have no doubt that the memories made will be one to look back fondly upon as a great start to a new chapter in our lives.

CLUB

Eco-SIM

SIMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First & Only Environmental Club Words & phot os by Mi ko P a n g

t is now the norm to see many campaigns about the foregoing of plastic straws, the hype on eco-stores, and the myriad of influencers talking about the green life. In fact, it would be surprising not to know about the green scene taking Singapore by storm. Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) is ahead in participating in green efforts with the birth of its very own environmental club, Eco-SIM. Founded in 2017 by a bunch of environment-loving students, the club has brought into SIM recycling bins, e-waste bins, as well as their largest event of the year â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the Sustainability Fair.

With aspirations to inspire change in students to create a greener and more sustainable future, Eco-SIM offers a platform as a student-led environmental group within SIM for like-minded individuals who want to learn and explore ways in which they can be more involved with doing a part to save the environment.

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CLUB

The club has brought many initiatives into SIM over the short two years since it was established. One example is the electronic waste (e-waste) bin. Located outside B.3.01, the Eco Corner is home to the e-waste bin, and is no stranger to those who frequent Block B. The e-waste bin is still pretty lonely now, but in the near future, Eco-SIM hopes to build up the Eco Corner to provide SIM students with more ways to participate in eco-friendly efforts, including educational posters, and a Save-The-Pen recycling bin. Another improvement Eco-SIM hopes to work on would be the increased involvement of the student body in SIM. Some ways include organizing more external activities such as clean-ups and educational nature walks. In an effort to lead club members to participate in talks or events that promote sustainability, Eco-SIM attended the SG Climate Rally on 21st September 2019. It was the first ever physical rally in Singapore to call for the government to take action with regard to climate change. Eco-SIM supported fellow Singaporeans in the call for climate action by participating in the die-in event. On the same day, the club also had their first clean-up for the year 2019. Eco-SIM organized a clean-up event for their members, in partnership with Kindred. The event lasted for three hours at Ang Mo Kio Park and cleared about 150 kilograms of trash!

Apart from these activities, the club has been working on its flagship event, the Sustainability Fair, since the start of the year. The event brought vendors into SIM to sell eco-friendly products and to educate the student body on how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. The executive committee of Eco-SIM also manned a booth of their own to educate fellow students on how to be more sustainable in school and even had a thrift store that sold second-hand clothes donated by students of SIM. All proceeds from the thrift store will be donated to World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Singapore. This is not all Eco-SIM has to offer â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the club has recently started an ongoing campaign called #PlasticLessinSIM, to encourage SIM students to reduce plastic use in school. Once every two weeks, a winner will be chosen to receive a set of Seastainable Wheatbox Utensils.

To find out more about Eco-SIM, the Sustainability Fair, and what you can do as a student to play a part in saving our planet, head down to ecosimsg.com or visit their Instagram page @eco_sim_!

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Words by A l v i n H o Ph ot os by Alex Tan & S u m e dh Ya da v a l l i

pending her weekday evenings at acting classes and interacting with adoring crowds on the weekends, 21-year-old Natasha Chandra leads a life uncommon for many SIM-UB students. I sat down with the budding young actress to find out how she juggles school and a social life while in the spotlight of an acting competition.

As if life as a university student wasn’t already tough enough, imagine the pressure and stress one has to deal with in a major talent competition. Such is the life of Natasha, an SIM-UB student competing in Mediacorp’s Star Search. With a bounce in her step, Natasha arrived at our meeting location cheerful and eager to share her story. Just like her onscreen persona, she is as carefree as she is portrayed. As we started the interview, she mused, “I’ll try not to be awkward!”

Leading the Student Life Starting off the conversation about school, the SIM-UB Sociology major revealed she had joined her course on a whim. “My friend told me she had already applied and she sent me the application form the next day! So I thought, Sociology sounds cool... Why not?” she recalled.

“I feel SIM-UB is a cozy place to be in,” she admitted, feeling a sense of comfort whenever she sees familiar faces around school. With many students sharing similar classes, it helped her become closer to her peers each time she started a new semester.

Graduating from Singapore Polytechnic with a Media and Communications diploma, she wanted to do something complementary for her undergraduate studies. Originally, her impression of Sociology was mixed as she was mostly clueless to what the course entailed. However, her impression has since changed, and she now feels passionately about her major.

She also noted how SIM-UB’s American style of teaching added to her enjoyment, where the interactions between professors and students increased her interest in subjects. “I really like the professors! I think they’re very passionate about what they teach,” said Natasha, recalling the positive learning experiences she has had so far.

“Right now, I feel like I am a lot more interested in studying groups of people — how they interact with one another — as opposed to studying one person, which I think can be boring.”

“The only thing about studying here is that the holidays seem a bit short!”

With regard to her day-to-day life, Natasha considers herself a typically quiet and reserved person, and she knew it would be difficult for her to adapt to a new environment, especially when having to socialize with new people in university. Fortunately, life in SIM-UB started well; she quickly made new friends and she has been enjoying her lessons since.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

“It’s also about finding good people around you to enjoy the ride with.” - Natasha Chandra

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Chasing the Stars

Best of Both Worlds

Our conversation quickly shifted to her external pursuits, which primarily consisted of her taking part in Star Search. For readers who may not know, Star Search is a talent contest where thousands of hopefuls across Singapore compete to become the next Chinese TV star.

Natasha also recalled all the acting, dance, language and etiquette training she had received throughout the competition and how she managed to find time to study and act at the same time. “Honestly, it felt like I was Hannah Montana!” she quipped.

Being in such a competition, contestants must have a good grasp of Mandarin to excel. Despite her non-Mandarin speaking family background, Natasha learnt to be fluent through her time spent in education.

“Just like the TV show, I realised that finding a balance between my two responsibilities (Star Search and school) is really important!”

“My parents are from Indonesia and do not know Mandarin at all,” she explains. “I learnt how to speak it well mostly through school, conversing with friends and watching a lot of Chinese shows on television!” With Mandarin not being her first language, and having little prior experience in acting or being in front of the camera, what made Natasha join such a competition? “All thanks to my friends! I used to work behind the scenes on various dramas and a lot of my colleagues and friends kept telling me to try it out. So, just like how I joined UB, I thought, ‘Okay, why not?’ and just did it!” she chuckled. Joining such a large-scale competition was sure to be tough, and Natasha shared with me how she felt about her journey thus far. She recounted how the experience was not a smooth one, personally having gone through various ups and downs, despite the novelty of the competition. “I have this thing about me — I need to do something crazy in my life at least once a year! So for this year, it was to join Star Search!” she jested.

“I learnt so much during my time in the competition. Going to roadshows and fan meet-ups where I had to interact with so many people has made me mentally stronger and more confident about myself.” With such high commitment required for Star Search, time management was one of the most important things Natasha learnt, especially with the limited free time she has. By managing her time well, she was able to be more organized in order to handle the stress coming from both school and the competition effectively. Natasha also reflected on how having a good support system was essential throughout her journey. Having family and friends to advise and encourage her to not be afraid of taking risks eventually allowed her to do well. “Just like in Hannah Montana, it’s all about finding balance and taking risks,” Natasha said. “It’s also about finding good people around you to enjoy the ride with.”

Taking some time to compose herself from her excitement, Natasha’s assured demeanor shone through in her enthusiasm. However, she revealed how confidence was something she had to work on. “About one month in, my confidence took a hit because I often compare myself to the other contestants. Many of them come from acting or modeling backgrounds and are very natural in front of the camera. I’m used to being behind the camera, but now, I have to be in front of it to perform. It was difficult at first.” “I just told myself I had to try and gain confidence step by step and be more open and receptive to new challenges. So now, I am taking it as it goes and following the flow!”

Mediacorp star gets jumped by overenthusiastic fan (Alvin) but remains smiling because he is holding an umbrella for her in the heat.

PROFESSOR SPOTLIGHT

Thoughts of of a a Thoughts Psych Professor Professor Psych Words by Chi n J u n J i e Phot os by Dr. Reena Daba s & S u m e dh Ya da v a l l i

amed for her rigid stance against smoking and her ban on electronics in PSY101 and PSY199 classes, Dr. Reena Dabas is arguably one of the most iconic professors at the SIM-UB campus. Many of her undergraduates subsequently recount the impact of her lessons in awe and even more look back upon her lessons with a certain fondness. One afternoon, I had the exclusive opportunity to have a chat with Dr. Reena to find out what makes her tick, and how she manages to psych her students into enjoying learning — even if it’s a lecture held at 8:30 in the morning.

Your students do coloring exercises in exams, that’s so cool! Yeah, yeah I do that! In my PSY199 exam, I give them coloring to do. Students have that anxiety and they’re always so tense and I feel that this does affect their performance. I give them two pictures and they seem to be very excited. I don’t remind my students that they have an exam. Instead, I remind them to bring color pencils and they feel very excited. They are associating something positive with the exam and my students give me a lot of positive comments about it. This is probably a kind of way that they can feel more relaxed and not get that anxiety and stress from the exams.

That’s interesting! Out of curiosity, what is something you wish more students knew about you? I think that I am not a person who gives a lot of importance to marks. Honestly speaking, I don’t really want to know who scores more or less marks in my modules. I want the students to be able to apply what they learn in the class because my module helps you to understand the behavior of a person. At the end of the day, I want them to own their learning and be a constructive thinker.

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PROFESSOR SPOTLIGHT You’ve been teaching in SIM-UB since the launch of its Psychology program. What is the most rewarding part of it? Every day is rewarding for me. When I end my lecture and see the smiles on the students’ faces, that is always a rewarding part of teaching. Another part I always cherish is that wherever I go, I see my students and they all recognize me after so many years. That’s the most rewarding part for me: the love of the students.

On the flip side, what are the challenges you face as a lecturer? Most of my students come with this fear and they keep things to themselves. That’s the biggest challenge: to make them come out of their cocoon and start talking in the class. Some days I see myself as a clown in the class. I want to make the people laugh and interact, but the people just stare at me (laughs). Some of them don’t even have a change in the facial expression and you do not know what is going on in their minds.

In relation to this issue of The Buffalo Horn, the topic of sustainability seems to be trending. What are your thoughts? I don’t think it’s a trend. If it is a trend it’ll fade away but it has not. I can even see it becoming more popular. Being eco-friendly is not a trend, it’s a mindset. So I think once you have it, you start practicing it. Once you practice it, I don’t think people will get away from this. It’s a lifestyle, of course. Your understanding, your mindset, your lifestyle.

Do you think there is a link between psychology and sustainability? I think the moment you consider it as a mindset, psychology comes into play. Psychology is all about the behavior and thinking process of the people and I think you can adopt this behavior, this action, only after you have given it deep thought. Sometimes, people do it because of social identity; they want to be a part of that group. There are also people who do it because of self-perception, and they want to draw an understanding of themselves from their own actions. When you are involved with positive activities such as sustainability, you get a positive evaluation of yourself and be more motivated to continue. Overall, I think that the word “mindset” brings it very close to psychology.

Does that mean we can use psychology to sell sustainability? Yeah! We actually can because the biggest part of it comes with persuasion: how we can persuade people to be sustainable. Psychology gives you a lot of ways to persuade people and make them see the importance of it. In fact, this scenario is very close to that of health check-ups. Why do people avoid health check-ups? Because sometimes, we have a mental block! We know we should get one done, but we just do not know how to. Psychology can be very much involved in sustainability by helping people to understand why it is important. The biggest fear humans have is doing something they have never done before. This is simply because they do not know how to do it. Many a time, you attend talks and the people say, “oh, sustainability is so important”, but I think that firstly, nobody tells you why it is important, and secondly, nobody tells you how to practice it. Knowing how to practice sustainable habits is important and we can involve psychology in that area.

PROFESSOR SPOTLIGHT

More than Music Words by Mat t h e w Kw o n g Ph ot os by Dr. S a m u e l Wo n g

nrolled in his MUS 115 (understanding music) module in the summer, I was in for an awakening, right from the start. Decked in typical athleisure fashion comprising of gym tee and track pants, you would be forgiven for thinking that he was a fellow student. In hindsight, his dress sense perfectly encapsulates the unorthodox approach he adopts in his lessons and general life. Besides his classes here at SIM-UB, he is also the Co-founder and Creative Director of The TENG Company. In this sit-down interview, I strived to discover the inner thoughts of Dr. Samuel Wong.

On why SIM-UB? Dr. Wong shares that although he lives pretty near campus, he did not immediately apply for a teaching position here. It was only after his mother’s suggestion that he considered it. “My mother encouraged me and said, ‘Why don’t you just apply to SIM?’ as I hadn’t received any music job offers. I sent my application in and, about two to three months later, I got an e-mail from them saying that my application is receiving attention. Then I met Kevin McKelvey, we clicked, and I realized that I don’t mind teaching here. This is how SIM-UB became one of the few schools that I teach at.”

On a typical day

On his career choice For someone who enjoys traveling widely, being a professor seems like an intriguing choice. Personally, however, he shares that it’s an aspiration that he has harbored since his childhood days. “My mother was a teacher, my grandmother was a teacher. I think I looked up to them from a very young age, so I always knew I wanted to work in education. The other roles that I have as a creative director or performer were not calculated. When I was in primary school, my teacher asked us, ‘Where do you see yourself in the future? What do you want to be when you grow up?’, and one of the things I wanted to do was to teach,” says Dr. Wong.

As a saying goes, “Every day is a new adventure.” This truly applies to Dr. Wong’s life as no two days of his are similar. He goes on to elaborate that he spends his Tuesdays and Thursdays in SIM, giving lectures to students, while the rest of the week is spent on managing his company. He appreciates the great degree of freedom granted to plan his syllabus and lessons. “I’m very much in control of the syllabus because I created it and have been running it for the past 10 years. I make improvements to the classes every semester.”

On a lesson he tries to teach his students “Stay inspired.” Not satisfied with his own response, Dr. Wong adds, “So if I’m inspired, I can inspire my students. If I’m jaded, my students will be jaded as well.” I proceeded to ask him about the lessons that music has taught him. After giving it some thought, Dr. Wong reponds, “It has taught me discipline. It’s taught me tenacity as well, so that you go through life not only being disciplined but also to forge ahead and to push that boundary.”

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PROFESSOR SPOTLIGHT

Photo courtesy of The TENG Company

On his youthfulness

On fellow local musicians

I jumped at the opportunity to discover the secret to his youthfulness in his appearance and attitudes. Of his appearance, Dr. Wong attributes it to the genetics he’s blessed (or cursed) with. He jokingly laments how his youthful looks have inconvenienced him. “There was one incident where I stepped into my exam. The invigilators actually wanted me to place my bag down and take the exam with my students. I’m met with the outbursts of laughter whenever I share this incident with my students.”

He states that it varies from time to time, judging them by their music. He admits that one local musician who has earned his respect is singer-songwriter Charlie Lim, who in Dr. Wong’s words is “really amazing”. Another musician he respects, albeit lesser-known, is the jazz pianist, Chok Kerong.

On a piece of advice he would give to his younger self

Firstly, Dr. Wong hopes that it can remain sustainable even as it grows to become a larger organization. Secondly, he aspires to use The TENG Company to reshape public perception of what Chinese music is, and its ability to break stereotypes.

“Just seize the day. I’m fine if I die today or tomorrow. Why be upset over something that is inevitable? Everyone’s going to die sooner or later anyway but the point is trying to live the fullest of every day.”

On his goals for The TENG Company in the next few years

On Chinese music and its direction locally

On sustainability

“I think there are many players on the scene right now. It’s great that we have a great amount of diversity in opinions, and I try to see Chinese music not as Chinese music but more as an instrument in itself. I don’t see the instrument which I play, the pipa, as solely a Chinese instrument. I just think of it as an instrument. That allows me to play all kinds of music, ranging from Indian music to rock. For me, the pipa is an instrument of expression and I don’t associate a strong sense of Chinese-ness to it.”

In line with this issue of The Buffalo Horn, I asked for his views on sustainability. “Sustainability is absolutely integral and should be a part of everyday life,” Dr. Wong commented. I posed one final question — What else would you be doing, if not teaching in a university or working with the company? “I don’t know. It really depends on what I’m interested in. I’m a very random person so whatever I’m interested in, I would just go ahead,” he tells me, as we chuckled at his response.

RECYCLING IN KOREA

Jongnyangje Waste Management in South Korea Words & ph ot os by A n dre a L o h

ersonally, taking 15 or more credit hours every semester is exhausting. Top it up with activities in and out of school and, not to mention, a part-time job — one word summarizes it all — draining. While I do get a great sense of achievement at the end of each semester, the need for a break grew apparent. The perfect opportunity arose when several summer school advertisements popped up around campus. While the primary intention of enrolling in summer school was to take a breather, immersing myself in the Korean culture turned out to be an eye-opener, though it was not my first time there — and I owe it all to the experience of living in a local’s home. As soon as I checked in, the owner taught us about waste sorting in South Korea: where to put the paper, plastics, cans, food waste, and other general waste. The recycling system, called Jongnyangje, comprises of special biodegradable bags in different sizes printed with the respective district’s name. Initially, I had expectations that the owner would also go through the basics of operating the household appliances since the manuals and controls were in Korean, a language that was somewhat foreign to me at that point in time. However, he left shortly after highlighting the recycling regulations.

Though waste sorting is not commonly practiced in Singapore, I thought it was doable and did not give much thought to it until I tried to prepare my own meals. I remember one instance when only half the packet of paste was used, and my first instinct was to throw it into the bin directly. Thankfully, I quickly remembered that I first needed to empty the remaining paste in the food trash, and then place the empty packet in the bin. To me, it was honestly inconvenient as my pot of soup was already boiling and on the brink of overflowing, yet I had to go through the hassle of separating the waste. Following several incidents of such inconvenience, I was curious to find out more about garbage sorting, and whether it actually helped in contributing to sustainability. As such, I decided to do some research, and I realized that South Korea actually has one of the best recycling rates in the world, at a whopping 53.7%, as compared to the average of 26.2% globally. I also found out that there were specific rules for what could be considered as food waste — the suggested rule of thumb is to include only what animals can eat. Seeds of fruits, hard shells — such as the shells of clams and eggs — poultry bones as well as tea bags are some examples of food that are not acceptable as food waste (which also meant that I previously sorted my trash wrongly despite going through all the hassle).

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RECYCLING IN KOREA

Photo courtesy of CEMS Club Seoul

Additionally, there are also fixed hours (6:00pm to 12:00am) for taking out the food trash to be collected by a garbage truck, and anyone found violating the rules could end up with a hefty fine. While exploring other areas of the city, I noticed that some residential estates had some rather unusual bins. Upon closer examination of the ATM-looking object, I realized that they were smart bins for residents to weigh and process their food waste. However, instead of rewarding residents for their waste sorting efforts, the machine charges residents for each gram of food waste generated. In this case, it seems like positive punishment is effective to discourage Koreans from generating food waste. Some Koreans had since taken this matter into their own hands — by making their own compost using the food waste generated, so that they chuck nothing away at all, at the same time avoiding the “fines” from the smart bin.

Despite the initial culture shock, I must say that the recycling effort of the Koreans is highly commendable. Recycling about 95% of its total food waste every year has contributed greatly to both the environment’s and the economy’s sustainability. Food waste collected from households are used mostly as animal feed, hence it is important to sort them out thoroughly. All other waste collected using biodegradable bags are squeezed at the processing plant to remove moisture that is used to create biogas and bio-oil. Although South Korea’s system is good, in my opinion, it may not work that well in Singapore as there is little to no demand for agricultural fertilizers and animal feed. However, we could definitely cultivate the habit of minimizing food waste or even start making our own compost from food waste. Simply separating the recyclables from other waste items in our homes could also be a hassle-free way to start. Thanks to the past two months of disciplined waste sorting, recycling has become a habit, rather than a chore unlike before. I highly encourage you to take small steps towards environmental sustainability, as every effort counts!

D e s ig ne d b y D iy anah Sy a hira h; P ho t o s b y Su me dh Yadav alli

LET’S GO GREEN

CONEY ISLAND CLEANUP Words by Alex Tan Photos by Sumedh Yadavalli

t’s one thing to preach the importance of reducing our waste and impact on the environment, but it’s altogether a different matter when you have to lead by example; clearing Singapore’s shores and seeing an immense yet quantifiable volume of trash by the end of your efforts. The Publications team took time out to help clean up Singapore’s beaches on a Saturday morning as part of the 28th International Coastal Cleanup. Organized by Trash Hero Singapore, the aim of the event was to help The Ocean Conservancy — situated all the way in the US of A — analyze the types of trash found on our sandy shores. Groggily making our way to Coney Island at 9:00am, we were unsure of what to expect. Like fish out of water, none of us had ever embarked on activities like this before. For some of us — including myself — it was the first time we had even set foot there.

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LET’S GO GREEN

he journey to the meeting point was arduous in itself due to the distance we had to cover, thanks to its lack of proximity to nearby parking lots. Moreover, certain sections were unpaved, making for an uncomfortable walk, with the occasional jagged rock sticking out from the path. Arriving at the meeting point of Beach E, our contact from Trash Hero Singapore, Yan Mei, provided instructions as to how to go about recording the types of trash we would find and collect. Her associates also provided us with industrial rubber gloves, so that we wouldn’t hurt our hands in the event we came across sharp items. When it came time for us to do the picking, we had a fair dose of skepticism as to how much waste we could collect.

After all, during our walk in, we had barely noticed any lying around. Still, having made our way this far, we couldn’t help but feel excited to get involved. Initially, some of us had a hard time trying to locate pieces of trash, as the well-trodden paths seemed to contain none. However, as time went on and we grew increasingly frustrated with our lack of finds, we decided to venture into unmarked areas. It was only when we made our way to these areas that we found multitudes of discarded waste. Of these, the most common items were plastic bottles and packaging, styrofoam containers and miscellaneous bits of PVC. We theorized that these items could either have been left behind by park visitors who had brought food onto the island and tossed them aside, or they could have been washed ashore from the sea during high tides. Seeing the sheer quantity was alarming, to say the least, since we never had such an idea that there was so much trash. Wrapping up and heading back to the meeting point after just over an hour, we were surprised to find our trash bags filled way more than expected. Yan Mei then gave a short talk, educating us all on how the various items could have come about, as well as getting us to think of how we could lower our output, thus reducing the need for that day’s event. From a mere abstraction, to seeing just how destructive our consumer habits are, we learned a great lesson that day about how wide the effects of our waste can be. If there was one takeaway from the entire day, it was the utmost need to “reduce”, since subsequent processes of “reuse” and “recycle” can be eliminated if we just cut down on what we consume.

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Zero Out Imperfectly Words by Cin dy Yo n g Phot os by Cindy Yon g, Su me dh Ya da v a l l i & A l e x Ta n

nne-Marie Bonneau, more famously known as the “Zero-Waste Chef”, once said, “We may never reach the zero in ‘zero waste’ but that’s no reason to take zero action. Don’t let the zero intimidate you! Zero waste is not an all-or-nothing concept. You don’t either do it perfectly or don’t do anything at all.” One such key measure to combat waste is to go plastic-free and low-waste, and eco-friendly businesses in Singapore have been on the rise. I had the privilege of having SIM-UB Assistant Resident Director Ms. Katie Fassbinder and Geography professor, Ms. Jessica Gilbert, on two weekday afternoon trips to The Social Space and Scoop Wholefoods respectively.

Photo courtesy of DanielFoodDiary

The Social Space, 333 Kreta Ayer Rd, #01-14, Singapore 080333 The Social Space, located along Kreta Ayer Road, is a socially conscious multi-concept store that houses a Fair Trade retail area, a nail salon, and a Tea Bar & Cafe. As of May 2019, The Social Space has opened its second store, a larger branch at Marina One, which features the exact ecoretail concept. Its mission is to provide opportunities to individuals who face a higher barrier to employment and to equip them with various skill sets through hosting workshops and hiring.

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At first glance, the store looks rather small and ordinary. Though, the nature-inspired logo with the capital letters “THE SOCIAL SPACE” plastered above the entrance makes it rather hard to miss. Adorned with rattan pieces and rustic wood furnishings, the lush, beachy interior immediately evokes the inviting. Feeling for an afternoon snack, Ms. Katie and I decided to head over to the Tea Bar & Cafe. “I had three cups of coffee today, so I think I’m going to get a pot of tea,” Ms. Katie chuckled. True to her words, our ever-perky Assistant Resident Director settled for a small pot of Summer Peach organic blended tea and four pieces of almond cookies for sharing, while I got myself a bottle of White Cold Brew Coffee. Soon after, a few members of our Publications team streamed in, and we got ourselves comfortable at a spacious communal table.

As a holder of a master’s degree in International Education, with an undergraduate concentration in Environmental Studies, Ms. Katie is no stranger to globalization and waste management. In fact, she is famed among professors and students for carrying her own set of cutlery and being a huge advocate for the Bring Your Own (BYO) movement, something that The Social Space stands for. The store also came up with Singapore’s first retail refillery, a concept of bringing your own containers to fill with eco-friendly household products, like soaps.

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“You don’t have to buy new things to go eco-friendly, it is all about being aware and saying no to what you don’t necessarily need,” said Ms. Katie. “I notice a lot of students would get food to-go, but why not make time to dine in and reduce the use of plastic?” Just like Anne-Marie Bonneau, Ms. Katie agrees that to go completely zero-waste is near to impossible. “By taking public transport and buying groceries that are prestored in plastic containers, we will always have a carbon footprint.” What we can do is to simply reduce and learn to say no.

Scoop Wholefoods, 163 Tanglin Rd, #02-17/18 Tanglin Mall, Singapore 247933

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Two days later, on a no-school Friday afternoon, I was casually eating a sandwich and sipping on a cup of hot latte when I noticed a lady with a stylish pixie cut pacing back and forth the entrance of Scoop Wholefoods. “Could this be Ms. Jessica Gilbert?” I wondered to myself. Back then, we had only spoken through emails, and truth to be told, I was a little nervous. My thoughts were soon disrupted by a phone call, and when I picked it up, I noticed that the same lady in front of me was holding up her mobile. Alas, that’s when I knew she was indeed her. We soon began our chat about the environment and sustainability.

“This is my second time here [at Scoop Wholefoods] actually,” shared Ms. Jessica, who came to SIM-UB to teach Geography for a few weeks before heading back to the New York campus. Ms. Jessica is a doctoral student and professor whose passion lies in food systems and environmental justice. Our conversation continued as we entered the Aussie-owned eco-friendly supermarket, and along the way, we were joined by some members of the Publications team. From dried fruits, pasta, chocolates to freshly made nut jars of butter, Scoop Wholefoods offer a plethora of raw, organic products primary from certified Australian and New Zealand growers and suppliers.

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The international wholefoods store also embodies the BYO movement, and you can purchase a mason jar or bring your own container to fill up on natural and raw goods. As we browsed through bulk bins of organic spreads, questions about sustainability and waste management started to pour in. “I am from the countryside, and growing up, I went to an environmental middle school,” shared Ms. Jessica. “For two years, I had outdoor activities as classes at a nature center. As my family did a lot of camping, environmentalism is kind of ingrained in me.”

When it comes to zero-waste, Ms. Jessica believes that food waste is one of the biggest contributors to environmental harm, with plastic consumption being the second. “We tend to think that if we recycle, we have done enough,” she remarked. “However, it’s more important to reduce by bringing your own, and repurpose what we already have.”

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In her own efforts to combat both food waste and plastic consumption, the eco-savvy Geography professor would tout around a collapsible food container and reusable bag for use on-the-go. Though, she clarifies that what works for her may not for someone else. Instead, she encourages us to find out what deters us from taking action and know what little steps we can take to consume less. “Sustainability should not be expensive,” she added. “We tend to shop our way out of it, but that is the absolute opposite way we deal with zero-waste. The purpose of sustainability is to use fewer resources!”

Easing into zero Whether or not we choose to consume less plastic, or make a decision to dine-in instead of take out, we can all make that shift today to be eco and socially aware of our environment. After all, it is never about the big things, but the little things that make a huge difference. So let’s ease our way into zero-waste, and do so imperfectly together.

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One Week Sustainability Challenge Wo r d s & p ho to s by Tricia Lim

alks on sustainability and challenging ourselves against wastage is a known topic to most of us here in the Publications department. In fact, when we decided to theme our Fall magazine along the lines of sustainability, an article of such was imminent. I immediately hopped up at the challenge with our Lead Writers, Alex and Cindy, and began brainstorming ideas on how we could challenge ourselves to be sustainable. We not only wanted to shape this up into a personal habit but also hoped to drive awareness through our actions. With a heart full of zeal, we were all geared up to embark on a week of saving the earth. Go vegan for a week? No way! That was exactly what ran through Cindyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mind, and even until today, she has no idea why she willingly considered to take on this plant-based diet challenge. Veganism is defined as a way of living that attempts to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty. With many jumping onto the green bandwagon, Cindy is determined to prove that going vegan, food-wise, in Singapore is anything but limiting and uninspiring.

Single-use plastic has been piling up in our bins and our oceans for the longest time, and my challenge was an attempt to rid it for a week â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the most clear-cut of the three. Despite how often this challenge has been done in the past year, I felt like it will only be enough when at least half of the people around me take the effort to eliminate plastic. Be it a simple cup carrier, a metal straw, or simply saying no to plastic bags, any form of refusal were baby steps to my end goal. Another form of waste that many of us discount is e-waste. As millennials, we love new technology and we especially love the new iPhone 11. But before you reach your hand for that shiny piece of metal, consider this: your current phone is working fine, your photos are decent, do you really need a new phone? Chances are most of you will say yes. With that in mind, Alex is here to challenge the presumption that old technology is not as useful as new technology.

Will they succeed or will they fail? Keep reading to find out!

D e s ig ne d b y No o r H a daina

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Going Vegan For A Week Words & phot os by C i n dy Yo n g

hen I first raised a hand to volunteer (as tribute) and attempt the “Going Vegan for a Week” challenge, I thought it would be easy — and boy, was I wrong. The night before the start of the challenge, I did some “homework” and asked my vegan friend for food recommendations. And out of the list she provided, I am pleased to say that I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried half of the suggestions. Aside from understanding that a vegan diet excludes all animal products, there are various types of vegan diets, and they do have their differences. For example, there is a raw-food vegan diet based on raw fruits, vegetables, nuts or plant foods cooked at temperatures below 118°F (48°C). There is also the 80/10/10 raw-food vegan diet that limits fat-rich plants such as nuts and avocados and relies mainly on raw fruits and soft greens instead.

VeganBurg and Maki-san, there’s more to veganism than leafy greens. The test of faith came during the mid-week. While I have the option of soy milk, but unfortunately, (not to sound dramatic) nothing could ever replace egg in my life. On Wednesday evening, I had a craving for spicy Korean ramyeon (no meat). I chose to dine in at a nearby restaurant and when I took my first bite, my taste buds recognized a familiar flavor — the taste of egg white. Oh no. The exhausted me had caved and gave in to instant gratification. Did I regret? As bashful as this may sound, not one bit (no pun intended). Final thoughts

To keep things simple for this challenge, I chose the whole-food vegan diet which consists of a wide variety of whole plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. I was rather surprised that there are plenty of plant-based eateries all over Singapore, and eating out was not an issue. From vegan food stalls in food courts to restaurants like

Though it was just a short seven days, this experience was certainly eye-opening. I reaped some health benefits, like clearer skin, and contrary to popular belief, I found myself to feel and be more energetic as the days went by. Sure, a plant-based diet may not be for everyone, but it is certainly worth a try. Would I make the switch? I have no qualms about devoiding myself of meat products, but parting with eggs and milk is no mean feat. Til’ the next challenge!

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Bye-Bye Single-Use Plastic (or so I thought)) Wo r d s & p ho to s by Tricia Lim

rowing up, I have always been one against wastage. In fact, I’m a hogger of all things remotely reusable, and I would split my meal into two portions and keep one for the next if I knew I could not finish in a sitting! So when sustainability efforts came knocking on my heart’s door last year, I thought to myself, “Nah, I’ve been doing a pretty decent job so far”. Despite that, I still did my due diligence and purchased my first metal straw late last year. My efforts grew since then, albeit sluggishly.

weight when it comes to sustainability efforts because even though I did not order take out, I was served singleuse plastic items! My heart sank, but I told myself that if it’s not something I could control, then I should not beat myself up over it.

When the time came for me to take up this challenge, I was more than willing. I figured eliminating plastic would be something I could pull off, especially since I already had a lot of the required items on hand, though most of them were bought solely for the gram. On the first day, I geared myself up for the challenge and packed a bag full of tools to aid me in this endeavor: a metal straw, a collapsible container, a set of utensils, a water bottle, and my trusty cup carrier. I was all smiles until I picked up my bag. It was heavy, but I soldiered on. Upon arrival in school, I dropped my bag off in the classroom and went to FoodClique as I always would, empty-handed. It was only after noticing a herd of students carrying plastic bags of food outside FoodClique did I realize that I had to take a 5-minute detour. It was depressing, and my stomach started growling in anger at my forgetfulness. The subsequent days went by a little better because of Day 1’s tragedy but by Day 4, I realized that I have been skipping my usual order of iced Milo just to ease the burden of having to wash my metal straw and bottle. Also, my food choices have been limited to the size of my container. This was when I knew I needed to do something about it. Plus, my favorite Five Grains noodles were calling out for me! I thought really hard and, as embarrassing as it may sound, the epiphany was that I could just eat in Kampung. Taking out was so much of a habit that eating in just did not cross my mind! When the weekend arrived, I took a trip to Shake Shack and this was when it hit me. Businesses carry the most

Final Thoughts Throughout this challenge, the biggest battle was not within, but with my friends, because they refused to smell like Kampung (apparently, the food smell lingers on clothing and hair). I, for one, got used to the smell and carried a small bottle of perfume to keep my friends happy. That aside, the entire experience of ridding myself of single-use plastic was much more manageable than expected. Of course, there were times when I had no choice but to use plastic, but if you plan your daily choices carefully, you can narrow it down to one a day, and possibly even none at all. Sustainability efforts are not something you can habituate in a day or two but in time, taking simple steps like refusing a plastic bag is all it takes on our part as individuals for businesses to hopefully realize that the biggest change comes from them. Despite having failed the challenge, I urge you to try it for yourself and see if you can do better than I did.

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Phoney Business: Keeping In Contact with mother nature Words & ph ot os b y A l e x Ta n

n a world where radical change comes at a whim as rapidly as fast-charging, two years is typically regarded as the life cycle of a smartphone. For perspective, my regular phone is a Xiaomi Mi A2 from 2018, so while it’s not exactly state-of-the-art, it does everything I ask of it nicely. In contrast, reverting to using my old Samsung Galaxy J5 from 2016 would be the equivalent of heading back into the medieval age, or so I thought. I had serious doubts about the feasibility of this challenge but decided to take the plunge anyway. Prior to navigating its menus, the J5 already feels like a breath of fresh air, with its petite form factor comfortably fitting into my hand for one-handed use. On the contrary, my Mi A2 almost demands that I hold it with two hands if I’m looking to get anything productive done.

case, but there’s nothing a bit of touching up in VSCO (photo editing app) won’t improve. The biggest — unpleasant — surprise came when I had to look up directions in Google Maps, causing the phone to lag tremendously. Even when keying in locations, it would take several seconds after my input for text to display in the search bar. This was possibly due to the J5’s old hardware struggling to render a vast area of satellite imagery in such a short time, but it was still pretty usable as long as I wasn’t in a hurry to head anywhere.

Starting out with my predominantly used app — instant messaging platform Telegram — the J5 barely skipped a beat. As mentioned above, one-handed typing became so much easier due to its size. The only inconvenience came when bringing up my various sticker packs, which the phone took several seconds to load before displaying. When it came to social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, I was greatly surprised to find the phone performing well without lag, since I had expected a massive slowdown with the sheer number of images it had to load in each app. The same applied to when watching videos on YouTube, which offered an experience almost as seamless as my regular Mi A2. Playing around with the J5’s camera, photos turned out decent but nowhere near as crisp or vibrant as those from my Mi A2. That being said, I had expected this to be the

Concluding my experience with mobile gaming, it was where the old phone really fell short. Upon launching the graphics-intensive Real Racing 3, the frame rate almost immediately fell to unbearable levels. After less than just five minutes of hopeless gameplay, I gave up and closed the app altogether. Good thing really, since as a busy university student, I don’t have much time to while away either. Final Thoughts Looking back on the past week, I was surprised at just how fast time had passed with me using the old J5, despite my initial reservations about it. It seems that unless you’re a hardcore mobile gamer, there isn’t much you can’t do with an old phone. Perhaps then, you could try to hold on to your current phone for a little longer, all while keeping yourself in closer contact with Mother Nature.

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The Dark Side of Sustainability Wo rds by A l e x Ta n Il l u s tra ti o n s by N i c o l e Ta n

D e s ig ne d b y No o r H a daina

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t seems everywhere we turn nowadays, the topic of going green crops — pardon the pun — up, with ever-greater emphasis being placed on the items we consume, as well as those we put out as byproducts. To this end, we may attempt to change our current habits by adopting new practices, or by purchasing more ecofriendly alternatives. However, getting too carried away with trying to make a change can bear negative side effects which, in the long run, can actually be more detrimental to the environment. As such, here are some examples of what not to do, as well as tips for mitigating them. To begin with, many of us tend to impulsively purchase environmentally-friendly bags, cups or utensils whenever we come across them, believing we are doing a greater good. However, problems arise when we have this mentality of buying our way out of the issue, chief of which is we are contributing to manufacturers’ emissions whenever we do so. This happens because regardless of whether said products are eco-friendly or not, energy and raw materials are still expended and consumed in order to produce them, thereby depleting the planet’s resources. While we cannot blame corporations for what they do — selling items for profit — we can send a message by cutting down on our purchases, since production is based on our demand. Moreover, by compulsively replacing our items, we inevitably have to chuck some out due to space constraints, thereby producing even more waste than if we had not purchased said items to begin with. The idea is to first and foremost “reduce”, so continuing to make do with what we have is the best way forward. As such, this is one problem we cannot simply throw our money at and expect to go away! The second point is that of advocacy where, more often than not, we end up utilizing resources to spread the word of reducing our carbon footprint. This can manifest

itself in the form of print media such as flyers, posters, and placards at campaign rallies. Just as with the products we buy, the idea is to start from ourselves, spreading the movement to others through word-of-mouth instead of the printed word. Granted, the hypocrisy of this point isn’t lost on the team behind The Buffalo Horn, since we epitomize the aforementioned example. That being said, the school magazine is a guaranteed affair coming out every Spring and Fall semester, so the idea was to make a difference by devoting this entire issue to the topic. At the very least, we can lead by example, doing our part in changing perceptions and helping to clean up Coney Island, as seen in the centerspread. It is also why we’ve uploaded every issue online (issuu.com/ubscpublications), so those who’ve missed out on a physical copy due to our reduced circulation are still able to read the magazine. Ultimately, the aim is to attain enough online readership that we’re able to cease our print edition entirely. We know these efforts are not in vain and — with great optimism — hope they inspire you to implement changes within your own lives. Crucially, it is important to realize that the aforementioned examples are merely two drops in a vast sea of counterproductive practices. The likelihood of other such behaviour manifesting in our daily lives is a distinct possibility and it is vital to step back once in a while to gain perspective. With all said and done, it’s time we examine ourselves and our actions if we’re genuinely serious about even making a dent in the iron wall of climate change. Everyone knows the adage, “change is the only constant,” but I believe it only tells part of the story since we have the ability to affect the rate at which change happens. If not, the proverbial “dark side” of sustainability will not just be limited to habitual shortcomings, but extend to our very existence.

Change is the only constant Scan me for an e-copy of The Buffalo Horn!

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Self-care Through Relationships “XXXX is doing so much better than me”

Words by Bra n do n G o h I llu st rat ions by N i c o l e Ta n

In the highly competitive culture we live in, we are often judged by our achievements. Cue the times when we get compared with family and friends, or when we see our social media feed filled with people seemingly living the high life. Because of this, it may become tempting to put on a mask for others. Of course, it doesn’t have to be that way, if we learn to appreciate the merits of our own efforts. Cue the imposter syndrome, which prevents us from focusing on our own lives and valuing what we have before us. More often than not, we let those around us dictate how we view our own lives without asking the all-important question, “What do I really want?” Clearly, embracing the imposter syndrome is not the ideal way to sustain ourselves in the long run. Overcoming this starts with building a healthy self-image. This means knowing our own identities and where we stand, and it can represent different things for different people when we recognize our life journeys as unique to ourselves. To get there, one can take several steps; the first of which is to put down our phones, or at least limit screen time. Our addiction to our smartphones means we are on social media almost 24/7. This double-edged sword keeps us connected to our loved ones but gives us plenty of exposure to the manicured online world where everything seems perfect. Prolonged periods of social media use can skew our perceptions and distract us from our real lives. No wonder we struggle so much with the imposter syndrome!

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The good news is that this vicious circle can be broken when we put that device down. When away from mind-numbing gadgets, the distractions are finally gone, leaving us space for introspection. This helps us become more intentional and focused on how we lead our lives, bringing clarity in a society constantly chasing fads. Single-minded focus in a confused world is very empowering; consider cutting down social media use and reap those benefits. Having cut back on the virtual world, the next step is to engage with people in real life. From your best friend to your favorite celebrity, everyone has their own quirks. We vary in things like personality, tastes and experiences, and we all have a story to tell. Now, imagine yourself connecting with someone who has a vastly different life from yourself: it may add that much-needed colour to your life that you never knew existed in the first place! Instead of shallow acquaintanceships, you can build genuine relationships with those around you. Keep it real; authenticity helps draw people closer to you. This puts you in good stead to keep that dangerous imposter syndrome at a distance.

“No man is an island”; we all need each other to go through the long journey that is life. Friends are not only great blessings, but they also teach us to be appreciative and to help others. In growing closer to people, we don’t just provide ourselves with a place for catharsis, but also offer others a shoulder to cry on. By leaving behind the me-centred imposter syndrome, we move from “I” to “us”, filling our hearts with wholesomeness. People say it is not the years in your life but the life in your years that count. To overcome the imposter syndrome and move into a sustainable life, we need to have a clear idea of who we are. In summary: 1.

Get off your devices and engage the world around you with a clear mind.

Pursue quality over quantity — seek connections with people, appreciate others and see the value in them.

Don’t get jealous of others’ lives — focus on improving your own. The grass isn’t greener on the other side, it’s greener where you water it.

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Words by Bra n do n G o h This issue’s show recommendations are social commentary programmes that go for substance over style. Be prepared to have your own viewpoints and what you think you know challenged in the name of self-improvement. Take heart that you will come out enlightened and thank yourself for being put through this process in the first place.

its message is relevant in light of the consumer culture of our times. Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock puts himself through a 21-day challenge to only eat at McDonald’s, in an attempt to prove a point about the fast food epidemic in America. This is not a movie for the fainthearted, as Spurlock’s experiment shows the health hazards of excessive fast food consumption and how it is inherently detrimental to one’s health. There’s dark humor aplenty as Super Size Me forays into the troubling side of the food industry. Admittedly, this is a show laced with cynicism but its message is clear: people need to become conscious consumers who are empowered to adopt more sustainable diets in the long run.

Our Planet When mentioning nature documentaries, one would probably think of exotic creatures and the various landscapes they live in. As a BBC wildlife documentary, Our Planet captures just that, complete with classic Sir David Attenborough narrations and cinematic shots. Nevertheless, it does carry the solemn message of Earth under threat from climate change, inciting viewers to take action. Not all is doom and gloom, as the documentary highlights conservation success stories as examples for the rest of the world to follow. Attenborough reminds us there is still room for change to come, with no one too passive or helpless to play a part in creating a sustainable future.

Super Size Me Fast food lovers, make sure you watch this one! Having premiered in 2004, Super Size Me is rather dated but

Trash Trail With two international entries above, Trash Trail brings the focus back to a local production. Host Jason Godfrey goes on a journey to uncover what happens to waste generated in Singapore from incineration to being recycled. Broken up into five episodes, each episode zooms in on a specific type of discarded material, such as clothing. Trash Trail provides an informative look at the whole waste management process that goes beyond Singapore’s shores. It even examines waste generated by our online data. At first glance, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the range of topics covered by Trash Trail. However, these are well covered in layman terms. For instance, Jason Godfrey even uses actual mobile phones to illustrate the volume of e-waste people generate. This show strikes a good balance between being lighthearted and its more serious message about how Singaporeans create discarded materials. With each episode lasting around 20 minutes, you can finish the entire show in just over an hour, but don’t let Trash Trail’s message fall on deaf ears, because it is a call for us to responsibly dispose of our waste.

D e s ig ne d b y No o r H a daina & D iy a nah Sy a hira h

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